Fabulous Food Friday

A Cookbook Review:
A few months ago I heard about a new cookbook coming out that secretly includes vegetables in ordinary, everyday foods, undetectable by kids. I was ready to buy it then, but it wasn't being released until October. Then I saw that the author, Jessica Seinfeld, was going to appear on the Oprah show. I tuned in, and like many other viewers, couldn't wait to get my hands on Deceptively Delicious.

As soon as I was able to, I went to the Borders bookstore to pick up my copy. I was not surprised one bit to learn that it had already sold out. What did surprise me was when I asked to be put on the waiting list and the manager told me she wasn't sure if they would be getting in another shipment. Are you kidding me!!! The author appears on the Oprah show, the book sells out in half a week and you aren't sure if there are more on order?...somebody needs to clue her in on the "Oprah effect."

I had better luck at Barnes and Noble. No, the cookbook wasn't in stock there either, but I was able to be put on the waiting list and a week later I got my book!

There is another book out there called "the Sneaky Chef" which has good reviews as well, but it isn't as stylish (love the retro cookbook vibe) or as well organized. Plus the author of Deceptively Delicious is the wife of Jerry Seinfeld, star of my all time favorite comedy series...and their three kids are the exact ages of mine right now, so what's good enough for the Seinfeld family is good enough for mine!

In order to add the fruits and veggies in a way that is undetected by kids, Jessica recommends pureeing them ahead of time and having them ready in 1/2 cup , pre-measured snack sized ziplock baggies. Here is what I have pureed so far —from top to bottom: red pepper, yams, pumpkin, mixed veggies , cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini and spinach. It only took a little over an hour to make all of these and now I am ready to add them to their food...shhh. Make sure they don't see you doing it!

Last Saturday, for breakfast, we enjoyed pancakes with pumpkin and for lunch the kids had mac and cheese with mixed veggies. They had no idea and ate up every last bite. This week I made cheese tortellini w/vodka sauce (with hidden zucchini and cauliflower).

And today I made red potatoes with eggs...Can you guess what's in them?

Cauliflower again! They couldn't tell and they cleaned their plates and then some. I am continuing to offer veggies on the side so they get used to eating them as part of a healthy meal, but it's also nice to know that they are getting an additional dose of vitamins and minerals in their other food as well. For the record, my kids are usually pretty good about eating fruits and veggies (they have been known to fight over broccoli before, as long as it's not cooked), but I love the idea of giving them even more!

This week I am going to try some of the recipes for baked goods (with spinach or zucchini)...that will be the real test. Now, if I could just get them to stop sneaking the Halloween candy!