Tag: side dish

  • “Queer Eye” Roasted Cauliflower with Parsley Avocado Green Goddess Dip

    “Queer Eye” Roasted Cauliflower with Parsley Avocado Green Goddess Dip

    Queer Eye Green Goddess Avocado Dip

    Essential fats are so important for our brain. But for for bariatric patients, the ratio of fat to protein is critical. Up those fats, give your brain the food it needs, and prevent muscle wasting while  you lose weight.

    Cauliflower is an excellent source of Vitamin K, which keeps your bones healthy and also prevents losses in bone mineral density which could lead to osteoporosis. Post-op WLS patients must make sure to load up on these essential vitamins and minerals.

    This dish is so simple. Roast cauliflower using oil and your favorite seasoning. Don’t roast them for too long, or they will get mushy.

    Next, in the food processor, mix:

    • 1 avocado
    • 1/2 bunch of parsley
    • Green onion
    • 3 cloves garlic, optional
    • Juice of one lemon or lime
    • jalapeño, optional
    • salt and pepper
    • healthy oil

    I used organic coconut avocado oil. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add more oil as needed until you have the buttery texture you want. In the Queer Eye episode, Antoni replaces Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to make this “green goddess” dip.

    Nutrition Facts:

    1 cup cauliflower has 100 calories and 2 grams of protein.

  • Mock Potato Salad with Cauliflower, 6 grams protein, 68 calories

    Mock Potato Salad with Cauliflower, 6 grams protein, 68 calories

    IMG_2863Cauliflower is a virtuous replacement for potatoes.  When flavored properly, this tastes like the real thing. In this recipe, the cauliflower is cooked in the microwave for convenience. You can cook it on the stove, but make sure not to overcook. You want the florets to still hold shape and not get mushy.

    Ingredients: 

    • 3 hard-boiled eggs
    • 2 pickles (or 6 mini dill)
    • 8 ounces cauliflower

    Dressing:

    • 2 oz. Greek Yogurt, 0%
    • 1 teaspoon spicy brown  mustard
    • 1 teaspoon chopped dill (or 1 frozen cube)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 tablespoons juice from pickle jar

    Directions:

    In a microwave-safe bowl, cover cauliflower with water and microwave on high for ten minutes.
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    Chop eggs and pickles.  In a small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients.
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    When cauliflower is cooked, drain water and chop into tiny bits.  Mix dressing with all ingredients.  Refrigerate leftovers.

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    Yields: 16 ounces of salad, five portions of ½ cup each, at 6 grams protein, 68 calories

  • Winter Roses in a Cup – Harvest Vegetable Side Dish with Healthy and Necessary Carbs and Fats.  

    Winter Roses in a Cup – Harvest Vegetable Side Dish with Healthy and Necessary Carbs and Fats.  

    IMG_2596This recipe is dedicated to my personal trainer who tipped me off on the need for healthy carbs and fats that post-op patients need for breaking down protein with body fat instead of muscle mass.  Pair these harvest vegetable side dish rose cups with a high-protein recipe for the ultimate meal. Without further ado, here is my side dish recipe to round out your protein meal.

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    Equal proportion of apples to sweet potato

    Ingredients:

    • ¼ rutabaga, or 100 grams (1.1g,38c)
    • ½ sweet potato (1g, 56c)
    • 1 small apple  (.3g,58c)
    • 1 medium orange  (.9g,45c)
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil (360c)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 ounce soymilk (1.25g,17.5c)
    • 1 ½ teaspoons instant coffee
    • 2 packets artificial sweetener
    • 3 eggs  (18g, 210c)
    • 4 ounces fine cornmeal (8g,355c)

    Directions:

    • Peel and thinly slice the rutabaga, sweet potato, and apple into a large bowl.
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    • Peel orange with a knife, reserving the white rind.  Thinly slice by hand.
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    • Dilute coffee and sweetener with soymilk.
    • Combine all ingredients in the bowl.
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    • Press the mixture into a large muffin pan, evenly dividing between the 12 cups.  The mixture will form high mounds, which will settle in the oven later.
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    • Bake at 425 for 45 minutes.
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    • Yields: 12 roses, about 1.5 ounces each, 2.5 grams protein, 95 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