IDDSI 6 · Soft
Silken Tofu & Sesame Bowl
Soft, bite-sized tofu in a nutty sesame sauce.
14.2g protein221 kcal
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Chicken Congee
Slow-cooked rice porridge with tender chicken.
Ingredients
- 150g short-grain rice
- 1.2 L chicken broth
- 150g poached chicken, finely minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Makes 3 servings · 45 min · Chinese
Method
- Simmer rice in broth with ginger until porridgey.
- Fold in finely minced chicken.
- Finish with sesame oil — moist with no loose liquid.
Minced & moist Level 5. Blend briefly for Level 4.
Why this works at IDDSI Level 5
Level 5 is minced and moist. Soft particles no larger than about 4 mm, held together by enough sauce or moisture that nothing separates and nothing is dry. It is the first level that involves any real oral processing, so it usually arrives once swelling has settled and your surgeon is happy for you to work the jaw gently.
At 3 servings this recipe delivers 20.3g of protein and 293 kcal per serving in about 45 min — worth knowing because protein intake, not calories alone, is what limits soft-tissue healing when chewing is restricted. Move up a stage on your surgeon's or speech-language pathologist's timeline rather than by how you feel on a given day: texture that is too advanced is the most common cause of pain, wound irritation and choking risk in the first weeks.
See it made, or buy it nearby
Texture is hard to judge from written steps alone. Watching someone make it is often the quickest way to see how smooth “smooth” actually needs to be — and on the days cooking is too much, finding somewhere nearby that already makes it is a reasonable substitute.
What makes this easier
High-power blender and soft-tip feeding spoons. The recovery kit explains why each one earns its place, and what to look for when buying.
More soft-stage recipes
IDDSI 6 · Soft
Silken Tofu & Sesame Bowl
Soft, bite-sized tofu in a nutty sesame sauce.
14.2g protein221 kcal
▶
📍
IDDSI 5 · Soft
Congee with Soft Egg
Minced & moist rice porridge, gently soothing.
14g protein320 kcal
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📍
IDDSI 6 · Soft
Ricotta Polenta
Soft, forkable polenta folded with ricotta.
13.2g protein385 kcal
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📍