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Easy Bariatric Surgery Soft Phase Recipes 6-Week Summer Meal Plan

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A gentle, nourishing summer meal designed for the 6-week soft phase after bariatric surgery, combining soft textures with fresh, mild flavors to support healing and satisfaction.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (or rice, well-cooked and soft)
  • 1 cup steamed summer squash, peeled and pureed (zucchini or yellow squash)
  • ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese, small-curd
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: 1 small garlic clove, minced and sautéed gently

Instructions

  1. Rinse ½ cup dry quinoa under cold water. Combine with 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Peel and chop 1 cup of summer squash into small pieces. Steam until very soft, about 7 minutes. Drain any excess moisture.
  3. Transfer the cooked squash to a blender or use an immersion blender in a bowl. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to reach a soft, spreadable consistency.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the cooked quinoa or rice, pureed squash, and ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon fresh dill, and 1 teaspoon fresh basil. Season lightly with salt and pepper. If using garlic, sauté minced garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil over low heat for 1 minute and mix it in now.
  6. If the mixture feels too thick, add a teaspoon of water or yogurt at a time until it reaches desired softness.
  7. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

Use an immersion blender for better texture control. Adjust seasoning gently to avoid upsetting sensitive digestion. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days and reheat gently. Substitute dairy ingredients for dairy-free options if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: bariatric surgery, soft phase, summer recipe, easy meal, soft foods, post-op diet, quinoa, summer squash, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/easy-bariatric-surgery-soft-phase-recipes-6-week-summer-meal-plan/