We often assume that our elderly parents can and would enjoy the same diet as we do.
As we age, our taste buds, our digestive ability, and most of all, our metabolism change.
Here are 8 recipes for elderly parents, that are quick and easy for you to make, and light and nutritious for your elderly parents to enjoy.
1. Egg and veggie salad
Procedure:
- Wash and cut vegetables of your choice like potato, beans (green or snap), and put them in a steamer basket or a pot containing salted water.
- Steam or boil the vegetables for about 20 min, till they are cooked but are still firm.
- Now put everything in a salad bowl and add the tomatoes.
- Drizzle some vinaigrette and sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste.
- Add 1 boiled egg cut in quarters, along with the olives and salad leaves.
- Give everything a good toss and serve.
2. Homemade creamy vegetable soup
Procedure:
- In a skillet, heat some olive oil.
- Add to this, 1 cup each of chopped onions, celery, and carrots.
- Cook till the onions are soft and transparent.
- Now add to this 1 cup each of, green beans, sliced mushroom, florets of broccoli, corn kernels, and sauté everything for 2-3 minutes.
- Add flour and 1 tsp of thyme and oregano to this.
- Cook this for about a minute and a half.
- Slowly add about 4 cups of milk to this while stirring.
- Bring this to a boil while stirring constantly and then reduce it to a simmer.
- Let this simmer for 6 to 7 minutes after adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot.
3. Grilled Alaskan salmon
Procedure:
- Preheat the grill for high heat.
- Mix brown sugar, liquid smoke, vinegar, and honey, together in a small bowl.
- Brush the salmon fillet on one side with the basting sauce and place the fish on the preheated grill, basted side down.
- After about seven minutes, turn the fish over after basting the top generously with the sauce.
- Cook for about 8 more minutes and then brush more sauce on the fish and continue cooking it for 2 more minutes.
- Serve hot.
4. Crustless Spinach Pie
Procedure:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a baking pan, heat, and melt 2 tbsps of butter/margarine.
- Take half a cup of flour, milk, and 2 minced garlic/ or ½ tsp garlic powder and add all of these to 2 large beaten eggs.
- Stir in 2 cups of spinach, and 4 ounces of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes till the cheese is slightly golden brown and the pie is firm.
5. Easy Eggplant Stir Fry
Procedure:
- Place 2 eggplants (peeled and cubed), 1 Zucchini thinly sliced, 1 cup green bell pepper (cut into strips), and 2 sliced onions into a skillet with 3 tbsps of low-fat Italian salad dressing.
- Mix all of these and cook over a low flame while stirring lightly until the vegetables turn tender.
- Add to this, 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, and cook while stirring for about 3-5 minutes.
- Serve hot over a serving of cooked brown rice.
6. Greek Yogurt Parfait
Procedure:
- In a bowl, add 3 cups of plain yogurt and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
- Take 4 small parfait/ plain glasses and top each of them with 5 Clementine segments, 1/2 tsp honey, and 1/3 tbsp of nuts.
- Layer this on top with the remaining yogurt mixture and drizzle ½ tsp of honey, 2 Clementine segments, and ½ tbsp nuts on each of these glasses.
- Serve immediately.
7. Shrimp and pasta
Procedure:
- In a saucepan, heat some butter and a tbsp of olive oil.
- Add to this some shrimp and freshly chopped herbs and garlic.
- Toss continuously and Cook until it’s done.
- Top this on a bed of pre-cooked pasta, and serve with some freshly chopped tomatoes.
8. Banana split oatmeal
Procedure:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add 1/3 cup of oatmeal and 1/8 tsp of salt.
- Stir in some water.
- Microwave this on high for about a minute. Stop and stir and then microwave for a minute again.
- Stop and stir again
- Repeat the process until the cereal reaches your desired thickness.
- Microwave for a few more seconds in high mode.
- Stir it again
- Take it out and top it with banana.
A healthy diet is essential for all age groups but perhaps a little more vital for the elderly.
Take out a bit of time from your busy schedule and prepare these recipes for your parents and see the difference.