Aging brings many changes to your body, one being dulled taste buds. Foods that used to taste good slowly lose their appeal. Spring and summer are the perfect time to try new recipes and liven up the palate. Head out to the farmer’s market to get seasonal ingredients with a fresh taste and high nutritional value, then make these easy recipes to enjoy all season long.

Banana Split Oats — Go Bananas for This Breakfast Dish

People of all ages are tempted to skip the most important meal of the day and stay curled up in bed, rather than wake up to bland food choices. Well, you can help your loved one beat the morning blues with this recipe that will have them going bananas.

The banana split oats are one of our favorite easy meals for seniors to make because it’s packed with nutrients that keep older adults going on busy summer mornings. Plus, it only requires a few simple ingredients!

Ingredients:

½ cup old-fashioned oats

1 cup water

⅛ tsp. salt

5 oz vanilla Greek yogurt

1 banana, sliced

Optional: Diced strawberries, chopped walnuts, and melted semi-sweet chocolate chips for garnish

Directions:

  1. Combine the oats, water, and salt in a saucepan and cook over medium heat. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about five minutes or until the oats reach the desired consistency.
  2. Spoon the prepared oatmeal into a bowl and place the yogurt on top.
  3. Layer the bananas around the edges and add the optional strawberries, nuts, and chocolate at this point.

And that’s it! Now, you can enjoy one of the top easy meals for seniors to make any day of the week. The fiber in the dish will provide fuel all morning long, reduce bad cholesterol, and stabilize blood sugar.

Salmon Pasta Dish — This Recipe Packs a Powerful Punch

Our dietitians are always looking for ways to make mealtime interesting and exciting for our residents. Here is a recipe for a salmon pasta dish you can whip up in about 30 minutes. It is perfect for a busy or hot summer night when you want to make something simple, healthy, and light. It’s the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables and makes enough for the whole family (or allows for easy lunch leftovers)! Be creative by using different fish and in-season vegetables to adapt this easy meal so it can be made year-round.

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchinis sliced into thin medallions

1 clove of garlic, minced or pressed

2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

4 leaves basil, chopped

4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 tsp. dried oregano

salt

pepper

3/4 lb. orecchiette pasta

4 salmon filets

Directions:

  1. Heat a large pot of salted water on high until it is boiling. Add zucchini and cook for 3 minutes or until just tender.
  2. With a slotted spoon, shake dry the zucchini, then transfer it to a large bowl along with the garlic, cherry tomatoes, basil, 3 tablespoons olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano. Stir gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside.
  3. Return water to boiling and add orecchiette pasta. Cook 2 minutes less than the label directs, then drain. Transfer the pasta to the bowl with vegetables and toss well.
  4. Meanwhile, heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet on medium-high. Rub the remaining tablespoon of olive oil on the flesh side of the salmon filets; season with salt and pepper. Add the filets to the heated pan, skin side up. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bottom is browned.
  5. Divide the pasta salad among four plates and top with salmon and any leftover dressing from the salad bowl.

Tips:

  • You can grill the salmon if your senior enjoys a more charred flavor.
  • Wild salmon is best because it is leaner and much higher in healthy fats, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals that are important for your senior’s heart health, brain function, and joints.
  • This recipe calls for the pasta salad and salmon to be warm, but you can certainly cook this ahead of time and serve it chilled for a light, refreshing meal.
  • Feel free to mix up the shape of the pasta and the way you cut the vegetables to keep this dish interesting, even after multiple preparations.
  • This recipe is so simple that your loved one will enjoy adding it to their arsenal of easy meals for seniors to make.

Spiced Chicken & Pineapple Salad — Give Your Taste Buds Some Fun

We can’t talk about easy meals for seniors to make during the summer without mentioning some form of salad. This spiced chicken and pineapple salad makes use of a variety of contrasting flavors and textures for a culinary explosion in your mouth — and it can be made in under 30 minutes (provided you already have cooked chicken on hand). Here’s everything you need to know about making this summer recipe packed with protein, fruits, and vegetables.

Ingredients:

½ pound cooked chicken breast (seasoned with chili powder and black pepper or BBQ sauce)

8 oz can pineapple in juice

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 bag mixed leaf salad

small bunch of coriander with leaves picked

5-6 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 red chili, deseeded and chopped

2 tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 tbsp. Sweet chili sauce

Directions:

  1. Drain the pineapple, keeping the juice. Make sure the pineapple is cut into chunks.
  2. Mix the pineapple with the chicken, sliced onion, green leaves, coriander, and cherry tomatoes. Divide the salad into two dishes or place one serving in a plastic container for later.
  3. Make the dressing by whisking 2 tbsp. of the pineapple juice with the red chili, vinegar, and sweet chili sauce.
  4. Toss the salad in the dressing before serving.

The best part about this salad is that it can serve many purposes. Reuse any leftover chicken from a previous meal to make this salad. Or customize it to create a variety of quick and easy senior recipes for summer, such as swapping out the pineapple for another fruit, using a different type of homemade salad dressing, or using grilled chicken instead of spiced (after all, grilling chicken is healthy!). The possibilities are endless!

Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich — A Fresh Twist on a Classic

Did your loved one grow up eating tuna salad sandwiches? You can help them return to the good ol’ days with this heart-healthy sandwich. While avocados help lower cholesterol and provide a great amount of potassium, tuna is jam-packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which strengthen the heart and boost the immune system. If your elderly parent is interested in cutting back on carbohydrates, they can swap out the sandwich bread for a flour tortilla or crackers. With just a few simple ingredients, this is one of the easiest senior meals to enjoy on a warm summer day.

Ingredients:

5 oz can tuna, drained

½ avocado, chopped

¼ minced red onion

½ cup minced celery

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. lemon zest

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

½ tsp. salt

ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl using a fork. Make sure you mash up the avocado and break apart the pieces of tuna as you combine the ingredients.
  2. Give your tuna salad a taste. If it needs more olive oil or salt and pepper, add it now.
  3. Serve on sandwich bread, tortillas, or crackers.

Crustless Spinach Pie — For Those Cheesy Moments

Sometimes, we crave dishes chock-full of cheese, even when they’re not good for us! If a craving hits, try making this crustless spinach pie, which has a creamy taste that melts on your tongue and helps you eat your veggies. Spinach is a great source of vitamins and has plenty of nutrients that boost eye and brain health and help lower blood pressure. Here’s everything you need to know to make one of the easiest meals for seniors:

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. onion, diced

12 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of liquid

5 large eggs, beaten

1 ½ cups heavy cream

2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a pie pan with cooking spray.
  2. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Saute the diced onion until it is translucent (this should take about 6-8 minutes).
  3. Mix the onion, spinach, egg, heavy cream, cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into the pie pan.
  4. Bake the crustless spinach pie in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know the pie is done when the eggs are set.
  5. Cut the pie into 6 slices and serve.

Enjoy Healthy Meals and Companionship at Wesley Enhanced Living

Good food and good company make for a pleasurable afternoon. Not only will your Mom and Dad enjoy a tasty meal, but the additional company helps boost mental and emotional wellness. Staying socially connected is imperative to an enjoyable life. The continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) at Wesley Enhanced Living can help your elderly loved ones enjoy nutritious meals and the social interaction they need to thrive.

Contact one of our independent living facilities in Philadelphia and find out why our seniors love it here. Our staff is happy to discuss your elder’s needs or your own, give you a tour, and inform you of our services.