5 Steps to Make Appetizing Pureed Food for Alzheimer’s Patients Who Have Trouble Swallowing
Step 4: Present
Once your puree has set in its mold, you can remove each individual portion from the mold and put them on a plate. You may want to add additional non-molded foods at this time, such as mashed potatoes, sauces, or gravies. Or you may choose to wait to put those on until you’re ready to serve the food.
If you’re not serving the meal right away, put a lid on it and pop it into the fridge or freezer until mealtime.
Step 5: Heat and Serve
The most important part of reheating this meal is going to be keeping the moisture in the puree. You’ll need a heat-proof lid for your dish so that whatever heating method you choose will still leave your meal tasting scrumptious.
If you’re working in a nursing home or hospital, you may have access to a combi steam oven, a Burlodge-style retherm system, or a bain-marie under-counter hot box to heat up your meal. If not, however, this step can still be DIYed with a microwave on the lowest power setting.
Don’t these plated and finished meals look WAY better than those shapeless and colorless globs of food? Wouldn’t you be far more likely to choose one of these options over a plate of food you couldn’t identify?
If you’re thinking this sounds like a little too much work to take on, bear with us! We know you’ll get the hang of this process in no time flat!
Check out the video below to see how all five steps are carried out by the professionals and learn to make perfectly pureed and molded food on your own!
Do you have a favorite recipe you make for a loved one with dysphagia, or perhaps a special trick to make sure your puree is the perfect thickness? Maybe a fun flavor you add to keep things a little exciting? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!