Category Archives: Specialized Diets

Recipes for those on restrictive, blenderized or pureed diets.

Nonfried Refried Beans

Dairy Free, Dips and Spreads, Gluten Free, Pureed, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Non-fried Re-fried Beans
Non-fried Re-fried Beans

1 lb dried pinto beans
6 cups of water
2 tsp beef bouillon
Salt (to taste)

Quick soak- Place washed and sorted beans and the water into a 3 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low for 1 hour. After 1 hour stir in the bouillon. Continue cooking the beans for 1-2 hours or until they are tender. Properly cooked beans should easily mash with the back of a spoon. Stir in salt to taste and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain the beans and reserve 1 cup of the broth.

  1. Place 3 cups of drained beans into the Vitamix.
  2. Select variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10.
  4. Blend for 30 seconds using the tamper to press the beans into the beans. Add small amounts of the bean broth to reach the desired consistency.
  5. Repeat steps 1-3 until all the beans are pureed.

Food Tip: Use them as a side dish, to make burritos, tostadas or as a base for 9-layered dip. Add them to soups and stews as a natural thickener with the added benefit of adding extra protein.

Savings Tip: Because they are inexpensive, buy beans in bulk and store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place. Under these conditions, dry beans can last up to a year. Also watch for sales in Mexican or farmer’s markets. These markets often have sales that are better than buying pre-packaged beans.

Time Tip: Cooked and pureed beans can keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. Double the recipe and freeze them in 1-3 cup size containers. When defrosted, use within 3 days. If using them as baby food, freeze them in standard ice cube trays covered in plastic wrap. Once frozen, put them into labeled and dated freezer bags for fast, fresh, individual portions.

Pureed Whole Grain Pancakes

Blenderized, Pureed, , , , , ,

All of my pureed diet recipes must pass a taste test.  I feel, if I won’t eat it, why would anyone else?  I sampled this recipe and it a tasted like an amped up Cream of Wheat.  I had one of my girls taste it and she cleaned the plate!

GE

1/3 cup of water
4 pancakes (or 4oz by weight)

  1. Add ingredients the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10.
  4. Blend for 10-15 seconds using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

Food Tip: Serving this warm with maple syrup has all of the flavor of my whole grain pancakes minus the chewing. Increase or decrease the water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.

Food Tip: If fiber needs to be restricted, use my whole grain pancake recipe but use ½ cup of oat flour, ½ cup quinoa flour and ½ cup of all purpose flour instead of the combination listed.

Money Tip: Of course you can use a prepared pancake mix or frozen pancakes but those will always more expensive.

Time Tip: As with all of my pureed recipes, any leftovers can be frozen in ice cube trays and stored in Ziploc bags for future use.

Mango Ice cream

Gluten Free, Pureed, Snacks/Desserts, , , , ,

So what do you serve for dessert when it’s 102 degrees outside?  Ice cream, of course!  This is a fresh and fruity twist on an old time favorite.  My husband likes his with a sprinkle of shredded coconut while my girls prefer it without the banana.  With the Vitamix I can make 2 servings at a time in less than a minute so everyone gets exactly what they want!

Mango Ice Cream
Mango Ice Cream

1 coconut milk (or fat free milk) cube
1 pureed cottage cheese cube
2 oz frozen banana
6 pureed mango cubes
6 pineapple cubes
(Makes 2 servings)

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase to Variable 10, then High.
4. Use Tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
5. In about 30-60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form.
6. Stop machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.

Food Tip: I have found that using frozen pureed cottage cheese cubes makes for a smoother ice cream that is higher in calcium and lower in fat than using half n half or heavy cream. This recipe is very versatile. Try mixing and matching any frozen fruit and “milks” you have to create your own healthy fruit “ice cream”.

Money tip: Buying a 3pound container of cottage cheese may seem like over kill but I use it to replace almost all of the milk products in my recipes. At Costco it only costs $4.99 whereas the 16oz container can cost $2.50 in the grocery store. After the larger container is opened it will keep for 5-7 days. Freezing a portion when it is opened will ensure freshness and minimize waste.

Time tip: Using Frozen fruit and cottage cheese cubes takes the guess work out of balancing flavor and texture. Preparation time is shorter because there is no need to measure anything. Also you won’t have to spend extra time making the ice cream trying to break down cottage cheese curds.

 

Ratatouille and Brown Rice Dinner

Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, Pureed, , , , , , , , , , , ,

I made this for the family last night and offered it to Mathew for the first time.  He was hesitant at first but, after I fed him the first spoon, it was all bright eyes and smiles!

Brown rice:
1 cup of brown rice
1 tablespoon of butter
2 cups of water
2 tsp chicken bouillon

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.

GE

Ratatouille:
½ pound each sliced yellow summer squash and zucchini (about ¼ inch thick)
½ large onion-sliced
1 medium tomato-sliced or 1 15oz can stewed tomatoes-drained
1 clove of garlic-minced
½ tsp Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp of ground pepper
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Directions: In a medium bowl, toss all vegetables EXCEPT the yellow squash in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside. In a large skillet, sauté yellow squash in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 2 minutes turning once. Add remaining vegetables and seasons to the sauté pan and stir to blend evenly. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the squash is fork tender. Turn off heat and mix in the cheese.

Sautéed Chicken Breast:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each)
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Sea salt
Ground black pepper
Dried basil leaves

Directions: In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat until shimmering. Season both sides of the chicken breasts and place in the skillet. Cover and cook about 5 minutes each side until it is firm to touch.

Puree:
1. Place 1 ½ cups of the “ratatouille”, 1 cup of the brown rice and 4oz-6oz of cooked chicken breasts into the Vitamix in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10, then High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds or until the desired consistency is reached.

GE

Food Tip: Pureed meals can seem bland because of the texture. To make it more appealing I use fresh vegetables and garlic along with a fair amount of seasons. Some individuals have digestive tract issues and/or hypersensitivity to flavors that require a bland diet. Reduce or remove the seasoning to meet their needs.

Money tip: Buying brown rice from a bulk food store like Winco’s is the best way to go. Because of the oils in it, it will keep in the pantry for about a month opened but will keep longer in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Buy only what you need based on how you will store it to avoid waste. This is a great meal to make in the summer because zucchini and yellow squash are cheaper this time of year.

Time Tip: This was dinner for the family. All I did was to puree a portion of the leftovers. The added time was about 5 minutes. Freezing them in ice cube trays and storing them in labeled Ziploc bags ensures quick well balanced meals. Defrost what you will use the next day in the refrigerator and warm it in the microwave before serving.

GE

Mellow Yellow Power Smoothie

Dairy Free, Fruit Smoothies, Gluten Free, Pureed, , , , , , , , , , , ,

I whipped this up after a trip to the gym with my husband.  He tasted it and loved it.  He suggested I add a bit of nutmeg to it and use it as a replacement for eggnog during the the holidays.  That’s saying something because he REALLY loves eggnog.  He might just have something there.  Keep your eye on my blog during the holidays.   You never know.  But for now:

GE

½ cup water
12 raw almonds
½ cup low fat cottage cheese
2/3 cup yellow squash
1/3 cup raw baby (or sliced) carrots
1 tablespoon flax seed
4 (about 4oz) frozen pureed pineapple cubes
4 (about 4oz) frozen pureed mango cubes
1TSB whey protein

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase to Variable 10, then High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds or until the desired consistency is reached.

Food Tip: This recipe makes 2 cups and contains 26 grams of protein. It is great as a post workout meal replacement. For individuals on a pureed diet or as a healthy snack, remove the whey protein and use as two 8oz servings. It’s thick enough to be eaten with a spoon even though you can drink it through a straw. The yellow squash adds vitamins and antioxidants and is very low in calories. It has a mild flavor so it blends well in any smoothie while adding to the creamy texture.

Money Tip: Yellow squash in season is very inexpensive but I prefer to grow my own because it’s fresh AND it’s free! As I have said in my fresh fruit puree entry, buying mangos in bulk when they are in season, pureeing them and freezing them is an excellent way to save money. flax seed is less expensive when buying it from a bulk food store plus you only buy what you need so it doesn’t go bad.

Time Tip: This smoothie only takes about 5 minutes to prepare and using the individual pureed fruit cubes shortens the time even more.

 

Baby Food Purees

Baby/Toddler Food, Blenderized, , , , , , ,

Baby food purees are a great place to start when you are dealing with those restricted to a pureed diet.  Whether they are special needs adults or children or just an older adult who has lost their ability to chew food, starting simple is best.  How a food looks, smell and feels is as much apart of enjoyable eating as taste is.  Each person is different.  When testing a new blended food start small.  Making a large quantity of a new food is a waste of time and money.  Some, like Matthew have a fear of trying new foods simply because they have become accustomed to drinking processed protein shakes and liquid supplements.  New tastes can be overwhelming.  Encourage 1-2 small spoonfuls but never force them.  Forcing them will only make it harder to get them to try something new the next time.  The link below is directly from Vitamix and can also be found in their whole Foods recipe book:

https://www.vitamix.com/Find-Recipes/B/A/Baby-Food-Pur%C3%A9es

Yes, it can be frustrating but don’t give up.  Please feel free to contact me if you have specific questions.  I will do my best to help you with your particular need.

Mixed Fruit “Pudding”

Baby/Toddler Food, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Pureed, , , , , ,
Orange/Banana "Pudding"
Orange/Banana “Pudding”

3 cups frozen (thawed) or fresh fruit
4 tsp Ball Instant Pectin

1. Place the fruit into the Vitamix container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for about 30 seconds or until the fruit is well blended and completely smooth.
5. Turn the machine off and remove lid.
6. Add the pectin and replace the lid.
7. Select Variable 1.
8. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 3.
9. Blend for 3 minutes.
10. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or a mason jar for 3-4 days.

Food Tip: Some fruits can cause severe allergies. It is wise to wait until a baby is at least 12 months old to try fruits like strawberries and avocados. Be sure to test them in small amounts for about a week. This recipe works well with a meal, as a snack or as a dessert for those restricted to a pureed diet. You can also blend this with a portion of applesauce. Babies and those on pureed diets can have a hard time with strong flavors.

Time Tip: Thaw any frozen fruit to be used in the refrigerator overnight for quick processing the next day.

Money Tip: When fruits are in season you can save lots of money by cleaning, preparing and freezing them yourself. Bananas are not seasonal but you can save money by peeling and freezing the “freckled” ones before they go bad and end up in the trash. Have fun experimenting with whatever fruit you have and nothing will go to waste.

Footnote:  It is summer time and I have tried this recipe with fresh peaches and nectarines.  For some reason the instant fruit pectin is not thickening it as with other fruits.  I will continue to work on other ways of thickening these and add a separate blog entry.  I am not in the habit of giving up so keep your eye on this blog for “Peach and Nectarine Fruit Pudding.

Ranch Dressing

Dips and Spreads, Gluten Free, , ,

Try this one out on your family (Shhhh! Don’t tell them what’s in it). They will fall in love with it and your cottage cheese haters will be shocked. I tried making this with a regular blender but my husband did not like it because the texture was not creamy enough. Not so with the Vitamix. I pack about a tablespoon of it in a small container and put it in his lunch with garden fresh veggies.

Ranch dressing with veggies1 cup low fat cottage cheese
½ cup milk
½ cup mayonnaise
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1. Place cottage cheese and milk into the Vitamix container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10.
4. Blend for 10 seconds or until smooth.
5. Remove lid and add mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix.
6. Secure lid and select Variable 1.
7. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 6.
8. Blend 10 seconds or until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
9. Pour into a 3 cup container and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Food tip: Using cottage cheese to replace a portion of the milk and mayonnaise reduces fat while adding calcium and protein. The cottage cheese also thickens the dressing to make it perfect for dipping vegetables instead of using sour cream. To use as a salad dressing, add enough milk to reach the desired consistency. For thicker vegetable dip use 2/3 cup of mayonnaise and 1/3 cup of milk. You can make this recipe with just cottage or a combination of cottage cheese and milk but, if you are looking for the traditional tang of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, you will want to use the mayonnaise.

Time Tip: When using the Vitamix this dressing takes about 5 minutes start to finish.

Money Tip: Hidden Valley has a 3.75oz container of this dressing mix. It is always cheaper than the individual packages and keeps well for months in the cupboard. Cottage cheese can also be bought in larger containers for a lower price and can be used in a variety of recipes to replace whole milk, cream or half and half.

Obesity in Children with Down Syndrome

Because my son has Down Syndrome, obesity in children with Down Syndrome is a great concern of mine.  Obesity in children in general is increasing and children children with Down syndrome are at an even higher risk.  There are lots of factors that contribute to this but there are also many ways to combat it.  Children with Down Syndrome often have G.I. tract, feeding, physical and developmental delays that can a healthy diet more difficult but not impossible.  Here are some things I did to help Matthew:

  • When he was able, I started him off with vegetables instead of fruits just like my typical children.  That way he didn’t get used to eating sweet foods and reject anything else.
  • I tried a wide range of fresh foods with little or no added salt or sugar.
  • I kept him as active as he was able to be.

Children with Down Syndrome are just like typical children for the most part. They will follow your lead but they will also test limits.  As with typical children, set boundaries on food and stick to them.

Mango Puree

Baby/Toddler Food, Blenderized, Pureed, ,

2 ½ cups peeled and seeded mangos

GE1. Place the mango pieces into the Vitamix Container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then High.
4. Blend for 20 seconds.
5. Pour into ice cube trays, cover with plastic wrap and freeze.
6. Store cubes in labeled and dated Ziploc freezer bags.

Ready to freeze
Ready to freeze

Food Tip: Freezing chopped fruit like mangos and pineapples without pureeing them first is a problem because the pieces stick together. Freezing blackberries and raspberries whole is ok but, if you love them in your smoothies but don’t like the seeds, pureeing them first is the answer.  To use as baby food:  Defrost only what you need and introduce new fruits to your baby’s diet to watch for allergies.

Money Tip: Buy fruit in large quantities when they are in season and freeze them. Mangos that are not in season can cost $1 each. Buying mangos from your local Mexican or farmer’s market when they are in season (especially here in California) can cost you as little as 25 cents each!  Homemade fruit puree is not only better for your baby but very inexpensive.

Time Tip: Pureed fruit cubes are perfect at smoothie making time. Open up a bag and grab as many of these perfectly portioned cubes as you need. They are all about 1 ounce so you’ll never spend time guessing how much you have. The individual cubes don’t stick together so you’ll never have to go in search of a hammer to break up your mango iceberg again!

Ready to use
Ready to use