What's In A Name - Sister's Soft, Moist Sunday V

When I started this weekly feature I didn't know what to call it. I went back to the notes I took when I talked to my sister about her dietary restrictions to see if I could find anything inspiring. The words "soft", "cooked", and "moist" jumped out at me. They were on the list of "OK" food choices from one of her specialists. I believe the "cooked" is there to ensure that the foods she eats are easy to swallow. I get the impression applesauce would be on the "OK" list, while a raw apple wouldn't. I could be wrong about this. She sees a lot of specialists, and each gives her a list of "do's" and "don'ts". Sometimes the items on one list contradict the items on another. It gets rather confusing.

I'm assuming that raw foods that are naturally soft and moist, or raw foods that can be made soft and moist, would make the "OK" list. Because of this I dropped the "cooked" when I named this feature. Well, that and I thought that my blog would get more traffic with the title I chose. There have to be people with interesting inclinations Googling the terms "soft", "moist" and "sisters". So far they haven't found me, but that may be a good thing. I'm not sure how I would respond to their disappointment when they found smoothies instead of, well, whatever they were looking for.


This Week's Soft, Moist Selections

Easy Peanut Butter/Banana Smoothie

(Sister has been to the pain specialist three times this week. When I spoke to her she sounded exhausted, and she had loads of paperwork to sort through to prepare for a visit from an MS caseworker. In light of that, I tried to make the easiest smoothie I could think of. No chopping, no paring, no washing produce, no fussy ingredients. Just throw the items in the blender and enjoy. And get the kids to clean up, of course.)

Makes 3 cups

1 cup milk
3 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp maple syrup (The real stuff please!)
1 banana
1 cup ice

- Blend milk, peanut butter and maple syrup.
- Add banana and blend.
- Add ice and blend.

Not Exactly Lettuce Soup


(This is a chilled soup based rather loosely on Paulette Mitchell's Lettuce Soup recipe from "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup". The variations aren't due to any preferences. I just didn't have 5 of the 8 ingredients in the house! I think it turned out well, though I've never tried the original for comparison. I'm not really a fan of chilled soups, but was willing to try this for Sister's sake. (Am I a good sister or what?) She's really feeling the heat this year, so hot soups are out until the weather cools off. Surprisingly, for someone who's not a chilled soup fan, I really enjoyed this one. Hubby did too.)

Makes 4 servings.

3 cloves garlic
2 cups chicken or veggie broth (I used homemade, but store-bought would work.)
1/2 cup water
6 cups greens (I used beet greens and kale, as that's what I had.)
Fresh herbs (About 1 tbsp total. I used thyme, oregano, chives and rosemary from my garden. Use what you have.)
Juice of 1/2 lemon (Sister is to avoid citrus, so omit if it's not for you.)
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp salt

- Blend garlic and about 1/2 cup broth. Use enough liquid to cover blades.
- Add 1/2 of the greens and the rest of the broth and blend.
- Add remaining greens and 1/2 cup water and blend.
- Add herbs and blend.
- Add yogurt, lemon juice and salt and blend until smooth.
- Chill until ready to serve.