Queen of the Mush!
I've come to the conclusion I am Queen of Mush and I am running out of ways to hold my title! One of my husband's injuries from Iraq included the removal of his lower right mandible; in English they took his jaw bone out on the lower right side because it was blown to smithereens, put a bar in it's place and are now trying to rebuild the jaw so he can then have tooth implants put in and have teeth (for the one commentor who on my last post wondered what I do with my energy, his care takes up a huge amount of it.....'nuff said!).
In the mean time, eating a "normal" diet has not been an option. Loaded baked potatos, soups and casseroles that are soft are the make up of our menu. We eat more instant mashed potatos and pudding and yogurt and smoothies and slim-fast than any family I know! However, after the past 2+ years we are getting really tired of all this (not to mention it makes you gain weight LOL).
I realize, I could make my husband a separate meal but then it is the time thing; with 5 people and work and church and his work and kids activities, who wants to cook twice? Last night my youngest daughter looked at me and said , "Mom you are queen of the mushy meals!" I don't think she meant it as an official title but it sure was funny!
So if you have any VERY unique soft food recipes, this family sure would love a change. I can make a wicked tofu smoothie, a grand shepards pie, a great chicken enchilada w/ ground chicken but it is getting VERY boring. Barley soup, potatoes w/ herbs and cheese and garlic and soft pasta dishes we've done. What we need is rare and fancicul stuff! We are dying for a gastronomic delight that needs only half a mouth of teeth to be enjoyed. Anyone got some great ideas?
Blessings to All!!!!!
About Me
- mrssaf
- Mrred 22 years to Terry and the US Army. Recently we retired and are learning how to do that :-)Mom to 3 amazing adult (or almost) children and one amazing daughter in law!
8 comments:
Hey Colleen,
never thought about your dh's food intake until now. LOL...have you tried making something "normal" and grinding it for dh? like, make a lasagna, and put it in the blender for him? not sure how it would taste, but maybe it would work?
GEn
Hi Colleen~
Just wanted you to know that my son was over in Iraq (and Kuwait for over 15 months) and we praise God that he only suffered a broken arm. His battle buddy was critically injured while standing right next to him. He's been home but is headed back soon.
Don't know if your hubby can eat chicken...however I have a recipe where it is slow-baked for 2 1/2 hours so it's VERY soft. Would that work? juliesjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Hey, Colleen, this is Lisa (AmazedByGrace) from Titus2. How about this book? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0897934008/103-5613601-6283047?v=glance&n=283155
It looks pretty interesting to me!
Hi, Colleen, found a couple of other things.
CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP
1 lb. fresh asparagus spears
1 medium onion -- diced
1 Tbsp butter
3 cups chicken stock
1 medium potato -- peeled and diced (I believe he actually shredded it, with a cheese grater)
1 rib celery -- chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried thyme
1 cup cream (I use milk)
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
Preparation Instructions:
Soak and rinse asparagus. Remove top 1 inch of each spear, discard tough lower part, reserving middle portion of stalks. In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion in butter for 3 to 5 minutes or until translucent. Add chicken stock, asparagus tips and stems, potato, celery, thyme, and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to
low and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Remove asparagus tips and set aside. Place half of the soup at a time in a blender container. Cover and blend at high speed for 20 to 30 seconds or until very smooth. Pass through a fine sieve and return blended soup to saucepan. Add reserved asparagus tips and cream (or half and half, or milk) and heat thoroughly, or refrigerate to be served cold.
Serves 4
NOTES : Half & half or milk may be substituted for the cream if fat content is a concern, although it won't taste quite as good. Be sure to adjust the seasoning after you add the cream (or half & half, or milk), especially if you plan to serve it cold.
Or how about these ideas?
Buy pre washed spinach, wilt in a covered saucepan with a few tablespoons of water. Drain in colander, cool. Chop and season with garlic, oil and vinegar and salt. Serve with main course.
Or
Fry the pre washed spinach in oil until wilted, add crushed garlic and salt, cook until wilted, very quickly. This method is faster and and the combination of oil, garlic and spinach is very tasty especially if you are having soup too. The spinach is slightly astringent so you the oil doesn't make it greasy it's a good combination.
Anyway that's an old Italian dish, and I had this dish the fried one after surgery and now I realize garlic and spinach goes with everything. Yes this is only one a side dish, but sometimes you need good sides. You can also make a Tarte/Quiche, which no crust, just the custard flavored with garlic and salt and pepper, add the chopped spinach and some tomatoes and cheese to the bottom of your pie pan, cover with any quiche custard (3 or 4 eggs and milk) and bake. You don't need the crust. Some leave our the milk completely as they prefer an eggy custard.
Lisa (AmazedByGrace)
Ooops, looks like that link didn't work so well. If you want to see the book, look it up at Amazon. The title is: The I-Can't-Chew Cookbook: Delicious Soft Diet Recipes for people with chewing, swallowing and dry mouth disorders.
Lisa
Thanks for all your input ladies I truly appreciate it.
sounds like your eating some fatty (starchy) foods instead of the really healthy stuff: meat & 2 vegatables & fruits. Crock pots or Counter top Roasters are great for breaking down meats, especially Crock Pots. I have 2-4 crock pots i line up and just plug in for a particular meat,vegatable, etc. Thanksgiving is a hoot with all my crock pots (6) lined up while i watch tv all day or visit with friends!
George Foreman Grills are great for keeping the juice in a meat to be cut small & chewed easily.
And finally, Frozen Meals are great just add a simple salad & fruit. Since the adults don't need the same food intake (we don't burn it up as fast as kids) you can cook other foods for the rest of the family. Or how about nights of the weeks for kid's choice then another night of the week for Dad's choice.
You can do it. Hang in there.
MK
Whatever you do, don't put potato salad in a blender! WE tried that one time when my brother's mouth was sore from getting his braces tightened. It turns into quite an interesting science project, a gloppy, springy, playdoah, rubbery thing.
Sorry-I'm not much help. But I have been praying for your family! You have your share of challenges
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