Potato leek is decent, but honestly, I found blended soups got old fast. Have you considered savory smoothies instead? Avocado, spinach, and a bit of Greek yogurt...sounds weird, but it's creamy, nutritious, and easier on your teeth (and taste buds) after surgery.
Potato leek is definitely a classic, but I agree, blended soups can quickly become monotonous. The savory smoothie suggestion is interesting—though personally, I found the texture of avocado smoothies a bit too thick for my liking after my own dental surgery. If you're open to experimenting, you might want to try chilled gazpacho-style soups. They're refreshing, flavorful, and you can easily adjust the consistency to suit your comfort level. I also found that adding silken tofu or cottage cheese to smoothies (even savory ones) provided extra protein and made them more filling without being overly heavy. It sounds odd, but it blends smoothly and doesn't overpower the taste. Just something else to consider if you're looking for variety during recovery...
"I also found that adding silken tofu or cottage cheese to smoothies (even savory ones) provided extra protein and made them more filling without being overly heavy."
Interesting suggestion, but I have to admit, cottage cheese in smoothies was a no-go for me. Tried it once after my wisdom teeth removal, and even blended, the texture was just... off. Maybe it's psychological, but I couldn't shake the feeling of tiny lumps lurking in there somewhere. Silken tofu, though—that one surprised me. It blended so smoothly I barely noticed it was there.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is broth-based soups with miso paste. After my own jaw surgery, I got tired pretty quickly of cold soups and smoothies. Warm miso broth felt comforting and savory without being heavy or monotonous. Plus, you can experiment by blending in soft-cooked veggies or even a bit of soft-boiled egg yolk for richness. Might be worth a shot if you're craving something warm and savory during recovery...
I totally get what you mean about cottage cheese. I tried it once in a smoothie when I was prepping for my jaw surgery (wanted to test out some recipes ahead of time), and I just couldn't get past the texture either. It wasn't even lumpy exactly, but something about it felt grainy or gritty to me. Maybe it's just knowing it's cottage cheese that messes with your head?
Silken tofu, though, was a lifesaver. I was skeptical at first because tofu in smoothies sounded kinda weird, but it blended so smoothly and didn't have any weird aftertaste. I ended up using it a lot during my recovery, especially in fruit smoothies with banana and berries. It made them creamy without being heavy, and I felt like I was actually getting some decent nutrition.
Your miso broth suggestion is spot-on too. After about a week of cold smoothies and shakes, I was desperate for something warm and savory. My mom made me a miso broth with blended sweet potato and carrot, and honestly, it felt like the best meal I'd ever had at that point. It was comforting, flavorful, and filling enough to make me feel less miserable about the whole liquid diet thing.
One other thing that helped me was blended oatmeal. Sounds kinda gross, I know, but hear me out. I'd cook oatmeal until it was super soft, blend it with some almond milk, cinnamon, and a little maple syrup, and it turned into this creamy, comforting porridge-like drink. It was warm, filling, and felt like actual breakfast food instead of just another smoothie. Definitely helped me feel more normal during recovery.
Anyway, hang in there—it's tough at first, but you'll find your rhythm pretty quickly. And who knows, you might even discover some new favorite recipes along the way...
"Silken tofu, though, was a lifesaver."
I wish I could agree, but silken tofu didn't sit well with me. It blended smoothly, sure, but something about the subtle aftertaste bothered me. Greek yogurt ended up being my go-to for creamy smoothies without any weirdness...
