Recipes for Recovery

First Intermission

A word on protein, from a long-time vegetarian cook

Of the 20 amino acids in nature, 9 are essential — and all 9 are found in animal protein. But puréed meat is, frankly, a challenge. The good news: by combining vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, we get all 9 without animal flesh. Tofu is bland, which means it flavors beautifully and purées well. Lentils are a great source too — which is why those packaged Indian dahls earn their place. Puréed legumes are genuinely tasty: hummus, refried black beans, creamy soups. And yes — "beans, beans, the musical fruit" — but gas can be minimized by how beans are cooked and with what. (Her lentil recipe below shows the trick.)

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