David Fagen, the head speech language pathologist of Fawcett Memorial Hospital, suggested that Essential Puree should include recipes for the diabetic patient with swallowing difficulties (or dysphagia). This is our first recipe for the diabetic dysphagia patient or any other person with a need for a sugar-free pureed dessert.
Tip: The avocado in this recipe is for purposes of thickening and creating a creamy texture. It also adds valuable nutrition. It is an optional ingredient.
If the milkshake is not thickened to pudding consistency, add a packet of gel gum thickener or the equivalent amount of powdered gum thickener to create the pudding consistency. If you use the thickener, remember to refrigerate for three minutes to reach maximum thickening potential. See the Instant Thickener Guide on the website for brand names of gel and gum thickeners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar-free chocolate ice cream, softened
- 1 cup of milk or non-dairy milk, such as almond milk
- A handful of mint leaves extracted in a Nutribullet or high speed blender with a few tablespoons of milk or water
- A scoop of whey protein powder that does not contain sugar (optional)
- 1 small avocado (optional)
- Stevia, to taste, for additional sweetness if necessary (optional)
- 1 packet Simply Thick gel thickener or the equivalent amount of powdered xanthum gum thickener (if needed). See website for Instant Thickener brands.
Directions
Place the handful of mint leaves in the Nutribullet with 4 tablespoons of the chilled almond milk or water.
Turn on the extractor until the mint leaves are completely liquefied. Rinse out the bowl of the Nutribullet and put the mint leaf liquid through a fine mesh sieve.
Add the chocolate ice cream to the Nutribullet cup along with the milk. Turn on the unit for a few seconds to render the ice cream into a smooth shake consistency.
Add the avocado and blend. Taste for sweetness.
Add the extracted mint leaves, the whey protein, and stevia (if needed). Blend.
The liquid should be of a pudding consistency. Adjust the thickness by adding gel or powder thickener, if needed.
Place in the refrigerator for three minutes, if a thickener is used, to allow it to reach maximum potential. If thinning is necessary, add a little more milk or non-dairy milk, a tablespoon or two at a time.
Technique
When using mint leaves, we recommend the Nutribullet nutrition extractor. This will pulverize the mint leaves into liquid form. If there are any particles, please pour the liquid through a fine mesh sieve before adding the mint extraction to the milkshake. If you wish to use a regular blender, please substitute a good natural mint extract, such as the Frontier brand, that does not contain sugar. Eliminate the mint leaves from the list of ingredients and add a half teaspoon to a teaspoon of mint extract.
Swirl Away!