Author: Amy Listermann, MS, CCC-SLP
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Pregelled Peach Guac Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are one of those dishes that feel inherently comforting: tender pieces of tortilla simmered in sauce until they soak up the liquid, layered with tangy toppings and warm aromatics. They already sit close to the softer end of the texture spectrum, which makes them an easy choice to include in my dysphagia friendly recipe…
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Falafel Bake
Falafel has always been about contrast; a crisp shell giving way to a tender, spiced center. For many people with chewing or swallowing changes, that very contrast can make it off-limits. This baked version reimagines the dish from the inside out, keeping its signature flavor profile but shifting the texture from crunchy to cohesive. The…
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Minced & Moist Squash Sausage Casserole
When I first started adapting recipes for people with dysphagia, I noticed how often soups were the go-to “safe” choice, but with dysphagia, the truth can a bit more complex. Smooth purees have their place at IDDSI level 3 Liquidized, but soups that have a mixture of liquid and solids are actually one of the…
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What are Transitional Foods?
Dissolvable & Transitional Solids: A Practical Guide for Home Cooks Transitional solids, sometimes called dissolvable solids, meltables, or “meltable solids”, are foods that break down quickly with moisture, temperature, or light pressure. They sit in the space between minces and regular foods, offering a middle path for people rebuilding confidence, oral control, or safe chewing…
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Crab Tater Tots with Chipotle Aioli
Crab is one of the easiest seafoods to incorporate into softer meals because it flakes naturally, carries seasoning well, and stays tender even after reheating. Folding it into tater tots is a simple way to stretch the flavor without diluting the crab itself. The potatoes act like a built-in binder, giving you structure while staying…
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Curried Chicken Pizza Bianca
Some dishes feel inevitable the moment you think of them. Curried chicken and pizza bianca come from different corners of the world, but they share a core idea: warmth, comfort, and balance. This Curried Chicken Pizza Bianca brings those elements together in a way that feels both familiar and new; creamy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying…
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Dysphagia-Friendly Fast Food
Reviewed by a licensed speech-language pathologist. Fast food is a part of real life. It’s where people meet up between errands or grabbing something on the way to work. When you’re eating with texture needs, that convenience can suddenly feel off limits. The good news is: plenty of fast food items are already pretty close…
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Steakhouse Plate
Steak is one of those foods people miss the most when chewing or swallowing gets harder. It’s iconic: the smell, the sear, the satisfaction of a proper bite. But it’s also one of the toughest textures to get right for dysphagia-friendly or easy-chew diets. Too lean, and it dries out. Too hot, and the fibers…
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Goetta Hash Bowl with Apples
What is goetta? Goetta (pronounced “get-uh”) started as a German-American breakfast staple, born out of thrift and ingenuity in kitchens in my hometown, Cincinnati. Traditionally made with pork, beef, steel cut oats, and onions, it was meant to stretch meat while turning simple grains into something deeply satisfying. When cooked low and slow, goetta forms…
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Veggie Patty Egg Stacker
There’s a reason certain veggie patties have held their place in freezers for decades: they’re soft, mild, and nourishing, but still taste like food, not filler. This egg stacker that features my Ultimate Veggie Patty builds on that idea, starting from scratch with fresh vegetables, whole grains, and gentle seasoning. The texture is tender and…