"Honestly though...it's kind of comforting knowing we're all in this together."
Couldn't agree more—it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one stressing over meal ideas. Polenta sounds interesting, but I'm a bit hesitant...doesn't it get gritty or grainy? My son is super picky about textures, especially now with braces. We've been leaning heavily on scrambled eggs and smoothies, but I'm worried he's getting bored. Has anyone tried risotto? Seems soft enough, but I'm not sure if the rice grains would be problematic.
Risotto could definitely work, but it depends on how soft you cook it. I've made it a few times when my mouth was sore, and the trick is to cook it a bit longer than usual—almost to the point of being mushy. It loses that al dente bite, which might help your son with the braces issue. You could also try adding some creamy cheese or pureed veggies to smooth out the texture even more.
"Polenta sounds interesting, but I'm a bit hesitant...doesn't it get gritty or grainy?"
Yeah, polenta can be tricky. If you don't cook it long enough or add enough liquid, it can feel gritty. But if you simmer it slowly and stir often, it turns out pretty creamy—almost like mashed potatoes. Speaking of potatoes, have you tried mashed sweet potatoes or regular mashed potatoes with gravy? Those were lifesavers for me when chewing felt like torture. Plus, they're easy to flavor differently each time so your son doesn't get bored. Hope this helps a bit...good luck!
