There are tried and true methods involving particular recipes, flavours, and textures that will likely hasten the return of the senses. Let’s look at some recipes that may help.

Restore your taste or smell after COVID-19

We are over a year into the pandemic; and while we are still discovering certain after-effects of it, certain complication of COVID-19 infection are prevalent. Loss of of smell (“anosmia”) or taste (“ageusia”), and often both is one of the most common ones. Thankfully, doctors, nutritionists and therapists already have some insight into how to help food be more palatable to those bland taste buds or noses. Dr. Jennifer Prabhu, [Co-Founder & CEO, Circee Health Pvt. Ltd. MD, MT (ASCP), FAAP, FACP], shares a few recipes that employ solid flavours and smell. These recipes rely on different textures, as this uses another one of your body’s senses – the sense of touch. You see, when you incorporate a properly working sense, it seems to help along with the senses that are still struggling.

1. CHICKPEA MISO LEMON NOODLE SOUP (umami, sour, mixed texture, warm temperature)

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 small red or white onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 5 cups – about 1L vegetable broth (we use 5 cups water + 5 tbsp broth powder)
• 1.5 cups (255 g) cooked & drained chickpeas
• ½ cup (uncooked) pasta of your choice
• juice of one lemon
• 2 tablespoons miso
• salt, pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Heat oil over low heat in a medium-sized pot.
2. Saute the onion and garlic, along with a pinch of salt. Cook for a few minutes until translucent.
3. Add the broth and simmer for 20-30 minutes to make your broth.
4. Add the cooked chickpeas and the pasta- and cook until the noodles are tender and cooked through about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
5. Now add the miso, stirring enough, so it is not clumpy.
6. Squeeze in the lemon, add salt and pepper to taste
7. Serve immediately, with some crackers or fried onions for texture

2. VEGAN MEXICAN CHOCOLATE BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE (cold, spicy, liquid texture, chocolate)

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

• ½ cup oats
• 1 cup plant-based milk (almond, soy, coconut, oat)
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder or chocolate syrup
• 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (red Mirchi) powder
• 1-2 tsp brown sugar, agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup
• 1 banana, previously sliced and frozen for at least 6 hours

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients except for the banana in a container, cover and keep in a cool place overnight
2. Next morning, add the banana and the above mixture to a blender
3. Serve immediately

Happy eating! We do hope that these recipes start to awaken your sense of smell and taste buds.

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