We know how those teeth can get a little sore after orthodontic adjustments, so here are some soothing recipes that we hope you and/or your child will enjoy.  Soft, cold foods feel especially good immediately after an appointment, like an ice pack effect.

Appetizers:  

Breakfast:  make it quick & easy

  • Blender Best for Your Bite Breakfast

  • Blender Can't Eat It , So Drink It Breakfast II

 

Lunch:  make ahead of time & will provide two or more lunches to save time.  Well boiled rice, pastas and beans are easy to chew, as are baked potatoes.

  • Quick Come & Get It Curry

  • Chili Make Your Tummy Happy Con Carne

Dinner:  stir-fry or boil fresh vegetables for easy chewing.  Fish is an easy meat to chew.  As are well-boiled rice, pastas and beans & baked potatoes with the works!

Desserts:  cold and soft foods will bring smiles to orthodontic patients.

Thanks to "Straight Status" for some of the contributed recipes. 

 

The Best for Your Bite Blender Breakfast

1 cup unsweetened orange juice or any other fruit juice you wish (use your imagination for variety day to day)

1 banana, chopped

1 cup chopped or crushed pineapple (if canned, use the kind  packed in unsweetened juice)

1 tablespoon wheat germ or protein powder (optional)

Put all the ingredients in blender and process for thirty seconds, or until fruit is pureed.  Pour into a tall glass & enjoy, there will be enough to share or have seconds.  Vary the fruits to suit yourself and try fresh, in season, fruit.  To make blender lunch, add chilled ginger ale or sparkling cider to the glass, adorn with a sprig of mint & share with friends.

 

The Blender Can't Eat It, So Drink It Breakfast II

2 cups chilled unsweetened orange juice

1/4 cup instant nonfat dry milk solids

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup crushed pineapple, undrained

1 banana, finely chopped

1 egg (optional)

Combine all ingredients in blender and whip until smooth and thoroughly blended.  Use your imagination to vary ingredients:  cranberry juice instead of orange; peaches instead of pineapple.  Try pineapple juice with mandarin oranges; try apple juice with pineapple & plums.



Easy on Your Teeth Deviled Eggs

6 hard boiled eggs
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp prepared mustard
1/8 tsp dill weed
dash Worcestershire sauce
dash hot sauce
¼ cup mayonnaise
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
paprika

Peel the eggs after they have cooled and cut into halves lengthwise. Carefully remove the yolk, place in a small bowl, and mash with fork. Add the remaining ingredients except the paprika. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Refill the egg halves with this mixture and sprinkle with paprika.


Soothing Santa Fe Chicken Chowder

2 tbsp butter
1 med onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp coriander
½ tsp salt
2 cups very finely chopped chicken breast
1 pint half & half
1 can (15 oz) creamed sweet corn
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 ½ cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese

In a Dutch oven over medium high heat, melt the butter and sauté the onion and garlic. Add the chicken broth, cumin, cayenne, coriander, salt and chicken. Stir, and over high heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Add the half and half, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies. Stir and increase the heat to medium. Gradually stir in the cheese until melted.

Serves 4-6.

Quick Come & Get It Curry

2-101/2 ounce cans condensed cream of chicken soup or creamy chicken mushroom soup

2-61/2 to 7 ounce cans of tuna or chicken (or 2 cups freshly cooked chicken, finely chopped or minced)

2 to 3 teaspoons curry powder (to taste)

Dash of chili powder

1/2 cup finely diced green pepper or 1/4 cup finely diced onion (optional)

Combine soup & spices in medium-sized sauce pan.  Heat & stir to boiling.  Add optional vegetables and either tuna or chicken.  Heat thoroughly and simmer for five minutes.  Serve over hot cooked rice.  (Offer condiments to the folks at the table who can CHEW; raisins, chopped boiled egg, cashew nuts, chopped green onion, diced apple and pineapple, etc.)

 

Chili Make Your Tummy Happy Con Carne

1 pound ground beef (ask your butcher to grind meat twice-or do it yourself in food processor)

1 large onion, finely diced

1 green pepper, finely diced

1-1 pound can tomatoes (or 2 cups fresh tomatoes), finely diced

1-8 ounce can tomato sauce

1-1 pound can red kidney beans, drained

1 teaspoon salt, 1 clove garlic

2 teaspoons chili power

1 bay leaf

In skillet, cook meat (finely minced), onion, pepper & garlic until meat is lightly browned.  Drain meat thoroughly.  Combine meat, onion, pepper and all other ingredients in  large kettle or sauce pot.  Cover and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.  Remove bay leaf before serving.  Serve with rice or tiny egg noodles or plain.  Top with grated cheese and/or onions.

Painless Pasta with Roasted Red Sweet Pepper Cream Sauce

2-8 oz containers soft style cream cheese
1 cup half and half
2 green onions, very thinly sliced
3 tbsp onion, very finely chopped
½ tsp basil
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp salt
2-7 oz jars roasted red sweet peppers, drained and finely chopped
12 oz angel hair pasta, cooked
½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated

In a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, melt the cream cheese, stirring often. Add the half and half. Stir in the green onions, onion, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and the red peppers. Continue to stir until the sauce is creamy and smooth and heated through. Pour over pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.

Serves 4-6.


Special Smiley Mashed Potatoes

1 package (22 oz) frozen mashed potatoes
1 tbsp butter or margarine
2 ½ cups milk
½ pound ground beef, cooked, finely crumbled, and drained
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 tbsp sun dried tomatoes or ¼ cup finely diced fresh tomatoes with skins removed
2 oz diced black olives
½ cup sour cream
½ cup grated cheddar cheese

In large microwaveable bowl, combine the potatoes, butter and milk. Microwave on high for 8 minutes. Remove bowl from microwave oven and stir the mixture well. Stir in the last 6 ingredients, return bowl to the microwave and cook 7 minutes on high. Stir well with fork to fluff.


Metal Mouth Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
¼ cup milk
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp minced onion
1 tbsp very finely chopped green pepper
1 egg, beaten
¼ tsp dried oregano

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly with hands. Form or roll into 24 equal sized balls. Place in a well-greased 9"x13"x2" casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Service with a smooth spaghetti sauce over soft Dante angel hair pasta. 


Bucky Beef Enchiladas

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
10 flour tortillas, cut into small bite-size pieces
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 can (4 oz) green chilies, chopped
1 can (4.5 oz) black olives, chopped
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies
½ cup water

In a skillet, cook the ground beef, onion and garlic. Drain and run through a food processor or blender. In a greased 9"x13"x2" casserole dish, layer ½ the mixture, tortillas, cheese, green chilies, and black olives. Repeat. In a medium sized bowl, combine the soup, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Mix thoroughly and pour over the top of the layered ingredients. In a preheated oven, bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serves 6-8.


Wired White Pizza

1 tube (10 oz) Refrigerated pizza dough
1 container (10 oz) refrigerated alfredo sauce
½ cup onions, finely chopped
7-8 slices bacon, crisply fried and finely crumbled
1 jar (2.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped
7 oz hickory smoked gouda cheese, grated

Using a pizza baking sheet, follow the manufacturer's directions for handling and shaping the dough. Pre-bake the dough prior to the layering of the ingredients for 5-6 minutes at 425 degrees or until lightly golden brown. Evenly spread the alfredo sauce over the pre-baked dough and layer the remaining ingredients in the order given. Transfer the pizza to a preheated oven and bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.


Chew-less Chili Chicken

2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely chopped
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of chicken soup
¾ cup chicken broth
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimentos
8 flour tortillas, 7" diameter, cut into small pieces
2 ½ cups cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Reserve 1 cup of the cheese for sprinkling on top. Pour into a greased 9"x 12" x2" casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serves 4-6.


Braces Friendly Banana Cream Cake

1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
¾ cup sour cream
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup milk
2 cups bananas, thinly sliced

Grease a 9" x 12" x 2" baking pan and lightly dust with flour. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs on at a time. Beat in the sour cream. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing well. Beat in the vanilla, milk and bananas. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Top with whip cream or drizzle with a chocolate topping of your choice.


Crossbite Carrot Cake

2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks butter, softened
4 eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp salt
1 can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, well drained
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups carrots, very finely grated.

Grease and lightly dust a 9"x12"x2" baking pan with flour. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt, mixing well. Beat in the pineapple, vanilla extract, and carrots. Pour into the baking pan and bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Allow to cool completely frosting.


Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)

In large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter, beating until smooth. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla. Gradually beat in the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over the cake. Refrigerate.

 

Chocolate Make Way For Mousse

1 1/2 pounds of semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup of espresso or very strong coffee

1/2 cup of Grand Marnier

4 egg yolks

2 cups of chilled heavy cream

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

8 egg whites

Salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the chocolate chips in a sauce pan over very low heat; add the coffee  and then the Grand Mariner.  Set this mixture aside to cool to room temperature.  One at a time, add the egg yolks.  Beat each completely into the mixture.  Beat one cup of the cream until thickened and then add the sugar gradually.  Continue beating until stiff.  Now, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.  Next, fold the egg whites into the cream.  Take about a third of the cream & egg mixture and combine it with the chocolate mixture.  Now, fold the remaining cream & egg mixture into the chocolate base.  This mixture may now be poured into individual serving pieces or one large container.   Chill for at least 2 hours.  Use the remaining cream and vanilla to make whipped cream for a topping just before serving.