Quici - Think Outside the Blender: Great-Tasting and Healthy Recipes for Dysphagia Diets

Introduction

Welcome to the next generation of pureed food! I created these recipes for anyone who needs to eat soft/blended food. I understand the frustration of seeing the same bland, unappetizing food on your plate day after day. You don't need to eat processed food from a can!

My recipes use fresh ingredients and whet your appetite with vibrant colors and enticing flavors and aromas. They are heart-healthy, simple and quick to prepare. Several do not even require a blender. Many are gluten-free, dairy-free and have no cholesterol.

To access more recipes and information on dysphagia, visit: www.dysphagiadietrecipes.com.

A special Thank You to Heather Boucher and Phil Cockfield who were both instrumental in helping me share these recipes with the online community.

Copyright 2013 Maria Quici, Kitchen Q

Disclaimer

The author makes no representation that home preparation of these recipes is suitable for all individuals. The information presented is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any health related condition or to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with your physician, dietician/nutritionist and/or speech-language pathologist for any questions or concerns regarding your individual diet needs, restrictions or texture modifications.

Think Outside the Blender

How to make great-tasting and healthy pureed food

- Spice it up with no-salt seasonings such as: garlic, lemon zest, thyme, turmeric, ginger, cumin or cinnamon - adjust to your taste.

- Look for foods that are naturally soft in texture like polenta, avocados and ricotta cheese.

- Potatoes, yams and various squashes (acorn, butternut) become very soft and easily mashed when baked - just add a little seasoning.

- Vary the temperature of foods, for example try gazpacho soup which is served chilled, as are fruit and yogurt smoothies; some fruits can easily be blended and frozen.

- Use a variety of colors on your plate, for instance top food with a bright red tomato sauce or a deep green pesto; or use baked yams instead of regular white potatoes.

- Experiment with food molds of various shapes and sizes to add height and interest to whatever food you are preparing.

- Canned beans such as cannellini, kidney, pinto and/or black beans - rinsed, drained and heated - are easily mashed and are a good source of protein with no cholesterol.

- Don't forget about presentation; take care to arrange food on the plate, add garnish (remove before eating) or use different colored dishware to make food look more appetizing.

Use these suggestions and your own imagination, have fun in your kitchen and

Think Outside the Blender!

For information regarding your individual diet needs, check with your doctor, registered dietician and/or speech-language pathologist.

Breakfast

Breakfast should be something you look forward to when you get up in the morning. There are many ways to incorporate fruit, yogurt and oatmeal into your breakfast meal. You will also find some non-traditional breakfast foods like yams and sweet potatoes - all healthy options to get your day off to a good start.

Strawberry Stacks

I love strawberries! Look for berries that are in season, organic and locally grown if possible.

4-5 medium strawberries, stems removed and chopped

1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt (I find that Greek yogurt holds its shape well for this recipe)

1 serving of your favorite oatmeal

Make the oatmeal and let cool, set aside. Blend strawberries in blender/food processor until smooth (or use immersion blender). Fold blended strawberries into yogurt. Using a small, round food mold, place a few spoonfuls of oatmeal into bottom of mold and press down with spoon to make an even layer. Top with a few spoonfuls of yogurt/berry mixture. Carefully lift away mold and enjoy.

Apple Cinnamon Swirls

If you like the combination of apples and cinnamon, youll love this! Check the applesauce label for gluten-free (or be adventurous and make your own see recipe under Sides).

1 medium sweet potato, baked, cooled, peeled and mashed

1 tsp applesauce

light dusting of cinnamon

Spread room temperature mashed sweet potato onto parchment paper, creating a 4 inch by 6 inch rectangle with the longer side towards you, about 1/4 inch thick. Spread applesauce on top. Shake a little cinnamon on top of that. Lift up the long side of the rectangle and slowly start to roll it over, using a spatula to peel it away from the parchment paper. Move onto plate. Dust with a little more cinnamon. Slice and serve.

Maple Walnut Swirls

Another great-tasting recipe using simple ingredients. The walnuts and maple syrup are a wonderful flavor combination. Pure maple syrup is pretty strong (and has no corn syrup), so you only need a little bit.

1 medium sweet potato, baked, cooled, peeled and mashed

1 tsp pure maple syrup

3 Tbsp walnuts, finely ground in food processor

Use the same method for laying out the mashed sweet potato as in previous recipe. This time, spread a layer of finely ground walnuts on top, followed by a drizzle of maple syrup. The pure maple syrup is very sweet, a little goes a long way. Lift the edge of the sweet potato rectangle up and over, carefully peeling away the parchment paper to create your roll. Move to plate. Drizzle with a little more syrup. Slice and serve.

Jammin Oatmeal Bars

If you have a sweet-tooth like me, youll love these! Use gluten-free oats if needed.

1 serving of your favorite oatmeal (cooked)

1-2 tsp your favorite jam (smooth)

Spread oatmeal evenly onto a small square dish (around 5x5) or form into a square on a flat plate and allow it to come to room temperature. Cut into 4 equal bars. Top each with jam.

Cooking tip: quick oats are cut smaller than regular, rolled oats and will have a smoother texture when cooked.

Banana Yogurt Parfait

Little bites of pure bliss! Use the back of a fork to press through the banana. Ripe bananas work best.

1 banana, peeled and mashed

plain yogurt

honey or agave

cinnamon

Layer banana then a spoonful of yogurt in parfait cup. Drizzle with honey or agave. Lightly dust with cinnamon.

Cooking tip: plain yogurt has much less sugar than fruit-flavored yogurt.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal doesnt have to be boring. With all the health benefits, its worth taking another look. There are many ways to jazz it up to get your morning off to a good start. Personally, I like it with brown sugar and cinnamon, however, lately Ive been adding applesauce, too. If you buy packaged rolled, quick or steel cut oats, follow the directions on the package. You can also buy oats in bulk which costs less and uses less packaging better for you and the planet.