Elder Care in Philadelphia PA

More people than ever are recognizing the health benefits of cutting out animal products in their diets and eating primarily, if not all, plant-based foods. If you have made this change in your elder care journey with your senior, you may find that you are still craving some of those snack foods that were definitely delicious, but certainly not good for you. With a few creative tricks and swaps, though, you can keep up with your goal for your senior to eat a healthier diet while still enjoying some of your favorites.

Many plant-based versions of “cheese” use nuts to replicate the rich, fatty texture and flavor. If you cannot eat nuts, or simply want an alternative that is lower in fat and calories and easier to prepare, this recipe is perfect. Using eggplant and soymilk for the creamy texture and nutritional yeast for the savory “cheesy” flavor, this version of “queso” is perfect for when you want to dig in with some tortilla chips or your senior is craving her favorite nachos. Be sure to make extra so that she can share with her elderly health care services provider when they want a fast, delicious, and healthy snack.

 

What You Will Need

• 7 to 9 rounds of eggplant
• 1/4 of a cup of chunky medium salsa
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/4 of a teaspoon of fresh garlic
• 2-3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
• 2 cups of unsweetened original soymilk
• Sea salt
• Olive oil
• A sharp knife
• A cutting board
• A colander
• A baking sheet
• Two clean towels
• Non-stick spray
• Aluminum foil
• A blender
• A small saucepan
• A small amount of hot sauce or smoked paprika to taste
• Chips, veggies or crackers to serve with

 

What to Do

• Drain the salsa and set aside
• Slice the eggplant into thin rounds about 1/2 of an inch
• Sprinkle the eggplant with a little bit of sea salt on both sides
• Arrange the eggplant in the colander to continue drawing out some of the moisture
• Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes
• Rinse the eggplant with cool water
• Pat the eggplant dry with the two clean towels
• Preheat the oven to broil
• Place an oven rack near the top of the oven
• Lightly spritz the baking sheet with the non-stick spray
• Drizzle both sides of the eggplant with olive oil
• Arrange the eggplant on the baking sheet
• Sprinkle on a little bit of salt
• Place the eggplant into the oven
• Broil for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, watching carefully so you can make sure they do not burn
• Flip them halfway through to make sure they cook on both sides evenly
• When done, the eggplant will have a golden brown color and appear tender
• Remove the eggplant from the oven and wrap loosely in foil and set aside
• After a few minutes, wrap the eggplant and peel the skin away
• Place the eggplant into a blender
• Add 1.5 cups of almond milk to the blender with the eggplant
• Add the minced garlic, cumin, cornstarch and chili powder to the eggplant and mix by hand
• Add 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to the eggplant
• Blend on high until the mixture has become creamy and smooth
• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed
• If you need to thin it at all, add more almond milk to the mixture
• Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan
• Place the saucepan over medium heat
• Allow to cook about 5 minutes, or until it is bubbly and slightly thickened
• Once the mixture is hot and thick, remove from the heat
• Add the drained salsa to the mixture
• Pour the entire contents into a serving dish
• Top with the paprika or hot sauce
• Serve with the chips, veggies or crackers

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care services in Philadelphia, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today 610-200-6075.