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Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the dads in our lives, often with backyard barbecues and celebratory dinners full of dad’s favorite foods. But for those with swallowing difficulties, sharing a meal with family can be stressful if modified options are not readily available. If you or a loved one has a swallowing disorder, these dysphagia-friendly recipes, purées, and thickened beverages can help you prepare a safe and tasty Father’s Day feast.

Puréed Barbecue Beef Sandwich

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients:

• 2 slice (1 oz) white bread, sliced with crust removed
• 1/2 cup Thick-It® Clear Advantage® Thickened Water Mildly Thick (Nectar)
• 1/3 cup Thick-It® Beef in Barbecue Sauce Purée – Smoke Flavor Added

Directions:

1. Prepare PU4 Bread: Place bread slices on a sheet pan in an even layer. Pour Thick-It® Clear Advantage® Thickened Water Mildly Thick (Nectar) over bread. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate. Allow bread to thoroughly soak for 2–4 hours or overnight.
2. Place Thick-It® Beef in Barbecue Sauce Purée–Smoke Flavor Added in a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Microwave on high for 30–60 seconds until hot and steaming (165°F). Stir. Hold at 140°F or higher until served.*

*ALTERNATIVE METHOD: Place Thick-It® Beef in Barbecue Sauce Purée–Smoke Flavor Added in a sauce pan. Heat until hot and steaming (165°F), stirring occasionally. Hold at 140°F or higher until served.

3. Test Thick-It® Beef in Barbecue Sauce Purée–Smoke Flavor Added and prepared PU4 Bread per IDDSI Testing Methods (Puréed Diet, PU4) using the Fork Drip Test and Spoon Tilt Test. Refer to IDDSI.org for details.
4. To serve, place one slice of prepared PU4 Bread on bottom of serving dish. Top with 1/3 cup of Thick-It® Beef in Barbecue Sauce Purée–Smoke Flavor Added and remaining slice of prepared PU4 Bread. May form as an open-faced sandwich, if desired. Serve immediately.
5. Discard any unused portions of prepared recipe.

Puréed Southwest Style Chicken Tacos

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup Thick-It® Seasoned Chicken Patty Purée
• 1/3 cup Thick-It® Sweet Corn Purée
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Sauce, Canned
• 1/2 tsp Taco Seasoning, Salt-Free
• 1 tsp Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener

Directions:

1. Place Thick-It® Seasoned Chicken Patty Purée in a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Microwave on high for 30–60 seconds until hot and steaming (165°F). Stir. Hold at 140°F or higher until served.*
2. Place Thick-It® Sweet Corn Purée in a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Microwave on high for 30–60 seconds until hot and steaming (165°F). Stir. Hold at 140°F or higher until served.*
3. In a sauce pan, combine tomato sauce, taco seasoning and Thick-It® Original Food & Beverage Thickener. Mix well.
4. Heat sauce on cook top until hot and steaming (165°F), stirring occasionally. Hold at 140°F or higher until served.
5. Test Puréed Southwest Style Chicken, Puréed Southwest Style Corn, and Thickened Tomato Sauce per IDDSI Testing Methods (Puréed Diet, PU4) using the Fork Drip Test and Spoon Tilt Test. Refer to IDDSI.org for details.
6. Portion with 1/4 cup of Puréed Southwest Style Corn on bottom of serving dish. Place 1/3 cup of Puréed Southwest Style Chicken on top. Top with 3 Tbsp of Thickened Tomato Sauce. Serve immediately.
7. Discard any unused portions of prepared recipe.

*ALTERNATIVE METHOD: Put Thick-It® Purée in a sauce pan. Heat until hot and steaming (165°F), stirring occasionally. Hold at 140°F or higher until served.

No matter what your dad’s favorite meal is, the Thick-It® brand has it covered with a variety of meat and vegetable purées, as well as nine other recipes in the free, downloadable Variety Comes to the Table recipe book (including recipes for both single- and multiple-servings). Make sure you also have dysphagia-friendly hydration solutions on hand during your Father’s Day celebration, such as the Clear Advantage® Thickened Water + Sugar Free, Low Calorie Sqwincher® Qwik Stik® ZERO Combo Pack and pineapple-flavored Clear Advantage® HydraICE™ Electrolyte Freezer Pops, which can be enjoyed by everyone in the family; not just those with swallowing difficulties.

Sharing a meal with a loved one who has dysphagia doesn’t have to be stressful. Planning ahead this Father’s Day with a variety of delicious, texture-modified foods and thickened beverages can ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for everyone.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition, treatment, or the use of Thick-It® products. The information contained herein is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment in any manner.