Zhima Hu (Black Sesame Soup)

Why this works at IDDSI Level 3

Level 3 is moderately-thick, or liquidised — it can be drunk from a cup but is smooth enough to be eaten with a spoon, and it should drip rather than pour off a tilted spoon. There should be no lumps at all, because at this thickness a lump is easy to miss until it is already at the back of the throat.

At 2 servings this recipe delivers 6g of protein and 250 kcal per serving in about 15 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 all puréed-stage recipes →

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 fine-mesh sieve. The recovery kit explains why each one earns its place, and what to look for when buying.

More puréed-stage recipes

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IDDSI 4 · Puréed Creamy Red Dal Purée Indian · 30 min Smooth lentils, warming spice, fully liquidised. 16.4g protein305 kcal ▶ 📍

IDDSI 3 · Puréed Avocado Chocolate Mousse Western · 10 min Moderately-thick treat, blended to spoonable. 5g protein260 kcal ▶ 📍