Protein Artist

Category: Chicken, Beef, Turkey

  • Liver Pate Appetizer Cups, 18.6 grams protein, 237 calories

    Liver Pate Appetizer Cups, 18.6 grams protein, 237 calories

    IMG_2775Not only are these the fanciest little appetizers on the block, but your co-workers will envy your meal options. The dried fruit adds a sweet touch, topped with crispy onions for an exotic and tasteful meal.  You will almost forget that you are eating organ meat.

    Ingredients:

    • 12 ounces Chicken Liver Pate (63.48g, 531c)
    • 12 won-ton wrappers from package (.75g,20c*12=9g,240c)
    • ½ cup chopped dates (2g, 240c)
    • ¼ cup  French Fried Onion, crushed (180c)

    Directions:

    Spray a large muffin pan with oil spray.  Press a wonton wrapper into each muffin cup.

    Drop one heaping tablespoon of liver pate into each cup.
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    Evenly divide chopped dates, pressing lightly into the liver mixture.
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    Top with crushed french fried onion.
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    Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Allow to cool.
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    Serve warm, room temperature, or cold after refrigerating.

    Yields: 12 appetizers, roughly 1 ounce each.  Serving size: 3 pieces at 18.6 grams protein, 237 calories

  • Chicken Liver Pate, 5.3 grams protein per ounce, 44.25 calories

    Chicken Liver Pate, 5.3 grams protein per ounce, 44.25 calories

    Eating organ meat sounds gross, and believe me, it looks gross. However, it tastes amazing, and works as a high protein schmear on lettuce rolls or other veggies.  A four-ounce serving is a whopping 21 grams protein, 177 calories.

    Ingredients: 

    • 1 pack (20 oz) chicken livers (140g,980c)
    • 6 ounces (cubes) sauteed onions  (.6g, 180c)
    • ¼ cup soymilk (2.5g, 35c)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper

    Directions:

    Bake chicken livers in oven on 500 degrees.
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    After 15 minutes, drain juices and flip livers to the other side.  Bake for ten more minutes. Mix with rest of ingredients in food processor.

    Yields: 27 ounces, 5.3 grams protein per ounce, 44.25 calories.

  • Roast Beef Hash Cups with Protein, and Necessary Carbs and Fats

    Roast Beef Hash Cups with Protein, and Necessary Carbs and Fats

    IMG_2613The rutabaga is the secret in this recipe. It will lend a starchy and earthy taste which will work like a potato but deliver healthy and necessary carbohydrates instead.  The apple and orange will add a zesty flavor to balance the spices, creating a very savory hash bite.  These taste amazing when warm, or room temperature after defrosting from the freezer in time for your lunch break.

    Post-op patients must remember to add necessary carbs and fats on top of their protein, in order to break down the protein with body fat rather than muscle mass.  Read more about tricking your body with necessary carbs and fats for post-op.

    Ingredients:

    • 10 slices roast beef deli (50g, 300g)
    • ¼ rutabaga, or 100 grams (1.1g,38c)
    • ½ sweet potato (1g, 56c)
    • 1 small apple  (.3g,58c)
    • 1 medium orange  (.9g,45c)
    • 3 eggs  (18g, 210c)
    • 4 ounces fine cornmeal (8g,355c)
    • 6 ounces Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese (36g, 360c)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil (360c)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Directions:

    • Preheat oven to 425.
    • Peel and finely shred the rutabaga, apple, and sweet potato.
    • Peel and quarter the orange by hand.
    • Add all ingredients into food processor and mix until roast beef is chopped.
    • In a mini muffin pan, add 1 teaspoon finely grated shredded cheese to each muffin cup. Firmly press with fingers until it resembles a pie crust.
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    • Place a heaping teaspoon of mixture into each cup.  Evenly divide the mixture and juices between the entire pan.  With your fingers, press the leftover mixture to form high peaks above the cups. It will settle to half in the baking process.
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    • Bake at 425 for 30 minutes.
    • Remove pan from oven and lightly spray all the cups with oil spray.
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    • Return to oven to finish baking for 15 more minutes.
    • Allow to cool, and divide into 2 ounce portions, 3 mini bites.

    Yields: 36 mini bites, or 12 servings of 3 mini bites each, at 2 ounces. Each 2 ounce portion has 9.5 grams protein, 149 calories

  • Egg and Meat Muffin Cups, 14 grams protein, 129 calories

    Egg and Meat Muffin Cups, 14 grams protein, 129 calories

    3 minim muffins with 1 ounce topping
    3 minim muffins with 1 ounce topping

    If you are having a productive day and want to cook meals for the week, this gluten-free and flourless muffin recipe will be your perfect investment of your time. I love to prepare these in little containers and then eat them throughout the week for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner; whatever catches my fancy.  It tastes like a meat stew in a cup, or maybe even a breakfast corned beef hash in a muffin.  Enjoy it fresh and warm, cold, or room temperature at work.  The topping will taste a bit like vegetable cream cheese, and will add just the right amount of glide for chewing.  You won’t even miss your bagel.

    If you are lactose-intolerant, just

    Ingredients:

    • 6 eggs  (36g,420c)
    • ½ cup shredded cheese (14g, 160c) [skip if you are lactose intolerant].
    • 4 ounces deli or cooked corned beef (24g, 160c)
    • ¼ cup salsa  (20c)
    • 1 green pepper  (1.8g, 40c)
    • ½ Large onion  (1g, 20c)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¾ teaspoon black pepper

    Topping: Skip if you are lactose intolerant.

    Note: with ¾ teaspoons black pepper, this will be very savory.  You can use ½ teaspoon instead if you like your food mildly spicy.

    Directions:

    • Mix topping ingredients and place in refrigerator to set.
    • preheat oven to 350.
    • Chop everything in food processor and pour into muffin pan.
    • For a larger muffin pan, pour 2 ounces per cup.  The cups should be ¾ full.
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    • For a mini muffin pan, 2 ounces will fit into three cups. The cups will be nearly full.
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    • Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes.
    • Remove from pan and allow to cool.
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    • Top two 2-ounce muffins with ½ ounce of topping each (about 1 tablespoon).
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    • Store each muffin in a GladWare Mini Round Food Storage Containers.
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    • Store in refrigerator, and take to work the next day.  Can be eaten at room temperature.

    Yields:

    • 7 servings of 4 ounces muffins, total 11 grams protein, 114 calories.
    • Greek Yogurt topping: 3 grams protein, 15 calories
    • Total meal of muffin with topping: 14 grams protein, 129 calories
  • Turkey Teriyaki Lunch Rolls, 17 grams protein, 115 calories

    Turkey Teriyaki Lunch Rolls, 17 grams protein, 115 calories

    This will be extremely juicy and moist, and will be absolutely no problem to chew and swallow without drinking. You will be surprised how much the teriyaki makes the greek yogurt taste disappear and melt into an amazing dressing. One roll should suffice as a 4 ounce meal.

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    Ingredients:

    • 1 ounce greek yogurt  (3g,15c)Lawry's Teriyaki with Pineapple
    • 2 teaspoons Lawry’s Teriyaki with Pineapple (20c)
    • 2 slices deli turkey breast  (14g,80c)
    • 1 large lettuce leaf
    • 2 thin red pepper strips (red and yellow)

    Prepare your sandwich roll:

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    • Mix the greek yogurt with the teriyaki.
    • Spread ⅓ mixture over a large flat lettuce leaf.
    • Add one slice turkey deli.
    • Spread ⅓ of the mixture over the turkey slice.
    • Lay 2 slices of pepper vertically.
    • Add the second slice of turkey deli
    • Spread the remaining ⅓ of yogurt mixture.
    • Begin to fold the roll. Bend the north/south ends inward, and roll the west end towards the east end.
    • Store in a re-usable deli container or zip-lock bag.

     

  • OMG Beef Crumble with Tomato Gravy, Bariatric Chewable Meat Meal, 9 grams protein per 4 ounce meal

    OMG Beef Crumble with Tomato Gravy, Bariatric Chewable Meat Meal, 9 grams protein per 4 ounce meal

    IMG_2397This is my recipe for OMG Beef Crumble, named so because of how soft and easy it is to eat this.  I’m not kidding; this will melt in your mouth. Before you know it, you will be done with this portion.  There is almost no chewing involved, which makes this perfect for after weight loss surgery and the puree stages.   As a side note, I made it to Onederland today! 

    Meat Crumble:

    • 8 oz Ground beef (20% fat) (36g,640c)
    • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (7.5g,175c)
    • ½ green pepper, finely chopped (4 ounces)  (.9g, 20c)
    • 2 scallions  (1g, 20c)
    • 3 teaspoons chopped ginger (6c)
    • 1 Beef frank (6g, 150c)

    Mix in food processor.  Spray a large sheet of parchment paper with oil spray. Place mixture on parchment paper and roll into log shape. Pinch corners and twist the two ends in opposite directions.  Place roll into a 9×13 rectangular baking pan. Bake at 425. After 30 minutes, open the parchment paper and pat the mixture flat across the entire pan. Bake for 15 more minutes.

    Yields 18 ounces of meat crumble. (6 * 3 ounce portions, 8.71g, 171c each)

    Tomato Gravy

    In a saucepan, combine:

    • 1 can chopped tomatoes with green chiles (or plain chopped tomatoes) (2.5g, 50c)
    • 1 can chicken broth (0g, 50c)
    • 4 tablespoons ketchup (80c)
    • 3 ounces sauteed onions  (.3g, 90c)

    Cook on high until sauce bubbles. Lower heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are soft.  Blend.

     

    Serve 3 ounces of OMG Beef Crumble with 1 ounce Tomato Gravy for a 9 gram protein meal.

  • Potstickers Cream Soup, 17 grams protein, 119 calories

    Potstickers Cream Soup, 17 grams protein, 119 calories

    IMG_2340Post-op bariatric weight loss meals often skip the doughy ingredients.  Why should you cheat yourself on the flavor though?   Try this potstickers recipe and do submit comments if you added a zesty ingredient for added flavor.  I suggest you make half the recipe on your first try.  Freeze the leftovers in pre-measured containers.

    Boil in large pot:

    • 8 cups lite chicken broth (from 32-ounce carton*)  (8g, 40c)
    • 2 cups water
    • 8 ounces chopped portabella mushrooms  (3g, 21c)
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce  (1c, 11c)
    • ½ teaspoon white pepper
    • 1 tablespoon salt

    In food processor, chop and mix:

    • 2 pounds ground chicken breast*  (208g, 960c)
    • 1 egg (6g, 70c)
    • 1 cup shredded green cabbage  (.9g, 17c)
    • ⅓ cup scallions (4 medium)  (1.8g, 32c)
    • ½ green pepper, finely chopped (4 ounces)  (.9g, 20c)
    • 4 teaspoons chopped gingerroot (6c)
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (.4g, 4c)
    • 2 teaspoons oil (120c)
    • ½  teaspoon white pepper
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce  (1g, 11c)
    greekcreamcheese
    Greek Cream Cheese

    Directions:

    • Drop ½ teaspoonful of chicken mixture into boiling broth.
    • Cook for ten minutes.
    • Add 8 ounces Greek Cream Cheese. (32g, 480c)
    • Cook for ten more minutes until cream cheese is dissolved.

    Yields: 15 portions of 2 ounces chicken with 4 ounces broth.

    • Garnish with chopped scallions.
    • * You may use darker chicken tops which have are juicer and is easier to chew.
    • ** You may use homemade broth for extra protein at 6 grams per cup, compared to store-bought cartons which have 1 gram per cup.
  • Refried Bean Beef Soup, 11 gram protein meal

    Refried Bean Beef Soup, 11 gram protein meal

    This soup is thick with lovely textures and high in nutrients.   I like to add a tablespoon of avocado cubes into the soup, so you can freeze the cubes with the soup portions; It will not turn brown, so long as it is covered in liquid while freezing. Refried Bean Soup

    Ingredients: 

    • 4 Tablespoons Green Chili Peppers (10c)
    • 1 medium tomato (1g, 22c)
    • 1 small onion (1g, 20c)
    • 8 oz Ground beef (20% fat) browned with ½ packet taco seasoning (36g, 640c)
    • 1 (16 oz) Can refried beans (24g, 400c)

    Directions:

    Finely chop ingredients in food processor.

    Add to saucepan with:

    • 2 cups clear chicken broth (12g, 172c).
    • ½ packet taco seasoning
    • 1 can (11 oz) Mexican style corn with red & green peppers, or plain can corn corn (8g,320c)

    Boil on medium for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Yields: 9 portions, 4 ounces each  (9 grams protein per portion, 176 calories).
    Serve with 1 ounce shredded cheese (2 grams protein) for a 11 gram protein meal.

  • Tomato Meat Pies – 20 grams protein,173 calories per 4 ounce meal

    Tomato Meat Pies – 20 grams protein,173 calories per 4 ounce meal

    So moist, so chewable, so easy to make! Crumbles in your mouth.

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    Are you tired of chewing restaurant meals? Make an exotic meal from scratch, and have it ready in advance by freezing these prepared slices raw and baking them in the oven as needed. It only took 40 minutes. Grams of protein are marked with a “g” followed by a “c” for calories.

    Meat mixture:

    • ¼ shredded cheese (7g, 80c)
    • 1 egg (6g, 70c)
    • ½ cup Prego Meat Sauce (2g, 90c)
    • 1 Lb. Turkey, Lean Ground (4 oz = (22g, 160c * 5 = 110g, 800c)

    1 Chopped Green Chili for garnish, optional
    1 large tomato (size of a hamburger patty)
    1 large onion (size of a hamburger patty)

    Directions:

    1. prego-meat-sauceCut the tomato and onion into large ¼ inch slices
    2. Arrange in two pans
    3. Mix all ingredients for meat mixture in food processor.
    4. Form medium sized balls of meat mixture and press onto vegetable slices.
    5. Top with chopped green chilis for garnish, optional
    6. Cover pan with aluminum foil
    7. Bake on 450 for 40 minutes.

    Serve with Lite Thousand Island dressing. It is important to keep the pan covered to retain the moisture.  It is critical to mix the meat mixture in the food processor so that it is pre-pureed and crumbles without much chewing. Eat it fresh for maximum chewability. Freeze raw slices and bake as needed.

    Yields 12 slices (or 6 meals), 2 slices per 4 ounce meal.

     

  • Chicken Zucchini Souffle, 4.56 grams protein per 2 oz serving

    Chicken Zucchini Souffle, 4.56 grams protein per 2 oz serving

    Chicken PureeIngredients:

    • 4 zucchini, raw ground
    • 1 large Idaho potato (1 lb.), raw ground
    • 2 raw eggs [6*2=12g]
    • salt
    • pepper
    • 2 oz oil.
    • 1 lb raw ground chicken [7*16=112g]

    Directions:

    Combine all ingredients in food processor and chop until fine ground.  Pour into 11 x 16 pan and bake for two hours.   Divide into 2 ounce portions at 4.56 grams protein per serving.

    Yields: 24 2 oz. servings Chicken Zucchini Souffle, 4.56 grams protein per 2 oz serving.

    Photograph of 10 gram protein meal: