Culinarily Cornered

[captain_slinky]

I love to cook, but I'm feeling *extremely* cornered by the dietary requests of my family (myself included).

• Can't be a Casserole because Crystal can't not eat all of it.
  
• Can't be rice, noodles or bread as a main ingredient; rice is *occasionally* acceptable as long as it is on the side and no ine is expected to actually eat it.
  
• No meats that have the potential to be dry, gristly, fatty or tough.
  
• Nothing deep-fried, and even pan frying is to be avoided.
  
• Nothing that involves Mayonnaise.

There are other "suggestions" that have been planted in my mind by such triggers as uneaten plates of food and physical pain that I also have to take in mind, which leave me with the options of Baked Chicken or Baked Pork Chops with a side of Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, plus peas and/or corn. Any derivation from this menu results in plates of uneaten food and/or us being in physical pain from getting food "stuck". Such is the life of a Lap Band recipient I guess :/

BUT I FEEL SO BORED WITH FOOD!!!

Variations that I can slip in occasionally which at least two out of three people will eat: Spaghetti, Salad, Tacos, Chili.

Bored, bored, BORED!!!

Comments

[teh-dirty-robot.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd read that if food was chewed thoroughly, it wouldn't get stuck? If that's not the case (as it sounds to be from what you've written), that sounds incredibly painful and frustrating. Have you found that having a lap band has helped you?

What about some baked fish? That would be some variety in flavor and texture.

[dotgirl.livejournal.com]

Not sure how many (or any) of these might work for you, but some meals we have somewhat frequently include:

Cassoulet (this recipe - http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_cassoulet.html )
Breakfast for Dinner (scrambled eggs or omlette, pancakes or waffles, etc)
Onions Baked in Cream - (this recipe - http://thecuttingedgeofordinary.blogspot.com/2011/02/roasted-parmesan-creamed-onions.html ) and we eat it on anything - baked eggs, toast, omlettes, whatever
Tomato Soup (have a great recipe with no link) and grilled cheese sammiches
Chicken with Fennel and Tomato (from America's Test Kitchen - easy to make ahead, too - http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/1382344-Chicken-with-Fennel-and-Tomatoes )
Apple Fennel Salad with Walnuts (so springy! http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=50400000107337 )
French Dips (pretty sure you know how to make those)
Martha's Meatloaf (very tasty, not fatty if you follow her instructions - http://www.marthastewart.com/284905/classic-meatloaf )

That's all I can think of now! Maybe one or two will work for you.

[lynna12000.livejournal.com]

No bread, noodles, or rice as main ingredients? Three of my favorites. Spaghetti squash is pretty good when you use it instead of pasta. Cous Cous is pretty good as a side dish.

Have you tried tomatoes stuffed with tuna or chicken salad? or stuffed peppers? Nice way to use up the leftovers.

How about pot pies? You could do individual sizes. Or do they count as casseroles?

[khristle.livejournal.com]

We could get back on your soup/salad phase?

I'm not saying that we can NEVER have a casserole, I just think they are generally to be avoided.

I need to learn that just because I can doesn't mean that I should (eat a larger helping)

[khristle.livejournal.com]

also, I've been thinking that chicken/tuna salad with LF mayo and yogurt on a bed of lettuce would be ok.

like this
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/chicken-salad

I know that we don't generally have a large food budget, but this is something important. I am OK with us spending more money on good foods.

[kanaetkassad.livejournal.com]

switch your grain to couscous- it's less calorie dense and quicker to make and easy to get in bulk- plus it takes on flavor really well or you can leave it plain for picky eaters. it's good with vegetables, fish, or other meats and not dense. when i pair it with chicken or fish i cook the couscous in chicken broth or fish broth and herbs.

try mexican lasagna-
listed as bottom layer-> top layer
cooked chicken, black beans, salsa, topped with cheese- your choice. bake until warmed. serve with sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, whatever else, tortilla chips for dipping or dump instead inside taco shells.

It's a nice change of pace and freezes well.

today for lunch i steamed some couscous and button mushrooms- really filling and i made more than i thought i'd eat. my husband is eating leftover couscous and catfish.