Level 3 · Liquidised: smooth, pourable, no bits. It can be sipped from a cup or taken by spoon, and needs no chewing. What do the levels mean?
Serves: 4 · Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients: Kabocha, onion, fresh ginger, low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, a splash of coconut milk, salt.
Steps
Peel and seed 1 small kabocha (about 2 lb) and cut into chunks. Soften 1 chopped onion and 1 tsp grated ginger in a little oil.
Add the kabocha and 3 cups broth. Simmer 20 minutes until very soft.
Blend until completely smooth, then press through a fine strainer.
Stir in 1/4 cup coconut milk and a pinch of salt. Adjust with broth or thickener to Level 3.
Check the texture: it drips slowly in dollops through the prongs of a fork, and there are no lumps, skins or fibers. If it runs through quickly, thicken it a little (a food thickener works well).
Use the food level recommended by your speech-language pathologist or doctor. Textures change with cooking time, cooling and reheating, so check the food each time before serving, using the simple fork and spoon tests in our swallowing guide. Sit upright to eat, take small bites, and stay upright for 30 minutes after.