Soft but tasty food

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Im running out of recipe ideas so hoping someone has some ideas. I cook for my 89 year old father in law a couple of times a week, try to make a meal thats nutritional, tasty and both myself and my husband can eat.

Main issues for recipes.
Any shellfish is a No go due to allergies.
My FIL doesnt like spice, is not a huge fan of pasta and has issues chewing.
My husband doesnt like mash so shepherds pie etc is a no go.

Both will eat a beef Lasagna, chorizo, cod and bean stew, lentil and sausage casserole. Mwat pie, Salmon and veg. Sweet and sour chicken.

Any ideas on meals are welcome.

Im keen to try and avoid repeat weekly food rotations and would like to try some other recipes to keep dinner a little more interesting

Would your DH eat sliced potatoes, so pies with a hotpot top?
You could do stew containing potatoes or with dumplings.
Does your father like rice? If so perhaps kedgeree?

Risotto or a chunky soup might be good

Fishcakes

cauliflower cheese

My current obsession is oven roasted vegetables (sweet potato, carrot, parsnip, garlic, courgette, peppers, leek etc) with a white miso/honey glaze. Totally delicious, you can serve with some kind of protein eg pulled pork or fish

A boiled egg, mashed with cheese, chives and mayo, served on toast.
I love it.

Risotto
Omelette
Casserole
Chilli con Carne
Pasta bakes
Corn beef hash
Fish pie but with pastry topping not mash

Beef stew and Dumplings he enjoyed when I cooked last week, im considering chicken, ham and leek pies so could make those hot pot style to add a little difference. Risotto is a winner in the house (asparagus, pea, mint and lemon is a go to for us in the summer).

Ive never considered using miso as a vegetable glazed. Could definitely try that as a tray bake.

Boiled eggs are something he looks himself so ill recommend that as a recipe that he can prep himself.

And Yes.. he will eat rice. He is fairly adventurous with food but eats such small portions, its a waste cooking just for him hence I try and cook a meal we can all enjoy.

Im a big fan of both spices and pasta which is why im struggling witj recipe ideas.

Beef Stroganoff, usually served with soft pasta shapes or rice was supposedly invented for just such a man.

Count Alexander Grigorievich Stroganoff: A popular legend states that the dish was created in Odessa by a French chef (often named as Andre Dupont) specifically for the elderly Count, who had lost his teeth and could no longer chew standard cuts of meat.

Jamaican Bully beef (Google it, lots of variations) with steamed cabbage and carrots and boiled rice or mash sweet potato.

I recall having beef stroganoff as a child, will check out a recipe for that. Thanks

Ive never heard of that and have a can of corned beef in the cupboard. Will give this a go and reduce the heat / chilli. Thanks for this, I don't enjoy cooking a different cuisine

-Moussaka https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/moussaka
-Might be too much pasta for FIL Pastitsio or pasta bakes https://www.recipetineats.com/pastitsio-greek-beef-pasta-bake/
-Baked potato and then choose the fillings. Tuna/sweetcorn, bacon/spring onions/pineapple, beans, cheese, coronation chicken etc
-Slow roasted lamb shanks or beef cheeks so they fall apart when eaten
-Fish pie with just fish and potato slices instead of mash, or half mash and half potato slices
-Pea and ham soup, but the thickness of almost a stew
-Dhal with very mild spices
-Fried rice https://www.recipetineats.com/egg-fried-rice/
-Meatloaf https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-meatloaf-recipe
-Quiche or an open, savoury tart

Some ideas for soft sides:
-courgette grated then steamed. Grated parmesan or other cheese on top
-https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/yotam-ottolenghis-roasted-aubergine-with-anchovies-and-oregano/
-Cauliflower cut into florets. Bake at about 170' till the edges are starting to brown and the stalks are soft to a knife going through. Keep an eye on it because it can burn quickly! They can be served like this with a tahini/lemon dressing, or with gravy in a roast or mashed. When mashed, they have a lovely, nutty flavour. If FIL needs extra calories, I'd mash his with double cream and butter.

It’s a good basic meal that can obviously be adapted to your taste. Steaming the vegetables with butter and seasonings is amazing 👌🏼! I remember my mum doing for my grandparents poached cod in milk with mash. I can’t remember what she added but it was delicious. Some good seasoning will make the soft meals delicious.

How about a tangine with couscous

Poached salmon or trout with boiled carrots and poached egg.

Beef stroganoff cooked til tender with rice.

Lancashire hotpot

Ratatouille

Risotto

On and corned beef hash done as more of a stew in a Yorkshire pudding

Polenta! Baked over eggplant/tomato with mozzarella topping. Or cooked polenta served with a mushroom ragout on top.

Gnocchi with different sauces
Orzo
Risotto

Some amazing suggestions, thank you all. We have an abundance of Aubergine in the freezer having grown this over the summer so will definitely try a few of the Aubergine recipes suggested.

We do not have a local fish monger so I will try our local markets fish stall, hopefully I will be able to get what I need to try the various fish recipes.

Youve all provided me with some fantastic ideas for recipes to see me through until Christmas. He had already decided on Salmon for his christmas dinner. We generally do not cook turkey roast so the salmon suits us and makes life easier for me.

What about omelette or stir fries? Would they be willing to try those?
Quick and nutritious

What about a halloumi butter bean stew, gigantes plaki, greek lamb meatballs (has potatoes in the stew so shouldn't need rice or pasta), soups, or you could stuff peppers/mushrooms/courgette etc with a mince filling
Stuffed mushrooms- with soft cheese and stuffing
Can have loads of different stews- chicken and butternut squash maybe....