Protein Artist

Category: 4 oz Bariatric Meal Ideas

  • Seitan Tomato Alfredo, 28 grams protein per 4 ounce meal.

    Seitan Tomato Alfredo, 28 grams protein per 4 ounce meal.

    seitan fettuccine
    Cutting seitan into fettuccine strips.

    This is a wholesome vegetarian dish that can be prepared in advance and frozen.

    Directions:


    Directions:

    alfredo tomato sauce
    alfredo tomato sauce
    • Combine all ingredients except for seitan and boil in a saucepan on medium.
    • Next, roll the seitan dough into an oblong sausage-shape.
    • Begin slicing very thin strips.
    • Then, slice every strip into half, lengthwise.
    • They should look like very thin flat worms.
    • Drop seitan fettuccine strips into saucepan.
    • Simmer on low for 15 minutes, stirring once per minute.
  • Seitan Scallion Stir-Fry, 26 grams protein

    Seitan Scallion Stir-Fry, 26 grams protein

    Seitan Scallion Stir-Fry
    Be brave! This recipe tastes like Chinese crispy fried dumplings .

    Do you miss eating Chinese food now that you are sticking to a post-op puree diet?

    See Basic Seitan Instructions.

    Ingredients:

    Directions:

    • Mix 2 ounces water with salt and garlic powder.
    • Add in 2 ounces Bob’s Red Mill Vital Gluten Flour (23g).
    • Kneed seitan dough until all water is absorbed.
    • In a saucepan, boil 4 ounces chicken broth (3g)
    • Tear small m&m-sized pieces of seitan and drop into broth.
    • Add:
      • ½ teaspoon soy sauce
      • 1 finely chopped scallion
    • Cook on medium until broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
    • Cook an extra ten minutes until seitan turns golden.
    • Serve immediately.

    Suggestions:

    • Texture will be doughy and soft. Chew well.
    • It is helpful to have a plate warmer to keep the meal hot until you finish eating.

     

  • Marinated Mozzarella Omelette, 14 grams protein

    Marinated Mozzarella Omelette, 14 grams protein

    marinated mozzarella ballsHave you seen these containers of marinated mozzarella balls at the gourmet cheese isle in your supermarket?  Here’s one quick way to add 4 grams of protein to your meal with just one ounce of mozzarella.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 ounce (or two small balls) marinated mozzarella (4)
    • 1 egg (6g)
    • 1 ounce shredded mozzarella (4g)
    • Salt & Pepper to taste.


    Directions:

    • IMG_1780Spray small frying pan with oil spray.
    • Heat the mozzarella balls on a medium flame until half melted.
    • Pour in one egg, scrambled.
    • Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
    • Flip over to thoroughly cook eggs.
    • Do not overcook, or it will be hard to chew the mozzarella when crispy.
  • Lemongrass Soy Crumbles in Marinara Cream Sauce, 15.5 grams protein for 4 oz meal

    Lemongrass Soy Crumbles in Marinara Cream Sauce, 15.5 grams protein for 4 oz meal

    lemongras soy crumbles with marinara cream sauce15.5 grams protein Meal:

    • 2 ounces Lemongrass Soy Crumbles (11g)
    • 1 ounce Marinara Cream Sauce (1g)
    • 1 ounce shredded Cheese (3.5g) [skip if you are lactose intolerant]

    Recipe:

    Marinara Cream Sauce

    Total 32 oz sauce = 34/32=1.0625 g per ounce of sauce

    marinara cream sauce ingredients for lemongrass soy crumbles and marinara cream sauce lemongrass soy crumbles

    Lemongrass Soy Crumbles:

    •  1 1/2 teaspoons Gourmet Garden Lemongrass paste
    • ½ cup marinara cream sauce (recipe above)
    • 1 tablespoon mustard
    • two tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 package Lightlife Smart Ground Veggie Protein Crumbles, Original
      (2 ounces = 11g )

    Directions: 

    • Prepare marinara cream sauce by boiling all ingredients in a large saucepan on medium, stirring constantly until sauce bubbles.
    • Next, spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil spray.
    • Combine lemongrass soy crumbles liquid ingredients and stir until blended.
    • Crumble the soy into the pan and stir well.
    • Crumbles should brown after 3-5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Prepare meal as described, and store remaining sauce in ice cube trays for future meals.

    Suggestions:

    • Combine crumbles with cheese and sauce with every spoonful and chew thoroughly to preserve your puree requirements.
    • It is helpful to have a plate warmer to keep the meal hot until you finish eating.
  • Tuna Omelette, 16.5 grams of protein per 4 oz meal

    Tuna Omelette, 16.5 grams of protein per 4 oz meal

    tuna omelette Before RNY, I prepared portions of tuna blended with pickle juice and greek yogurt.  It totaled to 10g of protein per 2 oz portion.  Here I used one portion of the tuna puree to make a breakfast omelette by mixing it up in a pot with 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese and one ounce eggbeaters. The results: A yummy pureed meal with 16.5 grams of protein!

  • Taco Meal Puree, 13 grams protein per 4 oz meal

    Taco Meal Puree, 13 grams protein per 4 oz meal

    Taco Meal Puree, 13 grams protein Ingredients:

    • 1 cup red kidney beans  (2oz@9g=36g)
    • ½ cup great northern beans   (2oz@8g=16g)
    • ½ cup barley   (2oz@3g=6g)
    • 12 cups water
    • 4 oz. (4 cubes) minced onions
    • 1 ½ cups (12 oz.) cooked chicken [chicken in water can: 2oz@10g=60g]
    • taco seasoning packet
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    Directions:

    1. In a large pot, combine beans and water.  Boil on a high flame and lower to medium after 5 minutes.
    2. After one hour, add:  onions and chicken.
    3. After 30 minutes, add taco seasoning packet and spices.
    4. Cook for ten more minutes.
    5. Mix in food processor until pureed.

    Yields: 56-60  oz , or  7.5 cups of taco mixture. Divide into 28 2oz servings @ 4.21 grams protein each. Serving Suggestion for a 13 gram protein Taco Meal:

    • 2 oz Taco Puree (4.21g)
    • 2 oz Shredded Part-Skim Cheese (8g)
    • 1 Tablespoon Guacamole (1/2 gram of protein)
  • Egg-n-Cheese Omelette, 14 gram protein per 4 oz breakfast meal

    Egg-n-Cheese Omelette, 14 gram protein per 4 oz breakfast meal

    cheese_omelet

    Ingredients:

    • 1 egg (6g)
    • 2 ounce shredded cheese  (8g)
    • ¼ ounce sauteed onions (one cube sliced into four slivers)
    • salt & pepper to taste

    Yields: One Egg-n-Cheese  Omelette at 14 gram protein per 4 oz breakfast meal.

  • Falafel Balls and Dill Dip, 16 grams protein per 4 oz puree lunch meal

    Falafel Balls and Dill Dip, 16 grams protein per 4 oz puree lunch meal

    falafel balls
    4 Falafel Balls + Greek Dill Dip

    This delicious lunch is perfect for preparing the night before for a grab-n-go high protein lunch meal.  Do not fry the mixture as directed on the box.  Skip Greek Dill Dip if you are lactose intolerant.

    Directions:

    • Falafel balls in baking pan
      Falafel balls in baking pan

      Prepare mix with water as directed.

    • Spray baking pan with oil spray.
    • Form small 1/2 ounce balls (measure as a heaping teaspoon, or half a shot glass) and place on pan.
    • Spray all the balls again with oil spray.
    • Bake on 450 for 15 minutes. Flip balls, and bake for another 5 minutes.

    falafelmixA $6.00 box of Falafel Mix will yield 24 balls (enough for six meals).  This freezes very well, and defrosts while you are at work.   Falafel Mix is available in your supermarket’s Kosher or Ethnic isle.

     

  • Traditional Gefilte Fish, 9 grams protein per 3 oz serving

    Traditional Gefilte Fish, 9 grams protein per 3 oz serving

    gefilte fish with dill dipGefilte Fish is a traditional Jewish food.   This is a very easy meal to prepare and packed with high protein.  Gefilte Fish is ground up white fish sold in frozen rolls.  It is suggested that the rolls is cooked in water with sugar and spices.  Skip Greek Dill Dip if you are lactose intolerant.

    For the bariatric puree stage, it is best to purchase one unsweetened roll of gefilte fish from your supermarket’s freezer isle.  Allow the roll to defrost, and place raw mixture into ice cube trays so that each cube will be one ounce.  Freeze for several hours. before cooking as directed:

    Directions: 

    • Slice one large onion into four slices and place in 8 quart pot.
    • Add frozen cubes to pot.
    • Cover with 4 quarts cold water.
    • 1/4 cup articifical sweetener
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 3/4 teaspoon white pepper
    • Cook for 1 1/2 hours on medium.

    Allow to cool and store in airtight containers, 3 cubes per container. Divide the broth into all the portions.  Traditionally served chilled, may also be enjoyed warm.

    Yields: 7-8 portions of 3 oz servings, 9 grams protein per serving.

    Serving Suggestion:

    As shown on photograph, serve 3 ounces of gefilte fish (9g) with 1 ounce Greek Dill Dip (3g) for a 12 gram protein meal.  The broth and dill dip will help with the chewing, making this a perfect protein sweat and savory meal in the pureed stages.

  • Tuscan Omelette, 20 grams protein per 4 oz meal

    Tuscan Omelette, 20 grams protein per 4 oz meal

    Tuscan Omelette, 20 oz. protein per 4 oz meal

    Ingredients:

    • 1 egg (6g)
    • 1 ounce feta cheese (6g)
    • 1 ounce shredded cheese (8g)
    • 1 teaspoon bruschetta from jar
    • ¼ ounce minced onions (1/4 slice from one ounce cubes)
    • salt & pepper to taste

    Directions: 

    • DirectionsSpray small frying with oil.
    • On medium heat, combine feta cheese, minced onions and bruschetta, cook until bubbling.
    • Add egg, salt, pepper, and shredded cheese
    • Mix or flip until cooked, about two minutes.

    Yields:  One portion of Tuscan omelette at 20 grams protein.