THE SKINNY
FOODS & RECIPES FOR WEIGHT GAIN
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FOODS
• Food Tips
• Amazake
• Ensure
• Halvah

RECIPES
• Bread Spreads
• Halvah
• Shakes/Drinks
• Misc. Recipes

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FOOD TIPS

  • 1 cup of ice cream is about 350 calories, 4 tbsp chocolate syrup about 350 calories, 4 tbsp nuts in syrup about 350 calories, and 1 oz whipped cream about 55 calories - so a hot fudge sundae is about 1105 calories.
  • 4 tbsp peanut butter about 400 calories, 4 tbsp jelly about 200 calories, 2 slices white bread about 160 calories, so a peanut butter sandwich is about 760 calories.
  • 4 oz of dates is 376 calories plus you get a lot of important carbos and sugar. Any dried fruit can help you gain weight. For example, 1/2 cup of grapes is about 54 calories, but 1/2 cup of raisins is about 212 calories. Just by getting rid of the water the caloric value increases about 400%.
  • 1 cup of cooked white rice is about 185 calories. If you add 3 tbsp of oil to it, it becomes 560 calories, and if you add 2 oz pignolia nuts ("pine nuts"), it becomes 912 calories.
  • 1/2 cup of raw chick peas (garbanzo beans) is 360 calories.
  • Three 4" diameter pancakes from a pancake mix is about 350 calories. Add 2 tbsp oil to the batter, and it's 600 calories. Then add butter and syrup for another 255 calories and it becomes 825 calories.
  • Macadamia nuts and hickory nuts are about 200 calories an ounce. Nuts are also "iodine trappers".
  • Potato chips are about 160 calories per ounce, but they work against you because they have a lot of starch and salt. Starch fills you up quickly, and salt makes us thirsty so you drink a lot of liquid which in turn will make you full. But if you combine chips with high calories dips, then you benefit.
  • Don't eat popcorn, a cup is only 45 calories and it fills you up quickly. Even with a tbsp of oil, it's still only 170 calories. You're better off bringing your own snacks to the movies.
  • Olives! They're high in calories and monounsaturated fat, low in saturated fat (the bad kind), and have no cholesterol. Don't like olives? How about olive oil. This stuff supposedly helps prevent all kinds of bad stuff, including breast cancer. 1 tablespoon contains 120 calories! I drink a tablespoon or more every day, and it helps soothe my stomach too.

ENSURE

ENSURE by Ross Products (a division of Abbott Laboratories) is a lactose-free nutritional 8-oz shake that's specifically made for weight gain while adding extra nutrition to your diet (see "Success Stories" from 1995 and 1996). Ensure is used in many hospitals, and it's been a lifesaver when I have stomach problems. To the right is the "Nutrition Facts" for Ensure Plus (based on a 2000 calorie diet). I have not included vitamins and minerals because the table would be too large. But it contains vitamins and minerals you will find in a one-a-day type vitamin, at 15%-40% of the Recommended Daily Value (vitamin C is 80%).
Nutrient Amt %DV
Calories 360  
Cals from Fat 117  
TOTAL FAT 13g 20%
Sat. Fat 2g 10%
Cholest. <5mg <2%
Sodium 250mg 10%
Potassium 550mg 16%
TOTAL CARB. 47g 16%
Dietary Fiber <1g <4%
Sugars 17g  
Protein 14g 28%

AMAZAKE

Another super delicious shake comes from a company called Grainaissance. AMAZAKE is a drink made from whole grain brown rice and is out of this world. It has a slight nutty flavor and comes in a ton of different flavors. To the right are the "Nutrition Facts" for one 8oz shake (the Nutrition Facts on the back of the bottle differ from those on the Grainaissance website):
Nutrient Amt %DV
Calories 200  
Cals from Fat 35  
TOTAL FAT 4g 6%
Sat. Fat .5g 2%
Cholest. 0mg 0%
Sodium 20mg .8%
TOTAL CARB. 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Sugars 31g 64%
Protein 4g 8%
Calcium 40g 4%
Iron .6g 4%

HALVAH

A really good food for gaining weight is HALVAH, which is made from crushed sesame seeds. This stuff has an amazing 780 calories in 1 bar! It's also high in fat though. You can get Halvah bars at your local supermarket (a company called "Joyva", based in New York, makes them, but I'm sure there are other brands), or you can make your own (recipes follow). To the right are the Nutrition Facts for this yummy stuff:
Nutrient Amt %DV
Calories 780  
Cals from Fat 460  
TOTAL FAT 50g 77%
Sat. Fat 8g 40%
Cholest. 0mg 0%
Sodium 240mg 10%
TOTAL CARB 36g 16%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 20g 42%
Protein 12g 24%
Iron 3g 20%
HALVAH RECIPE #1

Ingredients
  • 1 Cup Sesame Seeds
  • 2 Tbsp Honey
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla (Optional)
  • 1 Tbsp Cocoa or Carob Powder (Optional)

Procedure

  1. Grind sesame seeds past meal stage into a nut butter.
  2. Scrape out into a bowl and dribble in the honey.
  3. Mix well until you get a sticky mass.
  4. For chocolate halvah, mix in cocoa (or carob) powder, but don't mix well; allow it to become marbled.
  5. For more vanilla flavor, add 1 tsp of vanilla with the honey.
  6. Line a small (about 4"x3") box with waxed paper and press in the mixture. Put in the refrigerator to chill for an hour or so, take out,and slice into cubes.
Yield: about 1 dozen 1" cubes
 

HALVAH RECIPE #2

Ingredients
  • 6 cups Granulated sugar
  • 4 tbsp Corn syrup
  • 1 tsp Lemon juice
  • 7 tbsp Sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp Shortening or oil
  • FOR SOFT HALVAH: 8 egg whites

Procedure

  1. Add cold sugar syrup to beaten egg whites.
  2. The prepared caramel-albumen paste is to be combined with prepared sesame seeds.
  3. Mix well until you get a sticky mass.
  4. Spread the paste onto a greased confectinary sheet or stainless-steel board, rolled out into a layer of about 5 cm and cut into 50-70-gram lumps. The form can be square, diamond, and/or rectangular. You can also form oblong braids.

BREAD SPREADS

CHEESE, ONION, & KETCHUP SPREAD

Ingredients
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small chunks
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1/2 small mild onion

Procedure
1. Blend or process thoroughly in a blender or food processor.
2. Chill well and keep in fridge until ready to spread on buttered bread

CHEESE, HAM & MAYO SPREAD

Ingredients
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small chunks
  • 4 slices boiled ham (vacuum packed, from meat case)
  • 2 cups mayo
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Barbecue spice mix

Procedure:
1. Blend or process thoroughly in a blender or food processor
2. Chill well and keep in fridge until ready to spread on buttered bread

CHOPPED LIVER AND BACON SPREAD

Ingredients
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs
  • 6 chicken livers fried in lots of olive oil
  • 2 cups mayo
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup crisp fried bacon

Procedure:
1. Blend or process thoroughly in a blender or food processor
2. Chill well and keep in fridge until ready to spread on buttered bread

RUSSIAN PEANUT CHEESE SPREAD

Ingredients
  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup Russian dressing
  • 1 cup peanut butter



Procedure:
1. Blend or process thoroughly in a blender or food processor
2. Chill well and keep in fridge until ready to spread on buttered bread

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA SPREAD

Ingredients
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup very ripe banana
  • 2 tbsp butter


Procedure:
1. Blend or process thoroughly in a blender or food processor
2. Chill well and keep in fridge until ready to spread on buttered bread

LIVER SAUSAGE SPREAD

Ingredients
  • 1 cup liver sausuage
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Pinch of ground cloves

Procedure:
1. Blend or process thoroughly in a blender or food processor
2. Chill well and keep in fridge until ready to spread on buttered bread

SHAKES/DRINKS

SUPER SUPPER SHAKE

Ingredients
  • 1 Pkg Instant Breakfast mix
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 Cup whole milk
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ cup ice cream
  • 1 Med. banana

Procedure
Mix well. This can also be frozen.

Nutritional Info:
750 calories, 25g protein

BANANA BERRY SHAKE

Ingredients
  • 1½ Cup strawberries
  • 1 Cup Half-n-Half
  • 1 Cup Crushed ice
  • 1 Banana
  • 1 Cup dry milk powder
  • 1 Med. banana
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 Tsp wheat germ
  • ½ Tsp vanilla

Procedure: Mix well.

HONEY SHAKE

Ingredients
  • 2 Small bananas
  • 1½ Cup ice cream
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1 Pkg. vanilla instant breakfast
  • 1 Tbsp honey

Procedure: Mix well.

Nutritional Info:
985 calories, 29g protein, source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium

The above 3 shake recipes were submitted by Julee at gregreed@voyager.net.
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE MALTED MILK

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup ice-cold heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup ice cold milk
  • 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
  • 1-2 tbsp malted milk powder
  • 2 big scoops premium-quality chocolate ice cream

Procedure
Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

ALMOND SECRET

Ingredients
  • 3 cups ice-cold heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup ice cold milk
  • 1/4 cup crushed ice
  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 big scoops premium-quality vanilla ice cream

Procedure
Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.


MISC. RECIPES

HIGH-OCTANE VEGETARIAN SPAGHETTI AND EGGS

Ingredients
  • 1/2 lb cooked spaghetti
  • 2 oz extra virgin oil
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 2 cups canned or bottled Hollandaise sauce
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs

Procedure
1. Mix spaghetti with oil and oregano.
2. Heat hollandaise sauce in double boiler with cheese until cheese melts.
3. Place hot spaghetti on plate and garnish with hard-boiled eggs cut into quarters.

CHINESE NOODLE SALAD

Ingredients
  • 1 lb egg noodles
  • 4 tbsp Chinese sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp high-quality Chinese soy sauce

Procedure:
1. Cook egg noodles for about 4 mins. Rinse under running water and shake dry in colander.
2. Add sesame oil and soy sauce. Refrigerate until well-chilled but not stiff. 3. Serve with "Chinese Sweet-Sour Noodle Sauce":

  • 6 tbsp peanut butter
  • 5 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp high-quality Chinese soy sauce
  • 2 tsps high-quality Chinese vinegar
  • 8 tbsp Chinese sesame oil
  • 5 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
  • 1/2 tsp powdered onion
  • Hot pepper sauce to taste

Procedure:

1. Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender.
2. Serve the sauce cold on cold noodles or hot on hot noodles.
EGG-CHEDDAR-RICE BAKE

Ingredients
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
  • 1/4 lb stick of butter
  • Hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste

Procedure
1. Beat eggs thoroughly and mix with all ingredients except bread crumbs and butter.
2. Pour into greased baking pan and cover uniformly with bread crumbs.
3. Cut butter into 8 pieces and distribute over top of bread crumbs.
4. Bake for about 35 mins at 325 degrees or until done.

RYE PANCAKES

Ingredients
  • 1 cup prepared pancake mix
  • 4 tbsp rye flour
  • 3 tbsp heavy cream (whipping cream), which adds 50 calories per tbsp

Procedure
1. Follow recipe on box, but add heavy cream to mix instead of milk or water
2. Serve hot with a big pat of butter and plenty of honey or syrup

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 8 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp real vanilla extract
  • Optional: 6 tbsp cocoa powder (if you want chocolate buttercream)

Procedure
Mix together and use on cakes, cookies, cupcakes, or gingerbread.

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 8 cups powdered sugar
  • 8 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 tsp real vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream

Procedure
Mix together and use on cakes, cookies, or cupcakes.

CHEESE BACON FEAST

Butter a slice of bread, croissant, or toast. Cover with 2 slices of cheese (any kind). Lay 4 strips of fried bacon on top. Place it all under broiler until cheese melts around the bacon.

GRITS

Dried corn that's ground fine with the bran and germ removed. Cook them in water like rice. When they get cold, pack them in a square shallow pan and cut them in thick slices. Fry the slices in bacon fat and while they're still hot, serve them covered in hot sugar syrup.

NUT AND CHEESE SANDWICH

Butter a slice of bread. Add two layers of cheddar cheese. Cover cheese with shelled walnuts, pecans, or pieces of macadamia nuts. Top with another slice of buttered bread. Dip entire sandwich into a well-beaten egg and lower into a frying pan full of hot olive oil or butter. Fry until brown on one side, then turn and brown the other side. Make sure cheese is thoroughly melted.

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