Protein Artist

Tag: meal

  • Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage, 11 grams protein, 223 calories

    Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage, 11 grams protein, 223 calories

    IMG_2616This vegetarian recipe was designed to create a balanced meal of necessary Carbs and Fats for Post-Op Breakdown of Proteins.  If you are lazy to stuff the cabbage leaves, then shred the cabbage and cook everything together in the oven.

    Ingredients:

    • ½ head cabbage (8g, 150c)
    • 1 can chickpeas (21g,350c)
    • 2 slices roasted red pepper from jar, chopped (15g, 30c)
    • 2 large scallions, chopped  (.6g, 20c)
    • ½ rutabaga, or 8 ounces finely shredded (2.2g,76c)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil (360c)
    • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (3g,33c)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Sauce:

    • 1 can condensed cream of __ soup (mushroom, etc,) (7.5g,175c))
    • 1 can tomato sauce (7g, 140c)
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic  (.8g, 8c)

    Directions:   

    Peel cabbage leaves from head:

    • With a knife, cut around the core of the cabbage head.

      IMG_2603

    • Place the cabbage into microwave and nuke for 3 minutes. Slowly peel the outer layers. If more leaves are needed, return to microwave and nuke for another 2 minutes, and peel the rest of the leaves.
    • Mix sauce ingredients inside a large shallow oven pan.
    • Combine the rest of ingredients in a bowl and toss well.

    IMG_2602

    Stuffing the cabbage: Place a single large leaf on a flat surface with the spiny end facing you.   Place two heaping tablespoons of mixture into the center of the leaf.
    IMG_2605

    Fold the right and left sides of the leaf inwards, and begin rolling the spine end towards the topmost corner. Place the spine of the leaf facing up when putting the roll into the pan. The sauce will be thick and will hold the rolls in place.
    IMG_2606

    Cover with aluminum foil and bake in oven for one hour at 350. Remove from oven, and with a spoon, carefully cover the rolls with the sauce.
    IMG_2614
    Cover the pan with aluminum foil and return to oven for 30 minutes.

    Yields: about 12 rolls of stuffed cabbage, 2 per 4 ounce portion, at 11 grams protein, 223 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.
      IMG_2526
    • For a mini muffin pan, 2 ounces will fit into three cups. The cups will be nearly full.
      IMG_2527
    • Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes.
    • Remove from pan and allow to cool.
      IMG_2533
    • Top two 2-ounce muffins with ½ ounce of topping each (about 1 tablespoon).
      IMG_2540
    • Store each muffin in a GladWare Mini Round Food Storage Containers.
      IMG_2544
    • 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
  • Easy-Chew Creamy Potato Salad, 3.8 grams protein, 125 calories

    Easy-Chew Creamy Potato Salad, 3.8 grams protein, 125 calories

    Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery office lunch meal idea
    Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery office lunch meal idea

    Potato salad is an easy-chew option for those days when you are struggling to get food down.  Stays fresh in the fridge for several days.  It works very well for a lunch meal away from home.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb. potato (or 1 giant idaho potato) (7g, 283c)
    • 2 hard boiled eggs [12g, 156c]
    • 1 ounce sour pickles (or one large pickle)  (0g,5c)
    • 2 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise (0g, 180c)
    • salt & pepper to taste
    If you are after RNY weight loss surgery and using a baby spoon for meals, then you will be able having all the tastes on each spoonful if you chop everything into tiny bits before tossing the salad.
    If you are after RNY weight loss surgery and using a baby spoon for meals, then you will be able having all the tastes on each spoonful if you chop everything into tiny bits before tossing the salad.

    Directions:

    • Boil the unpeeled potato in water until cooked. It might take about 45 minutes.  Allow the potato to cool on a towel or cutting board.  Peel the skin.
    • Chop the potatoes, eggs, and pickles into tiny bits.
    • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss with mayonnaise.
    • Serve warm, room temperature, or cold.
    • Refrigerate leftovers.

     Yields: about 5 portions at 4 ounces each. 3.8 grams protein, 125 calories

    IDEA: If you are going to take the time to boil the potato, then double it and also consider the Hungarian Rakott Krumpli recipe.

  • Unjury Powder Eggplant Bites Recipe, 28 grams protein

    Unjury Powder Eggplant Bites Recipe, 28 grams protein

    Eggplant Protein BitesDo you miss those good old days with hefty eggplant fries on the side of your burger?  If you dare to try this recipe, you might get your cravings satisfied and be very full too.   You might be surprised by the texture of the batter, but it certainly beats pureed food after surgery.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ounces eggplant (1g, 25c)
    • 1 egg (6g, 70c)
    • 1 scoop Unjury protein powder, chicken soup flavor (21g, 100c)
    • salt and pepper

    Directions:

    • Peel and slice the eggplant.  Lay flat on cutting board and sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 15 minutes. Squeeze out the water and rinse slices thoroughly.
    • With a fork, beat the egg in a bowl with salt and pepper, and favorite spices.
    • Add protein powder to separate bowl.
    • Coat each slice with powder, egg, and then powder again.
    • Fry in oil. Drain fat with paper towel.

    Yields: 1 serving, about 4-5 slices, at 28 grams protein per serving. Net 195 calories, without adding the calories of the frying oil.

    • Serve with 1 ounce Creamy Protein Dipping Sauce for an added 3 grams protein to your meal.  Your total intake will be 31 grams protein for the 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.

    IMG_2229[1]
    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.

     

  • 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.
  • 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!

  • 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.