One of the healthiest and tastiest things that Portuguese people eat is their Soups. Their creamy and filling and full of Vitamins. This is a Soup for people who hate to eat vegetables and who don't get enough minerals and vitamins. There are many variations so I will start with the basics.

The base for any Portuguese soup:

-1 cup cubed pumpkin or acorn squash (Portuguese use pumpkin but I bet you can use any variation of squash and it should be nice, I know it sounds weird but trust me these soups are great!)

-2 cups carrots cubed

-1 medium onion chopped

-1 cup scallions chopped

-2 medium potatoes cubed or 1 can of Beans (your choice they usualy use navy or butter beans) (use ONLY potatoes OR beans but not both)

-1 tablespoon of sea salt

-4 tablespoons olive oil

Bring a large pot of Water and salt to boil. Add all ingredients and boil until soft, add water as necessary. When all the vegetables are soft, add the olive oil and blend with a magic wand (hand blender) until smooth. This is the base.

Soup Variations

If you used beans:

-1 cup chopped artichokes or 1 cup chopped cabbage or any other vegetable you like to eat with beans. Add to the pot, and boil until soft. If you want chunks the soup is ready, if you want it creamy, blend again.

If you used potatoes:

- add whatever vegetables you want, green beans, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, peas add as much or as little as you like, all chopped into smaller pieces. You can even add more potato or carrot if you want chunks.

-If you want a creamy soup, add these vegetables and boil until soft (always adding more water as needed) and then blend again when all the vegetables are soft. The more water you use the thinner it will be, the less, the thicker it will be.

-If you want chunks in your soup, add the vegetables cut to your desired size and then boil until soft.

-Small chunks of white meat chicken can also be added for extra Protein.

Options: you can always add herbs for different taste like thyme and parsley. I sometimes use Mrs.Dash for extra flavors and fresh ground pepper; it’s a taste choice so have fun with it. Also you can use bags of frozen mixed vegetables that are already chopped up to save time and to get a better variety.

Note: These soups freeze well, I often freeze individual portions and then thaw and microwave on the day I eat them. If you make a big pot it will usually stay in the fridge for about a week, frozen about a month. I know it sounds like a lot of work but 1 pot usually makes a weeks worth of servings so if you make it on the weekend it will last all week. Most Portuguese people eat these soups for dinner because they generally have a big lunch. I also like to eat a bowl of soup with some wheat crackers and sliced lunch meat like turkey or chicken. It makes a very filling and healthy meal.

I found a great new use for Tostitos creamy spinach dip!

1/4 cup eggbeaters cooked into an omelet

warm 2 tbs creamy spinach dip and cheese of choice in microwave (I love laughing cow garlic and herb) to use as filling

My new favorite breakfast! Would be great with chopped turkey bacon and mushrooms when on solids for added Protein.

I was supposed to get a list of foods for each stage, to include mushies, but never got it. I just started the mushie stage and all I know I can eat are mashed potatoes and smashed peas. Could I get a copy of the list your doctor gave you. I have not seen anything on the interrnet with hamburger on it.

:thumbup:

Edited May 1, 200818 yr by jolaw1

jolaw1, My suggestion is simply to read a little more of this thread! there are some great ideas here, I just scaned pg. 10 and there are some yummy things there, Hamburger is difficult, but if you put in the chopper, should be good, just mix in some beef broth to make it smooth and moist. A little jar gravy on top and away you go!

yes the cheesecake pudding sounds good, but what is Cool Whip Light? some sort of cream? down under in Australia its not something ive heard of.

It's a nondairy whip topping similar to whipped cream. not a airy so it holds up better than whip cream from a can, assuming you have that? it's in a tub in the freezer section of the store. "lite" has less sugar. it's good for the calories involved.

For something a little sweet, I sprinkle a little cinammon and a packet of sweetner with my cottage cheese, put it back into the fridge for a while and then eat. It's a nice difference.

Just wanted to share this with all the people eating mushy food. I thought it was great.

1 can white meat chicken blended

2 tbl cream of chicken (low fat if you like)

2 tbl sour cream ( also low fat)

mix together and top with cheddar cheese and microwave.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

here is something I done today and I thought it was good.

1 small can chicken (don't drain)

1 can cream of broccoli soup (or you can use cr. of chick)

1/4c shredded parmasian cheese

3 heaping Tbl. riccota cheese

Italian blend shredded cheese

milk if needed

Italian bread crumbs (if wanted)

mix first four ingredients together add milk if needed to make more moist and mushy

spray or oil 4 ramikins or a baking dish

pour ingredients into dish

top with Italian bread crumbs

top with Italian blend cheese

bake 350 until bubbly and lightly brown (about 20/25 min.)

let cool 4 or 5 min and enjoy

Can't tell I like cheese can you? LOL

Hope you enjoy

YUm can i come to your place for dinner?

whey a Minute Puddin'

1/2 C cottage cheese

1/2 C apple sauce

1 scoop Body Fortress vanilla whey Protein

(add any desired spices)

mix together and eat right away or put in fridge

the more the whey powder the 'tighter" the pudding

add a little at a time until desired thickness

this goop or pudding or whatever it may be, can be a great, quick protein snack and has lots of variations size and taste

it can quell a simple chocolate crave using chocolate whey instead of vanilla or can be used with any flavor of Nector. It can even be something spiced for any holiday.

THANKS THESE ARE SUCH GREAT RECIPIES. I START MY MUSHUES IN 1 WEEK AND WILL BE ON THEN FOR 3 WEEKS. LOTS OF GREAT RECIPIES TO TRY OVER MY 3 WEEKS THANKS

how long till u go on mushies after surgery?

I had to do 2 weeka post of of liquids. They could be clear or full as long as they were a liquid. I cant wait for something that is not soup...

I'm a total chocolate junkie. . .

Tub of non-fat or light ricotta cheese

3 TBS of Splenda

1 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder (only adds 20 calories to the whole tub)

Stir like crazy and eat up!!

Soooooooo good. I swear!!

I made a banana pudding dessert yesterday that was great. I used a lg. package of sugar free instant vanilla pudding with 1% milk made up and chilled. I whipped together 1 8oz. pkg. fat free cream cheese and 1 8oz. container of fat free cool whip. I folded in the pudding then folded in three mashed bananas. Let set for at least one hour and serve. I don't know the total calories or the protein, etc. but it sure is great tasting, so much in fact that my husband and grandson ate it as well.