Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for Tube Feeding

It's that time of year that gets everyone's mouth watering and tummies rumbling. Yes, that's right: Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The stores have their turkeys in the freezer, stuffings right beside, ingredients for sweet baking in the middle aisles, pumpkin pies as soon as you walk in the door and colorful corn spilling over the counters for that extra touch.

The anticipation for it all is enough to make you want to fast forward to the dinner table, but what if you can't partake in these solid formations of luxury because you have a feeding tube? No worries...even though you or a relative may be limited to liquid feedings now (or always have been) there are still ways to enjoy this holiday feast without choking down that turkey.

Here are some recipes that are smooth and liquid enough to go down your feeding tube. I hope you find them helpful in being able to have a Thanksgiving dinner and dessert that will fill you up and put you to sleep after-wards just as fast!
*Amount of ingredients can be adjusted as to whether you're cooking for one or adapting a feeding tube meal from a Thanksgiving Dinner already cooked. These recipes have unnecessary spices and ingredients left out for those who may be watching sodium, cholesterol, diabetic, etc.

For Dinner...

Turkey Broth
you will need:
- Turkey or Turkey Breast
- 2 cups Water
- Onions
- Carrots
- Tinfoil
- Strainer or Colander and Coffee Filter

Follow directions for preparing the turkey (taking out the neck and bag), oven temperature, and cooking time on the turkey package. Preheat oven. Place Turkey upside down in baking pan and stuff with onions and carrots. (you can pull out the oven rack and assemble this with pan on the rack) Pour in the water and put a foil tent over the turkey. Cook as directed for the weight of your Turkey. (if you're not watching sodium, you can add extra seasonings) When the Turkey is finished, dip out the juices from the bottom and strain them through your strainer or coffee filter to take out the bits and pieces...Enjoy!
*NOTE: Cooking the Turkey upside down will allow all the juices to saturate in the bottom of the pan giving you a wholesome, filling Turkey broth.

Mashed Potatoes
you will need;
- Potatoes (enough to meet your need..individual or family), peeled and cubed into 1 inch cubes
- Water

Cover the cubed potatoes in a saucepan or pot to an inch above them with water. Boil them until they're soft about 10-15 minutes. Drain the water into a bowl to save, this is what you'll add to liquefy them. Scoop out 1 serving and mash with a fork. When mashed, add the water you saved a little at a time...add and mash, add and mash. Do this until you have a fairly thin consistency, then pour enough water while stirring to make potatoes thin and liquefied enough to push through your tube. You may strain if necessary.
*NOTE: If you use instant potato flakes, just heat a cup of water and pour flakes in while stirring until desired consistency but not too thick. If using mashed potatoes already prepared, just scoop a spoonful into a glass and stir vigorously with a fork while adding hot water until desired consistency.

Peas
you will need:
- 1 Can of Peas, they are already soft
- 1 cup Water

Simmer peas and water until soft and mushy, about 10 minutes. Mash peas and water in pan after finished simmering (add more water if needed).
You want enough water in pan after mashing to be able to pour through strainer. Now, pour the peas and water through the strainer to take out the skins of the peas. You may add water to make a bigger serving.

Stuffing
you will need:
- 1 bag or box of store bought stuffing
OR
- 1 spoonful of prepared stuffing or dressing
- 1 to 2 cups Water

If using the bag or box of store bought stuffing, scoop 1 cup of mixture out of the bag. Put into small pan and add water. Bring to a boil and simmer until soft and mushy. Once finished, mash stuffing and water with a fork. Be sure to mash good enough to distribute stuffing mixture and spices into water as much as possible. You want enough liquid to strain. Now, strain the mixture through a strainer or coffee filter to eliminate chunks and pieces.
If using stuffing or dressing that's already been prepared, then put 1 spoonful of the stuffing/dressing into a bowl and pour boiling water into the bowl. Mash the stuffing/dressing into the water and strain as above.

For Dessert...

Crust-less Pumpkin Pie
you will need:
- 1 can of pumpkin (a popular brand is Libby's)
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
OR
- 1 slice prepared pumpkin pie
- 1 cup hot Water

If making the Pumpkin Pie mixture, combine the ingredients together in a bowl. Place mixture into a small baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes (you may heat in the microwave if you do not wish to bake it). When finished, put a scoop of the Pumpkin Pie Mixture into a bowl and pour a little of the hot water in also. Stir with a fork until there are no lumps. Slowly add hot water while stirring to achieve a thin liquid shake consistency that will go down your feeding tube.
If using prepared Pumpkin Pie, spoon the pumpkin of 1 slice off the crust into a bowl and prepare with hot water as above. You can do the same with Sweet Potato Pie as well.

Crust-less Apple Pie
you will need:
- 1 or 2 sliced Red Delicious Apples (or apple of choice)
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
OR
- 1 slice Prepared Apple Pie
- 1 cup hot Water

If baking apples, combine apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then place into small baking dish and add 1/2 cup water. Bake the mixture at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes making sure the water doesn't cook away. Add more water if necessary. When finished, put Apple Pie Mixture into a blender and pulse until finely chopped or liquefied. Strain through strainer or coffee filter to remove pieces and add hot water if necessary.
If using prepared Apple Pie, scoop filling from 1 slice into a bowl and add hot water. Stir, mix, and strain into cup.

Serving Suggestion- Put small bowls, each filled with a different dish of the prepared liquid dinner, all together on a decorative tray (or whatever you have) and place the feeding syringe on the side on top of a napkin, or decoratively tie a cloth napkin around the syringe. This attention to detail will show your friend or relative that you care and that they can have a nice meal with the rest of the family.
**NOTE: Always check with your Doctor first before eating anything other than your prescribed meal.

I hope you find these recipes helpful to keep your Thanksgiving a happy and filling one, whether cooking for yourself or a relative or friend.

~ Happy Thanksgiving!