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EAT => Eating For Toddlers => Topic started by: Peek-a-boo on October 09, 2007, 00:18:13 am

Title: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 09, 2007, 00:18:13 am
Did any one see the segment on Oprah today about the cook book "Deceptively Delicious" with recipes for everything under the sun packed with veggie purrees as a way to get kids eating veggies?

I guess it is similar to "the Sneaky Chef."  Anyone seen or uesd either of these?  Thoughts?

Title: Re: Deceptively Delicious--on Oprah Today
Post by: Missy Lou on October 09, 2007, 00:42:54 am
i'm not home for oprah but i just saw something about it on another site - cool mom picks.com  (no space in the site but i wanted you to be able to read the name of the site.  i'd be interested in reading up on it.  addie has gotten so picky.  she'll try stuff sometimes but usually it's no and pushes it away ::)
Title: Re: Deceptively Delicious--on Oprah Today
Post by: meltown on October 09, 2007, 00:46:26 am
I saw it.  I think it is a great Idea, but I think you need to teach your kids to eat veggies too, but in the mean time I think it is a great Idea!!!  I am curious what they taste like.  I imagine you can't tell that much that it is there.
Title: Re: Deceptively Delicious--on Oprah Today
Post by: Sarah˛ on October 09, 2007, 00:46:53 am
I read about it in People magazine and also saw something about it somewhere. The author is Jerry Seinfeld's wife.  :) She makes brownies with spinach in them.  :o  ;D
Title: Re: Deceptively Delicious--on Oprah Today
Post by: Jaime on October 09, 2007, 00:52:57 am
i am amazed at what people can hide spinach in - remember this thread about spinach in smoothies??

here it is
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=69135.0

i have found that i can hide all kinds of stuff in smoothies - kids drink them right down!!   ;D
Title: Re: Deceptively Delicious--on Oprah Today
Post by: Sarah˛ on October 09, 2007, 00:55:44 am
Not my weird Henry - he absolutely will NOT drink smoothies.  ::)
Title: Re: Deceptively Delicious--on Oprah Today
Post by: meltown on October 09, 2007, 01:02:51 am
you shoudl get that book sarah!  she puts the spinich in brownies and cookies and a bunch of other things.  it is crazy!
Title: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 10, 2007, 04:03:39 am
Ok i had heard about a new cookbook by Jerry Sienfeld's wife jessica that was all about cooking and adding purees to your family's meals all while still being yummy for everyone.  I get Oprah's email updates / newsletter stuff and was so psyched to see this on her update.  we have not had the episode air here yet with jessica Sienfeld but we get to benefit as she posted videos and recipes etc !!  i suggest you check it out - i am so making the brownies this weekend! and plan to start pureeing again (something i thought or in the past but did not know how to adapt recipes etc so now there are recipes for everything from sweet to savoury, breakfast to dinner)

enjoy! and if anyone cooks any of these or has the book can you post back with how it went - any cooking tips? kids reactions? successes?

here's the link to the recipes - the rest of the info is there to if you follow different sections
link to recipes
http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/food/jseinfeld/recipes/jseinfeld_recipes_main.jhtml
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 10, 2007, 14:30:31 pm
oh - this sounds great!!!

I'll bet a lot of the recipes work, too - I once pureed an entire head of cauliflower in the blender, added one small cooked potato, some milk, butter and salt and called them mashed potatos.  Dh (who is my pickiest eater ;)) gobbled them up and was raving about them!  He HATES cauliflower ;D  I didn't tell him what they were till a few days later ;)

Lt me know how the brownies turn out :-*
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 10, 2007, 22:21:51 pm
LOL that is great. i have been reading the message boards on oprah and the reviews on amazon and a lot of ladies have been pointing out how much this has worked with their dh's too.  many non-veg eating dads are now getting their vitamins!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on October 10, 2007, 22:46:17 pm
I just borrowed the cookbook from a coworker today and made a few copies.... I can't wait to try the pink pancakes (beets)  ;D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 10, 2007, 22:54:47 pm
ooh jessica - i will have to wait til december to get my copy brought over and just have the recipes given on oprah. if you try the oatmeal cookies and like them (i think they are the ones with chickpeas in them) could you send me the recipe to try. i like the portable protein idea.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on October 10, 2007, 23:08:19 pm
will do Deb!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Maximum on October 11, 2007, 00:16:35 am
My son and I made chicken nuggets last night with broccoli puree and they were DELICIOUS!!!! Highly recommend them!

I have pureed some squash and am going to try the pancakes this weekend and make some blueberry bars for ds's preschool...You can actually print off some of the recipes at the Oprah site. I am hoping to try some of the brownies too made with spinach and carrots just need the time to get it all together!!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: DavidsMomma on October 11, 2007, 00:29:54 am
Thank you, thank you for the reminder!  I had heard she was on Oprah and missed it, and then completely forgotten!  I can't wait to look into this more!

Thanks again! 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 11, 2007, 03:29:14 am
cool!  let's all report in with what we tried and liked - especially those with the whole cookbook at hand (lucky!) glad to hear the nuggets went down well

my kids do not eat regular chicken nuggets so doubt they will eat her version but i am willing to try a batch! might enlist dh to make those on sunday and we will eat some too.

i am planning to try this month - brownies, eggs, pancakes, nuggets and mac and cheese (dh's homemade version is already quite healthy vs. the boxed kind, but i will try to sneak in some puree next time)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Blessed on October 11, 2007, 03:52:18 am
Ooooh, I'll join you!  My mom bought the book for me as an early b-day present.  I cooked and pureed last night. 

DS is a bread man.  Won't eat veggies because they are slimy.  I'm always trying to get him to eat more.

So far, I've made the banana bread (with pumpkin) DELISH!

Tonight, I made the egg cups (with yellow squash) DS said they were bread!  umm, okay!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 11, 2007, 12:11:23 pm
I've made pancakes with pureed squash and sweet potato before and they were yummy!  Haven't tried this recipe, but I'm sure it is so yummy! 

Bought some cauliflower last night to puree up and keep in the freezer to add to recipes :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 11, 2007, 14:20:01 pm
Thanks for posting this link, deb.  I'm envious of this woman who has been able to come up with these recipes herself.  I've been trying to sneak things in all over the place but haven't perfected anything. 

Last night we tried the mac 'n cheese with squash puree.  I liked it.  Could tell there was a hint of squash in there but it didn't bother me.  The kids loved it.  We used reduced fat cream cheese, whole grain pasta and 2% cheese as well.  DH wasn't as impressed, but he ate 2 servings, so it couldn't have been all that bad.   :P  I also added some sauteed red peppers.  I just like to have a little color to my mac n cheese.  I served it with broccoli, which actually the kids like. 

In the same vein, I made a deceptive oven 'fried' chicken the other night which we all loved.  Instead of breadcrumbs I used a mixture of oat bran, wheat germ, ground flax meal and parm. cheese and some seasonings.  Then coated the chicken pieces (after dipping in milk) and drizzled with olive oil instead of butter.  Mmmmm.  Can use it for legs or whatever.  I think it would also make a nice nugget.    I use about 1/3 cheese to 2/3 grains.  I think I'll try to combine my recipe wtih her broccoli puree one and see how that works. 

Also, what I did was baked the squash, pureed it then with the extra I put in 1 c. containers and put in the freezer so I can pull out to add to stews/ chili or spagh. sauce. 

I'm going to try a dessert this weekend.  This book is definitely on my Christmas wish list! 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 11, 2007, 14:20:51 pm
PS. I was looking all over for this thread and couldn't find it...maybe it should be in the recipes/home section?   ???
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 11, 2007, 16:14:15 pm
Maybe the "eating for toddlers" would be a good fit?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on October 11, 2007, 16:21:44 pm
Good idea Maggie, I will move it there for us  :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 11, 2007, 17:32:36 pm
LOL, I started a thread about this too after seeing it on Oprah.  (https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=105078.0) I ordered the book from Amazon as I happened to be ordering something else the day the show aired and wanted the order to be $25 so I didn't haave to pay shipping, LOL.  I always fall for that.   ;D

Happy to hear others like it.  DS can't have dairy, so hoping that there are plenty of recipes that don't rely to heavily on cheese. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on October 11, 2007, 18:01:37 pm
LOL Bethany, ok gonna merge the two.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 11, 2007, 18:13:05 pm
 8)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 11, 2007, 18:29:34 pm
Okay, I don't have the book yet, but just made a tuna casserole with pureed cauliflower in it (going to bake it tonight for dinner).  I tasted it already (it's already cooked up, just needs to be heated) and it was pretty good!  Next time, I may put a little less cauliflower in it (I put the equivalent of 1-1.5 heads!!!) but I can barely taste it and it gave it a smooth, creamy texture that is yum!  We'll see if dh notices ;)  I think I can only taste it because I know what it is ;)

I wanted to try and make the blueberry bars for dessert tonight, but I'm starting to run out of time for prep..  boo!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 11, 2007, 19:55:33 pm
Well, I had a chance to make the blueberry bars and they're in the oven - smell heavenly, but I'm not convinced they're going to taste good :-\  I'm also terrible at making that sort of pie crust/crumble stuff, so we'll see.  If they turn out gross, it will probably be more of my error than anything! :P  I also didn't have much blueberry perserves, so I simmered some frozen blueberries with sugar.  I tasted the mix once I added the spinach and it tasted, well, I could definately taste the spinach (which I actually don't mind), but the recipe says to wait until it cools for the taste to disappear, so we'll see!!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: LLLena on October 11, 2007, 20:23:12 pm
I just spotted this thread and I'm going to lurk a bit too. :)  This is really a great idea.  Anyone have a fav recipe yet?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 11, 2007, 21:22:50 pm
well, I don't have the book, so the only ones I got were the ones posted on Oprah's site.  Are there any other's online somewhere? 

I'm gonna do the quesadillas for tomorrow night.  Anyone tried those yet? 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 11, 2007, 22:29:31 pm
Excited because I had this random gift catalog thingy from which I needed to pick a gift.  There was nothing jumping out at me, but now . . . .

I've chosen a Cuisinart Stick Hand Blender.   ;D  It looks like it will make it really easy to puree small batches of fruits and veggies and be much easier to clean than the whole big ol' food processor.  So excited for it to come and my book.   
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on October 11, 2007, 23:45:49 pm
I agree with the poster who said we should try to teach our kids to eat fruits and veggies, but I get the idea that this is an overall better way to eat in general.  I think Jessica said that she still serves the whole veggie with the meal just so the kids know that there is nothing wrong with eating vegetables.  That's what I do now, even though dd (nor dh  ::)) eat them.
I can't wait to try these.  I'm going to print off the one's on Oprah and test them before buying the whole book. 
I never steam anything.  Any tips?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 12, 2007, 00:06:56 am
How did I miss the post about offering the veggies as "normal"?  Oh - I guess when they merged - I havent'' read through the whole thing.  Anyway, that's funny because I was thinking the same thing.  We all know that college kids aren't going to take the time to puree up their veggies - they're going to eat what's familiar and what they like. 

But my thought of it being a problem was quickly dismissed because I have no intention of not serving veggies the usual way and offering new food choices.  I think this is a great way to increase the servings of veggies (esp. during the toddler years when pickiness is at its peak). 

Heather - I usually steam things in a pot on the stove - put the washed veggies in (cut them into uniform pieces) and add a little bit of water, just to coat the bottom of the pan (maybe a half inch?).  The idea is to add enough water so that it doesn't evaporate while cooking.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat a bit (I usually go to about medium), cover and steam until tender.  Keep an eye on it and make sure that the water doesn't evaporate.  another way to do it is if you have a steamer basket (you lose less nutrients to the water this way).  Set up the same way as above, but instead of putting the veggies directly into the pot, place in the basket.  Put the basket in the pot so they don't touch the water, cover and steam.

So we had the blueberry bars and they were AWESOME!  Totally couldn't taste the spinach at all - dh couldn't even tell and he loved them (before AND after I told him what was in them!).
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Maximum on October 12, 2007, 00:28:39 am
Oooh, I cant wait to try the blueberry bars this weekend!!!

I am going to try the meatloaf tonite--I am intending to put some spinach puree in it. I have tried putting frozen spinach in before but ds can spot anything green and pick it out! So I am hoping that this will hide it. I will say that ds helped me steam and puree the broccoli the other night when we made the chix nuggets...he actually then ate some of my spinach salad--claimed his salad taste bud came in that night ::)

I found it so interesting when Dr. Oz was talking about how many taste buds children have vs. adults and why kids tend to refuse veggies and their tastes...makes complete sense!

I will let you all know how it turns out!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on October 12, 2007, 00:29:51 am
Boy, there is a big brouhaha about J. Seinfield "stealing" these recipes from another author.  Any know much about the other book?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 12, 2007, 00:34:42 am
The other book is the Sneaky Chef.  I don't think the recipes are the same--just the puree concept.  When reading reviews on Amazon I noticed comparisons between the two, but that's all I know. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Blessed on October 12, 2007, 01:40:01 am
I have a veggie steamer and it works great.  I also just bought some Ziploc veggie steam bags that just came out.  I haven't tried them yet.

Tonight Carson ate SPINACH!  I made pizza on a pita bread.  Steamed and pureed spinach, topped that with pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni, and low fat mozz cheese.  He loved it!  The trick is to be sure that the pizza sauce covers the spinach so that they can't see it.  At one point he caught a glimpse of it and said, I don't want THAT pizza.  But I got him!

By the way, my son refuses all veggies despite my best effort.  This is a way to actually get some into him along with me offering them. 

Lets not turn this into a veggie debate but, a way to help each other with our picky eaters.  We all agree that we will continue to offer them.  :P
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: RachelC on October 12, 2007, 01:46:04 am
I think I must be the only bitter and resentful cow on here that is envious that I didn't marry Jerry Seinfeld so I could get all my "hide the good stuff" recipes published into a sy art deco book and go on Oprah!?

You will always be the "swamp mix" queen Aisling  :-*
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 12, 2007, 03:42:29 am
hi all - did not realize there were 2 threads. i understand about moving it, but the reason i did not put it in the toddler section to begin with was i wanted moms like me to find info on feeding veggies to our older kids who have truly cut out fruit and veg (many preschoolers and beyond go through a long period of eating a lot of carbs, or only white foods etc).  ni think those with older kids may never come to the toddlers section - could we at least put it in the recipes board for all to find???  just a thought.


anyway - 99% of my kids dinners include a vegetable serving on their plate but most (almost all  :-[) of those times it is untouched and i do not want food to be a battle and before i resort to vitamins i woudl at least try to get it in them in their natural state.  alex stopped eating veg alltogether when she was about 2 1/2 and liv even earlier (with some rare exceptions - alex will eat an occassional carrot and Liv loves cucumber and a rare tomato or still frozen corn- that's it!!)

Liv loves fruit at least but at 3 1/2 alex also dropped most fruits. - she will have an odd grape or banana but unless i sneak fruit into baked goods it is not enough. she will eat dried fruits but i have read you shoudl limit them to some degree (so not JUST eating dried) so i still try to encourage fresh as well as her daily apricots, raisins and some dates.

can you puree defrosted frozen spinach??? anythign changed in the texture? i imagine it is cheaper and more convenient to get chopped frozen spinach.  will have to look into it.

will be making the chickpea cookies from the cookbook this weekend - thanks Jess.

heather - you can buy a microwave steamer or a steamer basket/insert for your pots and then there is no contact with the water - just steam. i use bamboo steamer baskets or just boil in water sometimes.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 12, 2007, 04:02:56 am
Deb--let me know if you'd like me to modify the title in any way so as to attract other mothers most effectively.   :D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 12, 2007, 12:37:46 pm
yep, I wouldn't use any of these hidden veggies as a substitute for what I'd already serve, just sneaking it in there if they don't like what's on the side at least I know they are getting something.  My thought is you can never have enough or offer too many. 

Maggie, the cauliflower thing reminded me to make that again...In the spring I was making 'mashed potatoes' with 100% cauliflower.  The kids loved it.  Can't remember why I stopped, I think I just forgot about it.  I add a little fat free half/half, and some parm. cheese or mont. jack and it's yummy.  We're having that for dinner tonight! 

I have found the best way to get veggies that are noticeable into my kids is in curry.  They love it and just end up eating through everything not realizing what it is. 

Also, we have some rules at the table, and will compromise on teh things they 'don't like'.  So if they want a dessert (this week it's my homemade applesauce, but I call it dessert so they think of it as one!) then they have to eat enough real dinner.  the other night with zucchini, I said they each needed to eat a bite for every year they are.  Luke had to eat 2 and Dominic had to eat 4.  It's not much, but at least is teaching them the importance of eating the right stuff first before the treats. 

I did see the other books on Amazon that looked a little like Seinfeld's but aren't there duplicates of like every cookbook type anyway?  IMO, there isn't too much 'new' out there anyway.  There are cookbooks for everything.  How many mac 'n cheese recipes are there, ya know?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 12, 2007, 13:12:32 pm
Quote (selected)
Maggie, the cauliflower thing reminded me to make that again...In the spring I was making 'mashed potatoes' with 100% cauliflower.  The kids loved it.  Can't remember why I stopped, I think I just forgot about it.  I add a little fat free half/half, and some parm. cheese or mont. jack and it's yummy.

I've also made them with 100% cauliflower - ds really liked it, but dh, not so much.  So I've now realized that if I just put one small potato in them, then they get a potato-y taste and dh never knows!!!

Totally off the subject (sorry!) - you mentioned the fat free half and half - I was just thinking about this literally 5 minutes ago when I poured my coffee - I got half and half from the store the other day and was so disappointed when I saw brought it home and saw that it was fat free.  I mean, isn't it supposed to be half cream, half whole milk? ;)  how could that be fat free!  ;)(I think you already know that I prefer full fat versions of everything!!! ;D)  Andy Rooney did a segment recently on dairy products that was really funny.  I'll try to find the link.

anyway, here I am eating my yummy blueberry bar for breakfast (totally defeats the purpose of healthy cooking - even if it is full of spinach!  It's also full of sugar and fat!).  Seriously though, the blueberry bars are really good.

And about the whole thing regarding the idea of putting pureed veggies into food being stolen (that sentence is terrible - but you know what I mean!!!).  Kind of silly if you ask me.  Although, I would be a bit peeved if I was the other author as Seinfeld's wife already sort of has a name for herself and people will be turned onto her book and not others just because of the name :-\  It's nice to get ideas for recipes - even if they aren't new ideas.

sorry for the marathon post!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on October 12, 2007, 22:48:50 pm
I think I am a "queen" of sneaking puree veg into things.
I made a packet Choc chip cookies yesterday & replaced 50% of the butter with puree zuchini (corgette) & they worked perfectly. Infact I have worked out that most packet cakes etc (I do because of 2yo concentation span) you can replace 50% of the fat with a veg puree & it works.
I also replace 50% of the sugar with pear puree in many of my from scratch receipes.
I'm now thinking maybe I should actually start writing them down & sharing them.

BTW you can puree frozen spinach, I add it to my Bolognaise sauce.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 13, 2007, 03:01:15 am
when you use pureed fruit for sugar substitute does it change how you bake it?  I made these muffins once with apple juice concentrate instead of sugar and i swear they burnt so quickly.  I was just wondering if things baked different. 

I've also been able to successfully substitute low fat yogurt for a lot of oil/butter in things. 

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: NKmommy on October 13, 2007, 05:25:23 am
Yay!  So glad there is a post about this!  Since the show, I have been pureeing like crazy.  Thanks for all the recs.   Here is what we have done.

Mac n cheese with butternut squash - delicious!  Even dh (who won't touch a veggie) didn't know until I told him afterwards. 

Waffles with banana and flaxseed. 

Turkey meatballs with pureed spinach (I just steamed the frozen stuff) and carrot - aside from the color (ds called them "green balls and ham"  ;D), you would never know there was a veggie in them. 

 :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on October 13, 2007, 05:34:27 am
(ds called them "green balls and ham"  ;D),

ROFL!!!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on October 13, 2007, 12:41:41 pm
Yay!  I got the book! 
The introduction, I thought, was really well written and really has me motivated.  That, and the rave reviews on this thread.  Will be doing my shopping tomorrow.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Blessed on October 13, 2007, 16:10:40 pm
Yesterday was a grilled cheese sandwich with carrot puree on top of the cheese.  DS loved it!

For breakfast I made pancakes with canned pumpkin!  They were SO good. It was one cup of pancake mix, 1/2 cup pumpkin, some pumpkin pie spice and one cup of water.  Her recipe called for sweet potato but, I haven't pureed it yet. 

Here are some pics along with my pizza with spinach!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on October 13, 2007, 18:07:49 pm
Great, visual aids  ;) ;D.  Good job. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 14, 2007, 08:28:11 am
ok i made the (chickpea) chocolate chip cookies with the girls this afternoon. i had planned to do the brownies too but i am quite ill so was impressed enough that i followed through with some of the baking plans  ;D

i just happed to check my favourite blog today (suburban bliss) and she too is trying out DD recipes and happened to start with the same cookies - small world eh?  so i took a cue from her results and decided to puree the chickpeas (recipe just says to drain and rinse) with a little water so it was a smooth and slightly runny consistency.

don't know if this one change made all the difference BUT it yielded way more than 2 dozen cookies (using a generous TBS per cookie) and too way longer than the time on the recipe (average time for mine was 25 min!!!)

but they taste great!! and the kids loved em as did dh and myself!

will make the brownies later this week - got all the ingredients just need to feel up to it  HTH
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on October 14, 2007, 15:53:36 pm
Sophie, sugar has a lot to do with cooking times and burning. If you substitute something for sugar you'll definitely have to keep a close eye on it.

I made the pink pancakes for breakfast this morning, and they are AWESOME! The flavor is great, you can't taste the beets at all and once and a while you get a taste of the apple. I added a dash more cinnamon and that was good too. Only thing is, the recipe says to cook them on medium-high and that did NOT work for me. The outside was cooked but middles weren't. Once I turned down the heat it was fine. And I had to make two batches of batter because one wasn't enough for us three. DH wasn't too crazy about the consistency, I think it was the ricotta cheese that made it more gooey. Me and DS liked it though.  8)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 14, 2007, 18:48:33 pm
deb where did you find the chickpea cookie recipe?  Was it on that link you put up?  I didn't find them.  Or did you buy the book? 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 14, 2007, 19:30:14 pm
I also noticed that it took WAY longer to cook the blueberry bars than it instructed on the recipe.  She must have an oven that is way off (of course, it couldn't be mine ;))
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 14, 2007, 21:39:54 pm
i got the recipe from Jess as i really wanted totry to make a healthier cookie.

maybe super fancy ovens are more efficient and cook faster - or maybe she used fan forced and did not note that on the recipes  ::)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on October 14, 2007, 23:01:19 pm
Yes Sophie I think it does change the time etc it cooks... thing is I have NEVER followed a recipe properly & cook things by "look" so I don't really know the difference it makes... I never substitute 100% sugar or fat, but often do about 50%.

My biggest problem is I have a child who likes food unadulterated, so he won't eat Mac & cheese or cheese on toast, or pancakes & pretty much the only things I can sneak veg into is "sweet stuff" Mash potato & rissoles. At least he eats fruit & will have a bite (very small) of a green veg.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 14, 2007, 23:29:11 pm
well, I'm waiting for my beet choc. cake to bake.  It sure smells good.  I tasted the batter  :-X and didn't taste any beets.  DS helped me bake it and thought it was funny how the color turned out. 

But it dawned on me that at least in this particular recipe, the amount of beets that you will get in one serving of cake is probably miniscule.  There's only a 1/2 c. in the whole cake.  Oh well, I guess every bit counts and as long as I'm not expecting this cake to be a veggie serving for the day it's probably ok.    ;)   Although, maybe I jsut have to eat more cake so I can get more beets into myself.   :P  Hmmm....
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 15, 2007, 00:19:37 am
sophie - my thought with the sweets/desserts is not to use them as my primary addition of veg but that i will use those recipes in place of a "regular" dessert (in which case 1/2 - 1c veg in a dessert is pretty great).  i also cut back on the chocolate chips in the cookies from 2cups to about 1 1/2c and i think next time i would go down to 1 c as there is still a lot of choc chips in it and my girls are not used to having chocolate in large amounts anyway so to them 4 choc chips in a cookie woudl be enough rather than 6-10 iykwim  etc

Alex is like Kate's ds - she likes everything separated and no sauce and does not eat things like bolognaise, rissoles, meatloaf etc so i have no place to hide veg. i am going to try to put cauliflower in their mac and cheese (it is white) and scrambled eggs

my plan is to make the recipes as is first and then see how i can push them out a bit without tipping my hand. so fot the cookies, next batch i will put less choc chips and more oats in them ansd will replace some of the butter/marg.

with the brownies (when i get to them) i will see how it is to start and then see if i can increase the veg content further and decrease the choc.

not a DD recipe but here is the muffin recipe i use to get fruit and veg in alex as itis  - from allrecipes.com and i read through many of the comments to get ideas to tweak it (like using wholemeal flour). i also added dried apricots and rasins and grated carrots successfully at times.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Addictive-Pumpkin-Muffins/Detail.aspx
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 15, 2007, 02:04:25 am
the cake is yummy!  Kids loved it, and thought it was funny it had beets in it.  DH loved it as well.  I used a peanut butter frosting (thin layer) instead of what she had with the recipe.  But we use natural peanut butter, so a little more healthy.  The baking time was right for me, just 5 min longer 'cuz I used a smaller pan so it was a thicker cake. 

I should post I have a carrot/apple/raisin/oatbran/flax muffin recipe that you reminded me about. 

We're going to make the quesadillas tomorrow. 

BTW I'm freezing my extra purreed parts in small batches.  I'm hoping this works ok and doesn't give things a funny texture. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Maximum on October 15, 2007, 02:44:16 am
We just tried the Italian meatloaf tonite with pureed carrot...I also substituted some of the bread crumbs with flaxseed mix.


It came out a lot runnier that my regular meatloaf and required longer cooking than the 45 minutes suggested. DS was not thrilled with it (consistency of the meat) but dh loved it ::) Next time I will use more breadcrumbs/flaxseed to make it more of a loaf.

I am going to try banana bread with spinach tomorrow after work--although I am not much of a baker so we shall see :-[
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 17, 2007, 15:03:26 pm
How is everyone doing?  Anybody tried the brownies yet?

Sophie - I wouldn't think that freezing the purees would have any effect - I used spinach puree that was frozen in the blueberry bars and they turned out beautifully :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on October 17, 2007, 17:01:58 pm
I think the book actually suggests freezing your purees and defrosting in the microwave or warm water as needed.  I was going to batch up the purees based on serving sizes of the receipes I've picked out and freeze them if I don't plan to use them quickly.

I made the choc. chip cookies, too, Deb.  I'm with you, though; that was way too many choc. chips.  I didn't even put in the full 12 oz, probably only 2/3 of the 12 oz bag.  Then, I was picking chips out while spooning the batter onto the baking sheet  :-\ .  But, my cookies were kind of dry and bland.  I'm not complaining b/c they are still edible, but just wondering if I did something wrong.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sophiems on October 17, 2007, 18:50:23 pm
We tried the quesadillas the other night.  The kids liked them ok.  The squash was definitely visible and you could kind of taste it.  Even I really hate squash, though, and thought they were good.  However, I'd assemble them a little differently than the recipe does for next time.  I'd mash the squash and the beans and the sour cream together instead of mixing the squash with the cheese.  We also used black beans, b/c we just had them on hand. 
And the frozen squash worked fine! 

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 17, 2007, 22:02:13 pm
Heather - did you puree the chickpeas like i did or leave them whole like in the recipe?  ours turned out super soft and moist.  the cookie itself is like a BASE for the chocolate chips inmy mind. there is little flavour (and the kids can't tell the chickpeas are there), but there is chocolate in most every bite so that flavour stands out instead of sugary cookie.

on a negative - i have now eaten SOOOO many of those cookies i am sure i have gained weight. i usually have my own cookies and the girls have theirs, but since this made so many and i was not sure if you coudl/would freeze them, they were sitting in a container and i have been sick with a cold/flu and stuffing my face  :-[  Next time i will try freezing 4 per ziplock bag so the girls get 2 each. i usually bake muffins and loaf cakes that freeze well in portions.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: maggie2 on October 17, 2007, 22:30:47 pm
Deb - I had the same issue with the blueberry bars - they were so good I ate just about all of them - luckily I gave about a third of them away before I was able to get my greedy little fingers on them ;)  But the problem with the blueberry bars is that they are the perfect (taste-wise, NOT nutrition-wise!) breakfast with a cup of coffee - yum. 

I am going to concentrate on the non-dessert recipes from now on!  And then when I make the occassional dessert, I'll know they're good and I can go ahead and make them (as long as I give most away!!!) :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Maximum on October 18, 2007, 04:27:18 am
I made a banana bread with choc chips and spinach puree on Monday with ds. It was very good and I am hoping it got some spinach into the kid. I did end up bringing it to work today to colleagues could finish it but fortunately the reviews were good--NOBODY could believe it had spinach in it!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on October 18, 2007, 06:30:37 am
kate is that a DD recipe or from someone else? want to share?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on October 18, 2007, 22:25:39 pm
Deb-I left the chickpeas whole, but it's the cookie dough that is spongy.  I don't know, but I'm still eating them  ::).

Made the chicken salad-pretty good.  Made the burgers (1) with cauliflower.  They were okay, a little too moist, but I'm sure I can work on them next time. 

Overall, I'm slightly disappointed with my first 3 items.  I kind of wish I'd waited to buy the book and used the "free" recipes on oprah.com first.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Maximum on October 18, 2007, 23:36:46 pm
The (spinach) banana bread with choc chips did not come from the book. I used a regular banana bread recipe, used only one egg instead of two--I am not a baker by any means so the fact that it worked for me is a miracle and must mean it is SUPER easy and effortless!!!

I have not bought the book yet either as I am going to try working my way through the free recipes first...

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: ~Kiki on November 06, 2007, 16:12:22 pm
I did buy the book and love it. Some of the recipes need some tweeking for my family, but it gives the chief of the house some good ideas of how to sneak a little extra vitamins into our families diets. I think my little one (16 mo) is too picky for most of the recipes. She won't eat noodles with anything on it, bread with anything, basically she doesn't like her foods together or touching. I've tested a few out and they're on our rotation. It may take awhile for our lo to eat them though...What I like is that I can sneak some extra veggies past my husband and most of the recipes use lowfat or nonfat ingredients. Here are a couple of the recipes we've tried and how they worked out...

Chicken nuggets with broccoli was very good. I had to play with the temperature a little because I overcooked them. This was the only recipe where I could taste the veggie (maybe with something other than broccoli this would not be the case, but our family likes the taste of it so not a problem here).

Quesadillas they are fabulous. Too hard for my lo to eat (plus everything was touching :)). The puree all fell out, but she loved finger painting in it.

Mac and cheese 1 by far my favorite. I think I could eat a whole thing myself. Rich, creamy, yum yum!

Burger 1 was very good and very filling.

Brownies turned out very rich and not fluffy. I'm not the best baker, so maybe I did something wrong.

Chocolate chip cookies were very good when warm. I did not puree the chick peas (which the directions said not to puree, just wash and add). When they cooled the chick peas were very obvious with texture and taste. I think next time I'll try pureeing. Even when the cooled and the peas were obvious they all got eaten.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on November 06, 2007, 20:02:52 pm
I did the egg puffs this weekend and they were YUMMY! You could taste the yellow squash but the flavor was good with the egg and cheese - it fit.  :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on November 06, 2007, 21:55:40 pm
I just wanted to add a trick I tried & worked the other day.
When the recipe asked for 1 cup of milk I replaced it with skim milk powder & made the liquid up with veg puree (diluted to liquid) I have also taken to changing 1/4 of the sugar volume to fruit puree & 1/3 oil/fat volume to veg puree for nearly avery recipe I make... the only thing is I need to keep an eye on the cooking time.
I tried masshed banana in a chocolate cake the other day, but that was too puddingy.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mum to Ella Rose on November 06, 2007, 23:23:56 pm
Haven't had a chance to read the whole thread yet but I wanted to mark my place as I finally bought the book!

Have made the "buttery noodles" (think that's the name  :-\  ) We all LOVED it!

Burgers 1, again really good. Did them with ground chicken.

Potato soup, really is like eating mashed potatoes! A bit bland for my taste but yummy still and comforting.

French toast, really really good and easy. Dh said it was the best french toast he ever had.

Needless to say, pretty happy so far! Oh yeah, and the avocado dip. Too smooth and creamy for dh but dd likes it. Though she eats straight avocado and raw garlic too.  :o

Trying the turkey tacos tonight.  :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Aly Mac on November 09, 2007, 03:29:26 am
Well here in Aus, it's on Oprah right now!!!  I'm not the most imaginative w veges even for myself, so these sound like a great way even for adults to have veges.  Not sure you can buy it here.  Did look on a bookshop website, and it is $50!!!  ooohhhh..

Can't see the links on this thread but will head to oprah.com....
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Khyan & Sahria's mum on November 14, 2007, 23:49:55 pm
I'm marking my spot

When I finally get myself organised I'll be back to try some recipes with you all  :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: ~S~ on November 15, 2007, 02:09:34 am
Here is an article with several kinds of purees to use for different kinds of recipes.  I think from this you use them to adapt other recipes, and maybe start with less and work up so that your family gets used to the texture.  I bought the magazine, but haven't used it, and don't know where it is, but thought about it when reading this thread, and thought I'd share.
Oh, almost forgot to put the link, here it is ://www.parenting.com/parenting/article/0,19840,1595046,00.html
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Kate A on November 15, 2007, 06:00:35 am
we love this book!  I made the nuggets too and DH ate most of them.  We have made the fresh toast alot too, VERY EASY and so good.  we mixed it with pumpkin and banana

i made a version of the mac and cheese she did on the show but added a few twists.  Just did boxed mac and cheese, bought frozen squash at the store and added about 1/4 cup.  Then threw in a little flax seed.  She DOWNED two plates full.  I loved it too. 

eager to try the brownies.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Wilsmon on December 14, 2007, 17:19:43 pm
I bought the book, read it and still have not made one recipe  :-[.  IN fact, I have some rotten sweet potatoe in my bin right now.  :P

Taking two weeks Annual Leave starting Mon. so maybe I will find some time. I will try to check in on this thread from time to time.  :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: SiestaNoMore on December 21, 2007, 05:39:19 am
I bought the book Deceptively Delicious (Canada Costco has them now for $15!) and also The Sneaky Chef.  I really like them both - use them both about the same.  So far my son likes vegetables but I'm always about getting new healthy recipes!

It helps me use the recipes if I have the purees already made. I freeze them in an ice cube tray and then put each type of puree into a large ziploc bag (rather than individually freezing 1/4 cup as they suggest). Two "ice-cubes" equals 1/4 cup.

I tweak the recipes here and there (add spices, etc) and use the philosophy in my own recipes now too - eg a shepherd's pie now gets some sweet potato puree with the meat mixture and cauliflower puree is mixed in with the mashed potatoes. My lasagna now uses the tomato sauce with all of those other hidden veg purees in it too.

So far I have been scared to make most of the desserts. We don't do many desserts here anyways and I have quite a few recipes I already use for banana bread, pumpkin carrot muffins, etc. Will see how brave I get before attempting the chocolate avocado cupcakes....

In Deceptively Delicious we make Banana French Toast, Cauliflower Scrambled Eggs, Sweet Potato Pancakes, Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes, Spinach Pita Pizzas, Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese, Spaghetti Sauce (with squash), Tacos with Sweet Potato (yum!)

The Sneaky Chef - Breading mixture (whole wheat bread crumbs, ground almonds & wheat germ) to bread anything, Breakfast IceCream (frozen bananas, plain yogurt, avocado, honey all whirred up), Whole Wheat Pancakes, Quesadillas with sweet potato & carrot, Cheesy Animal Crackers (with chickpeas & wheat germ), Chicken Fingers, Magic Meatballs with Spinach, Tomato Pasta Sauce, and Fish Sticks

It is because of this thread I bought the books! I love to cook and I'm happy to have new healthy ideas for snacks and meals for DS.
Thanks for this thread!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Doj on December 21, 2007, 18:59:25 pm
I bought this book about a month ago and love it! I make sure that I still serve veggies at all meals, but now I make sure that I add purees as well, not just for DD but for the whole family. You can never have enough veggies.
So far I have made

Grilled cheese with squash puree- can't image making it any other way now, its o cheesy.. yum yum
Chicken mcnuggets with both broc and beet puree
French toast with squash or sweet potato - we have this every Saturday
Meat loaf with broc and squash-- so good
Mac N cheese

I think that is it.

Oh my friend made the Choc cake and she said that it was really good, just very dense
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on December 21, 2007, 21:21:48 pm
We had the pink pancakes again for breakfast today and Colin and I both just adore them  :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: tylersmommy on December 24, 2007, 01:59:35 am
I just bought the book the other day. I'm so excited to try it! I HATE veggies and I'm afraid I've passed it on to my kids. :( I'd like to get us all back in the habit of eating veggies again, even if I have to hide it!

Has anyone tried freezing any of the finished recipes yet? I know you can freeze the purees, but I'm curious if I can make a big batch of, say, mac and cheese and freeze individual portions for later.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on December 24, 2007, 04:10:19 am
made the pink pancakes this morning - both girls liked it.  alex said "well done mom!" - it took me a long time to put together (she says 10 min prep in the book and, allowing for the fact that i pureed the beetroot right then - not in advance - ,it took me 45 min from puree to serving).  i liked that it had ricotta, apples and beets - quite a boost to regular pancakes.

we also made the frozen yogurt pops (p.167) a week or so ago - used blueberries. the girls loved making it but neither liked it. i will try a different recipe though as i really want to try to do this for the rest of the summer instead of buying commercial icecream if possible and getting alex to have a non-grape/banana fruit.


melissa - i would assume you could freeze many of these things - the purees don't change that (so if you normaly freeze mac and cheese, then you could still do so).  i usualy freeze portions of dh's homemade cheese sauce and defrost them to add to fresh pasta.  when i added the cauliflower to it i froze the cauli puree separately so when i served later meals i defrosted 1 sauce + 1 cauli and heated both and added to fresh pasta etc.


i am going to be bold and try to make something with tofu next - maybe the nuggets on p100. only problem is my kids don't eat nuggets to begin with so it is a shot in the dark overall.  that is my problem with the majority of the recipes - if my kids don't eat lasagne, meatbals, nuggets to begin with it is not an option for me to use the recipe and add veg - they won't eat it with or without the puree.  so i looked through the book and came up with about 10 recipes that i am trying (in addition to the chickpea choc chip cookies which i loved). i fugure if i gain 5 recipes they like i will be happy with the purchase.

my planned recipes to try:
pink pancakes - done and liked
french toast - wil try with banana and with sweet potato
tofu nuggets
brownies with carrot and spinach
gingerbread spice cake with broccoli and carrots
oatmeal raisin cookies with banana and zucchini and less sugar than calls for


i might try one of the other main course recipes every week or so and just pray that thye wil try it one day as Alex especially does not like to TRY anythign new 98%  of the time. anyone have a really picky eater who has TRIED some of the savoury dishes????
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: SiestaNoMore on December 24, 2007, 04:22:57 am
I have the Deceptively Delicious and the Sneaky Chef book so the recipes are from both....
I have frozen the meatballs, tomato sauce, lasagna, uncooked but breaded fish sticks and chicken fingers and also pancakes (warm those up in the toaster).
Works great for us to have it on hand. Especially times like when we are having steak - he has his meatballs so it is not all this extra cooking for his meal.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jennyb133 on January 03, 2008, 14:11:34 pm
Cool! I can't believe there is a thread for this! I just posted this on the what your toddler ate today thread:

New Year's Eve DH made homemade pizza & offered to James with a side of veggies. James refused to touch the veggies. so then DH put the veggies on the pizza & folded the slice in half & James gobbled it up!  So the next night, DH decided to hide some veggies in Chicken Quesadillas. He ground them up quite a bit in the food processor & it worked! 

So I got the Magic Bullet for Christmas b/c I'm going to be introducing solids to the baby within the next month & wanted to be able to puree small amounts of food without breaking out the big Cuisinart.  And my mom saw the Oprah episode with Jessica Seinfeld & her book "Deceptively Delicious" & went out and bought me the book for Christmas. So I didn't see that Oprah episode, but since we know we can hide some veggies & James will eat them, I can't wait to look at her recipes.

Hmm- DS is allergic to eggs & looks like a lot of the recipes call for eggs. Wonder if I can tweak them a bit. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 03, 2008, 21:45:01 pm
My DS can't have dairy, so I'm having to modify a lot too.  Of course, the only thing I've actually made is the chocolate chip chick pea cookies, which came out great.  I have sweet potatoes and beets roasting as I type.   :D  I'm planning to make the turkey meat ball soup tonight for dinner. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mum to Ella Rose on January 03, 2008, 23:04:14 pm
Made the coffee cake today, and even though I mucked up the recipe  :-[ (darn pg brain) it still turned out well enough to impress the unimpressible MIL.  ;D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 03, 2008, 23:12:48 pm
Roasting sweet potatoes made my house smell yummy.   8)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: meltown on January 03, 2008, 23:53:39 pm
My DS can't have dairy, so I'm having to modify a lot too.  Of course, the only thing I've actually made is the chocolate chip chick pea cookies, which came out great.  I have sweet potatoes and beets roasting as I type.   :D  I'm planning to make the turkey meat ball soup tonight for dinner. 

made this soup for Dh and I.  DH LOVED it.  I thought it was good but not my favrite.  DH doesn't like soups really so it was nice to have something like that that he liked.  this month we are making a couple new recepies.  we are trying to eat differently.  we have gotten in a bad unhealthy eating habit.  it's easy to get int hat habit at the beginning of pregnancy.  now trying to pull out of it!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Brandessa on January 04, 2008, 00:33:35 am
I got the book for Christmas and was quite excited after reading the explantion about the book.  She always serves veggies on the plate besides blending them in with the purees.  So the kids are still being taught to eat them as well.  But if they do deny them then they will still be getting their daily intake.  The recipes sound fantastic,,, butternut squash in macaroni and cheese, cauliflower puree in scrambled eggs.  I made the chilli last night and it was really good.  It had carrot and red pepper puree along with flaxseed meal and cornmeal, very filling.   And yes my husband liked it as well.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 04, 2008, 06:54:29 am
I was really dissappointed w/ the texture of the meatballs.  They were really mooshy and crumbley.  However, I realize that part of the problem is that we had to leave out the paramesan cheese as DS can't have dairy.   :-\

Melissa--did you make them with the parmesan?  How was the texture?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: meltown on January 04, 2008, 18:35:23 pm
they were still pretty mushy.  I was goingt o try to make them different the next time...not sure how I would change them but I felt the same.  DH however loved them like that so can't change it too much ;)  I thought the biggest reason for the mushiness was the puree in it.  I thoguht maybe lessen that just a bit or make breadcrumbs with the bread by toasting it before hand and see if that maybe helped with it.  I'm making it again later this month.  I'll let you knwo how it goes!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 05, 2008, 18:25:46 pm
www.index.php?topic=112423.0;topicseen

making chocolate chip chick pea cookies   :-[ :'(
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Brandessa on January 10, 2008, 19:59:27 pm
Has anyone else tried the banana bread w/cauilflower?  Mine didn't rise even a little bit, very dense.  Made the spaghetti and turkey meatballs.  dh like it but I thought it needed less breacrumbs and more meat in the balls.  Made the quesadillas last night and I agree and I would set them up differently.  dh and ds did not like this one at all. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on January 11, 2008, 05:06:45 am
I find I have the problem that if food is 'mixed' mine won't eat it so while all the recipes look good, none are any use to me (apart from the cake ones & I have my own recipes with even higher veg/fruit content I use)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: becky1969 on January 11, 2008, 05:38:53 am
Wow! So cool I found this thread! I just pureed some squash tonight to try in a few recipes, and am going to the store tomorrow to get ingredients for the Banana Bread and the Mozarella sticks. DS loves banana bread, so I'm happy to put some cauliflower in there to boost his veggie intake. And he's a huge cheese eater. I think he'll love the moz sticks, esp. if served with ketchup  ::)

Got a super picky eater here - texture is huge. So, I'm hoping this book will help.

Those of you that have both Seinfeld's book and the Sneaky Chef, is it worth having both books? I'd be pleased ot have more recipes to work with!

Oh, and has anyone made the homemade ketchup yet from Seinfeld's book? Did your kids like it?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: tylersmommy on January 11, 2008, 16:48:16 pm
I thought I'd start slow, so I bought a can of pumpkin and froze the puree. I pulled off French toast and DD ate it. I had some too and it was good! I also made the oatmeal with a lot less brown sugar and super picky DS ate it! I pureed some cauliflower yesterday and froze it. I'm hoping to make mozzarella sticks and peanut butter banana muffins this weekend.

And I also managed to sneak a cube of pumpkin into boxed mac and cheese...DS ate the whole thing! ;D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: aisling on January 11, 2008, 16:59:30 pm
I found these reviews on amazon.com.  I can't believe the time this one woman put into it.

       

2.0 out of 5 stars We dont care who did it first, the Sneaky Chef is the one that works., October 8, 2007
By    Sleep Doctor "Dr. Mom, MD" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
This weekend 7 friends and I got together to compare recipes from The Sneaky Chef(TSC) and Deceptively Delicious(DD). Our primary loyalty is to our kids and getting good food into them. We don't really care who did it first, just what works. We've been successfully sneaking for months and need more recipes now, so we were eagerly awaiting the release of Deceptively Delicious.

We chose six duplicate recipes from each book (12 total) and did double-blind (where neither the server nor the child knows which is which-only the cook keeps track) side by side taste tests. The whole process took all day Sunday. We chose to make mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, peanut butter & jelly muffins, brownies, chicken nuggets and meat loaf.

Summary: For one reason or another, kids clearly preferred the recipes from TSC. The main reasons seemed to be that DD's were too sophisticated in flavors and the textures were off. The cooks felt that TSC was more geared towards kids' tastes, especially where picky eaters are concerned, and addressed the needs of the cook better. Roughly half of the recipes in Deceptively Delicious are the same as in The Sneaky Chef, which was disappointing since we're starved ; ) for new recipes at this point.

The following are the detailed results:

Mashed Potatoes: Kids' preference: TSC. Main reason: "Creamier." DD was called "watery" by most kids. Cooks found both recipes easy to make and would do so regularly.

Mac n cheese: Kids' unanimous preference: TSC. Main reason: "the same as they're used to." Kids rejected DD version as "adult food" and would not eat it. Cooks' also preferred TSC. Reasons: DD has too many ingredients, is too expensive and time consuming to make regularly.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Muffins: Kids' preference: none. A clear tie. This was probably due to the dominating peanut butter flavor in both recipes. Kids did prefer the appearance of DD, though, as the jelly was visible on top of the muffin and TSC is hidden inside.

Brownies: Kids' unanimous preference: TSC. Main reason: DD had a slightly bitter to some kids but all found the texture "too pasty." Cooks found both recipes easy to make and would do so regularly.

Chicken Nuggets: Kids preferred TSC overall. Main objection to DD: "too spicy and mushy." Cooks' also preferred TSC. Reasons: DD has too many ingredients and the flax meal contributed to the too-soft texture.

Meat Loaf: Kids unanimously preferred TSC. Unanimous objection to DD: "too spicy and mushy." Cooks' unanimously preferred TSC for texture and flavor.

Note: The layout in DD is more clear and concise, and having the photos next to the recipes is also very helpful. TSC would take a lesson here.

Finally, we hope that many more authors get on this sneaky bandwagon-we need more recipes!


590 of 667 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Which To Choose: This One Or The Sneaky Chef?, October 6, 2007
By    P. Gould (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Choose Deceptively Delicious! In a lot of ways the two books are similar. But Deceptively Delicious has significantly healthier, easier-to-make recipes. Of course, this book does seem to be imitating the Sneaky Chef idea for pureeing fruits and veggies to add to kids' favorite foods. (Though, realistically, this book must have been in production long before the Sneaky Chef was released to the public.) And the Sneaky Chef does contains some good ideas and recipes. However, the Deceptively Delicious recipes are lower in saturated fats, higher in whole grains and use less sugar and artificial items (like colored sprinkles and packaged mac-n-cheese.) Plus, this book's purees are an improvement over those in the Sneaky Chef. Many parents are very concerned with adding more vegetables, and Deceptively Delicious includes 11 very simple whole veggie purees. In contrast, although 4 of the 5 Sneaky Chef veggie purees do contain whole vegetables, they are more complicated since each one contains multiple ingredients. For fruit, the Sneaky Chef recipes rely on homemade juices that are made by boiling fruit, straining it and adding sugar. The fruit purees in Deceptively Delicious are made from whole fruits. They are not only easier to make, they also include more of the fiber and nutrients since nothing is strained out. My conclusion? Even if you, like me, would rather help your kids learn to love vegetables and fruit without trickery, this book may still be of use to you. It's full of healthy, kid-friendly recipe ideas-- just tell your kids what is in the food they are eating. On the other hand, if you have a child who is going through a picky stage and you feel that you need to sneak in some veggies and fruits, I'd go with Deceptively Delicious.
P. Gould, author of Feeding the Kids: The Flexible, No-Battles, Healthy Eating System for the Whole Family

       
354 of 383 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Disappointing, October 15, 2007
By    J. A Carty "jkcarty" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I am pretty nervous about posting a negative review on a product at any juncture, but especially a book featured on Oprah. I have to, however, be honest about my experience with this cookbook.

When I saw this on Oprah, I was intrigued. After watching the show, I decided to purchase the book because my husband and I have trouble keeping fresh produce just for the two of us. He is also a pretty picky eater and is very limited on the number of veggies he eats so I thought this would be a good experiment for us to get more nutrition in our diet on a consistent basis.

I purchased the book and the Magic Bullet processor (cause I'd been wanting one) and I selected 5 recipes I would make, trying to stick to as few purees as possible for a first week trial. I selected: Banana Bread, CHicken Salad, Mac and Cheese, Chocolate Chip cookies and the Chili.

First, I made a cauliflower puree. That went smoothly. The next day I took it out of the fridge and made the Banana Bread. The recipe was pretty simple, although a lot of ingredients were involved, and I successfully made the bread. The texture was fine but it smelled and tasted STRONGLY of cauliflower. Disappointment number 1. I will say, however, that the recipe made with only banana puree is solid.

Next for dinner I made the Macaroni and Cheese. I didn't use the puree because I already knew the cauliflower puree was going to be too strong for us. The Mac and Cheese didn't go over well with my husband either and I wonder how well it would do for most children considering how strong it tasted even without the puree. The use of cheddar cheese is overpowring. If I made it again, which I doubt because it was very, very involved, I would give a much milder cheese. Disappointment #2.

After having two failures, I looked over the other recipes and for someone who has been cooking for quite a while as well as making her own recipes I will say the book has solid recipes, but for me I'd have to make them without the vegetable purees.

In summary, there is some good nutritional information in this book and even though I will not be keeping this book, I give it a 3 for the recipes that involve the fruit purees because I think they are the most likely to succeed in your household. My other disappointment, besides the failure of flavor, is that the recipes do not have nutritional information with them. A nutritionist writes an introduction to the book but didn't list the calorie and fat content? Curious.

I can't really suggest this cookbook given that there just aren't enough recipes and my apprehension at how much time you would have to experiment getting the puree flavors correct. I would more suggest a standard low-fat cookbook and chop the vegetables up really small that actually go with the type of food your cooking :)

Please don't mark this review as bad just because you are a fan of Oprah! I am also, I'm just disappointed in this particular book.

Thanks.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 11, 2008, 20:45:26 pm
have requested sneaky chef from the library and own DD--interested in comparing    :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: SiestaNoMore on January 12, 2008, 00:25:43 am
I have both books and use them both - I really like the quesadillas from Sneaky Chef and it seems other posters don't like the quesadillas from Deceptively Delicious.

One of the things I really liked about the Sneaky Chef was the ideas about a Breading Mix that I store in my freezer. It is an equal mixture of whole wheat bread crumbs (ww bread whirred up in the blender), wheat germ and ground almonds and a bit of seasoning. I use it to bread chicken fingers and make fish sticks. My boy really likes it. I don't know why I couldn't think up this myself as had been using white bread crumbs previously?  ???

Sneaky Chef also has a flour substitute that uses equal parts white flour, ww flour and wheat germ. I also keep this in the freezer and use it in my recipes for pancakes, etc.

Sneaky Chef also has good ideas about making your own jello (which my boy loves) out of fruit juice and unflavored gelatin. My boy also loves the Breakfast Icecream he has as a snack - it isn't ice cream at all but rather frozen banana whirred up with plain yogurt, honey and some avocado for good measure.

But I do have to agree that the purees are all more "difficult" than DD in that they are puree-combos (sweet potato AND carrot for example). Another example is the pancakes in Sneaky Chef are made from 'scratch' rather than using a pancake mix like DD.

Not sure if that helps? I looked at them both before buying - I love cookbooks so I'm happy to add 2 more to my collection!

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: meltown on January 12, 2008, 02:54:30 am
making the tortilla cigars from DD tonight.  I will let you all know how they are!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: SiestaNoMore on January 12, 2008, 03:52:08 am
One other thing I wanted to add about the two books - DD & Sneaky Chef. There is many of the same recipes in them both (although there is slight variations in ingredients in them).
Both books have recipes for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Quesadillas, Lasagna, Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Pizzas, etc.

So if you are looking for brand new ideas on what to feed your LO's, you may be disappointed by the similarities between the book. In fact some of the recipes are just about identical.

But...I'm still glad I have them both. Maybe see (as someone else mentioned) if you can borrow it from the library or take a really good look at it in the bookstore so that you know if it is worth it to you to get them both?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: meltown on January 12, 2008, 05:07:07 am
well general consensus so far has been too cheesy.  I think the next time I will make them I am going to put more chicken and less cream cheese.  probably 1 1/2 cups of chicken and 2 oz of cream cheese. if you like cream cheese, it kind of just tastes like a quesadilla with cream cheese in it.  great taste just needs more chicken and less cheese. 

I also decided that everyone that has this book needs a vit-a-mix.  they do wonders for shreding chicken and pureeing and you can make fruit smoothies to go with all your meals!  just a little plug for them if anyone is int he market for a blender that does everything.  this is the one!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 12, 2008, 18:16:31 pm
On the matter of blender recommendations . . . if you're sleep deprived or pregnant I'd think twice before using a hand held stick blender.    :P ;)  I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be allowed to operate any kitchen gadgets right now.  I decided to get back on the horse yesterday and make the chick pea cookies.   Pureed the chick peas in the food processor (enclosed, nice and safe), was using my kitchenaid mixer to mix the batter and caught myself nearly sticking my intact index finger in to wipe a drip from the side of the bowl while the paddle was going.   ???  What's wrong with me, LOL?  It prob wouldn't have been tragic, but would have hurt.    I'm blaming my fuzzy head on pregnancy. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on January 12, 2008, 21:50:43 pm
Bethany please be careful!!

on a side note - we love those chickpea choc chip cookies here!! definitely have to puree the chickpeas first!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on January 14, 2008, 10:10:19 am
Bethany, you need to give someone else those jobs!

Deb going to PM you about another post of yours when I get a moment (just been down to the very hot Snowy Mountains & exhuased so off to bed)
but do you have a electonic version of the chickpea choc chip cookies I'd love to make it, the boys love choc chip cookies & I'd love them to have healthier ones - win win  ;)

I have found that pretty much most cake recipes you can replace about 30- 50% of the fat content with the same volume of vege pure (bland ones like peeled zucchini work well) & not have a failure.

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Aly Mac on January 14, 2008, 10:26:41 am
hey guys  :)

just had a thought - the reason why the consistency may be different is if you are not in the US, you may need to convert the quantities.  I've found that with american recipes and works well. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: becky1969 on January 14, 2008, 21:17:34 pm
We tried the banana bread with cauliflower puree, and it was a HUGE success! He's already eaten half the loaf, and it hasn't even been 24 hours!  :o  It's super moist, although I can taste the cauliflower a bit.  :P Owen doesn't seem to mind! YAY!

I also tried the mozarella sticks yesterday. Those were not a hit, but I think mostly because I messed them up.  My pan was too hot, and the sticks weren't cold enough. I ended up with big piles of melted cheese with browned breadcrumbs randomly spread thruout.  ;D Um, not yum? At any rate, I know what I did wrong, so hopefully I can fix it next time. Owen loves cheese sticks - though he's never had the breaded hot kind. I'm hoping he'll learn to enjoy, esp. as dipping in ketchup is his favorite activity EVER!

Next up: grilled cheese, I think. The choc. chip cookies sound good too!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 14, 2008, 23:17:59 pm
Tried the brownies, but I didn't get the purees smooth enough b/c I was workinig w/ small batches and my food processor is meant for larger batches, so they have texture issues.  Aside from that--they have a cakey texture and, um, are not sweet enough to be satisfying as a brownie.   :-\
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: HeatherC on January 19, 2008, 02:58:16 am
I made the applesauce muffins today.  Kind of bland, but not totally disappointing.  However, I didn't use a veg puree, just extra applesauce.  The topping is good.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jenifer on January 29, 2008, 16:34:53 pm
Just saw this thread .. Cool!

I don't have time right now to read all 8 pages (I'm at work  ;) )  - so if this recipe has already been reviewed, I apologise. 

Last night I tried the Deceptively Delicious chocolate pudding recipe (after DD has been drooling over the page for the past month).  I am so disappointed to say it wasn't that good.  It tasted like uncooked brownie batter, not pudding.  I was also a little surprised to see it had a cup of powdered sugar :o  and no milk.  Ya, sure she ate avocado but that's still A LOT of sugar IMO.

I guess I'll go back to the book and try another one ..

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 29, 2008, 17:22:08 pm
Oh, that's a bummer . . . the picture looked so yummy!

I made the banana bread and it came out well.  I could taste the cauliflower a little, but both DS and DH (the real critic, LOL) liked it. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: becky1969 on January 30, 2008, 21:03:24 pm
We did the applesauce muffins today, and Owen loved them! They are pretty good - though I found them a little TOO tasty (lots of cinnamon) rather than tasteless, like PP said.  Owen ate a whole one all by himself!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Brandessa on February 01, 2008, 01:10:51 am
I made the chocolate chip muffins(with dates) last night and those are yummy.  Biggest hit out of the baked goods so far.  The chick pea cookies are great but it would be nice to have a mixer.  My hand mixer got all gooped up and then I sprayed chocolate chips all over the kitchen LOL it was pretty funny.  The brownies are too cakey and leave a funny after taste.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on February 06, 2008, 02:57:09 am
i finally have time to look at this topic! got the cookbook for xmas and tried a recipe tonight...

i made the angel food cupcakes. they fell and were not very pretty looking - kinda shiveled up. also, the cream cheese frosting came out orange and very cream-cheesy (taskted like cream cheese, not frosting).

however, i used baby food carrots and squash for the purees. has anyone else tried that? i'm not sure if that is the reason they didn't work out too well. maybe the baby food is too thin.

also, when i folded the ingredients into the egg whites, it did not blend very well so the cupcakes have chunky stuff in them!

i think i'm a pretty decent baker so i'll try this recipe one more time. they are not "divine" as described in the book. at any rate, my LO will still eat the cupcakes but i'm definitely not taking them to the valentine party we are attending tomorrow afternoon!  :-[

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: MARAMA on May 12, 2008, 08:11:50 am
I have this book and have made soooo many things out of it. (I live i New Zealand and saw the Oprah segment and originally thought it would be great for my DH as he is not a big veggie fan, we are now all converted!) My DS who has just turned one and will only eat finger food, loves the chicken nuggets with spinach.  Tonight we all had the chicken rice balls which were delicious and DS gobbled his up with a salad very quickly.  The chocolate chip cookies with chickpeas are so yummy! I have told all my friends to buy it. :D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jennyb133 on May 12, 2008, 22:36:29 pm
My baby is now on baby food, so I was thinking of using that for the purees as well. 
Nona- have you had success since your PP?  Haven't tried any of the recipes yet. But definately need to start now as DS1 is getting more & more picky with veggies & will only eat corn.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Serenity on June 13, 2008, 01:08:26 am
DS has always been good about veggies, but is now on a veggie/fruit strike.  I get the lil entrees and puree the veggie and mix it with the meal.  He eats it just fine.  I also puree fruit and put it on pancakes and waffles as a syrup.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on June 14, 2008, 18:14:11 pm
no, i have not tried any again sad to say. however, i am going to a little playdate thing in a couple of weeks and everyone is making something from the cookbook. i'm def making the blueberry oatmeal bars and maybe the chicken tortilla cigars. a friend told me she used the baby food for the eggs and french toast and it worked out.

my LO will eat veggies, etc so i am not that desperate. however, it would be nice to add them into things whenever you can.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: KathyM on June 22, 2008, 03:09:26 am
So far I've made the chickpea chocolate chip cookies, squash pancakes (I didn't have any sweet potato) and the chocolate cupcakes made with avocado. All 3 of those things have been a big hit. The chocolate cupcakes were quite good...I couldn't taste the avocado at all, but the frosting made out of cauliflower was not so good. The consistency was really weird.

I want to try the blueberry bars and then some more main course items as well. One thing I like about the book is that it gets me thinking about where else I can hide some veggies. My ds doesn't eat any veggies at all, so this is great to get some veggies in him besides the fruit/veggie juices that he'll drink.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on June 22, 2008, 03:53:07 am
I don't have the book but wondering if anyone would be willing to share the recipe for the chickpea chocolate chip cookies.

I did look at it in the shop, but as I already do heaps of things with veg puree in them eg rissoles/hamburger patties, bolognaise,  potato & veg pancakes, 3 different cake recipes & the only thing that I could see my ds's eating was the cookies (won't eat Mac & cheese etc) ... dh & I eat about 5-7 serves of veg/day so we don't need any more, just the boys & so didn't see the point for one recipe.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on June 22, 2008, 06:05:35 am
Thanks Stacy... now to tell the boys the chickpeas are something special when I get them to help make them.
The think all chocolate cakes have beetroot & carrot in them  & powdered milk is made up in green water (thinned out zuchinni puree) which I use for a lot of cooking requiring milk LOL
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: SiestaNoMore on June 22, 2008, 14:04:25 pm
Haven't made the chickpea cookies but some on the board here enjoyed them better by pureeing the chickpeas and mixing it into the batter. just to give you another option...
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nwmm on July 02, 2008, 20:35:53 pm
I just found this thread.  I made the pizzas on pita bread with spinach.  My 2.5 year old ate it all.  I don't think she has ever had spinach before and LOVES pizza.  She has turned down individual pizza things from Trader Joes (US).  My negative was that the pitas stuck to the tray.

Anyone try the deviled eggs with califlower?  I want to try that. 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: holdenlouis on July 02, 2008, 23:12:05 pm
I do not have the time nor the patience to puree everything so I buy the baby food seconds jars. The whole jar is like 1/2 cup. But I have had the book and tried the pancakes with sweet potatoes and 1/4 tsp cinnamon - Delicious. I also did the spaghetti with broccoli and carrots those I actually did puree and Holden ate 2 bowl fulls. I just made corn muffins with 1/2 jar of butternut squash and they were a hit too. I am going to try more stuff too. We don't eat enough veggies ourselves. We try but it's hard sometimes. Holden doesn't eat them at all anymore but I still put them on his plate.
Lisa
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nwmm on July 03, 2008, 00:30:19 am
I made the deviled eggs with califlower.  My 2.5 ate them all up.  I tasted the califlower, but I don't mind it.  Need to try more recipes!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on July 03, 2008, 04:00:30 am
lisa is the corn muffin recipe DD?  will have to look
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nwmm on July 07, 2008, 22:36:27 pm
For those in the states, Oprah is having Jessica S. on her show on Tues.  I assume it is a rerun.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: taygensmom on July 08, 2008, 03:27:48 am
marking my spot...
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: rob1lu2 on July 30, 2008, 04:09:40 am
I just made the peanut butter muffins today and holy cow are they good! Also made the carrot cake muffins and those are delicious too. I had made them previously and my girls love them.

I usually only use about half the sugar she recommends. Especially since the PB muffins have jelly and the carrot cake muffins have cream cheese frosting. Who needs all that sugar?!

Lu
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Aly Mac on July 30, 2008, 10:35:14 am
I made the scrambled eggs with the cauli and Lilly loved it!! the tofu nuggets, not so much, even though she at the tofu raw... and the choc chip muffins with chickpeas were a bit hit.

Will have to try the muffins Lu!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jennyb133 on August 09, 2008, 01:54:32 am
My problem is James is allergic to eggs & almost all the recipes look like baked goods with eggs. Anyone know what would be a great egg substitue??
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: rob1lu2 on August 09, 2008, 02:35:15 am
Here's a link for egg substitutes:

www.pioneerthinking.com/eggsub.html

HTH,
Lu
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: fifibobandmore on August 18, 2008, 14:57:31 pm
Just found this thread and I made a pizza last night which tasted like cheese and tomatoe but in the tomatoes purree I put spinach and chickpeas and in the pizza base I finely grated come carrot, parsnip and swede and my 3 didn't notice it. I give my 3 veggies as veggies but if I am doing a dish that I can hide veggies in then I do
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: TERESA-E&C's Mommy on August 18, 2008, 18:28:19 pm
marking my spot
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: coopers_mommy on November 02, 2008, 18:57:40 pm
marking my spot....as my 18 month old has recently become a picky eater!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: fifibobandmore on November 17, 2008, 13:31:35 pm
I have just made a thick chicken and Veg pasta soup for my LO's lunch today. Wasn't sure they would eat it but my DD has just asked fo rmore so I thought I would share the recipe, sorry it's not a veggie recipe but I can be adapted for everyone. You will need a blender for this recipe but the veg is very well covered as it is all pureed up. Should probably share this recipe on the baby thread but I made for my toddler and pre-schooler.

1 whole chicken breast de-skinned and grilled and chopped into chunks
1 large carrot, 10 small cauliflower florets, 10 small brocollia florets boiled until tender
2 sage leaves finely chopped
1/4 red onion finely chopped and caramelised in butter
Your child sized portain of pasta.

Blend chicken, vegetables, sage and onion and add vegetable water until in a smooth puree. Remove from blender and add back into empty Vegetable pan. Blend pasta into small pieces and add to chicken and vegetable puree and mix in. Warm back through if you wish and serve with a slice of bread and butter. You can make it more liquidy if you wish by mixing in more Vegetable water until in the consistency you want it in.

If youtry this recipe hope your LO's enjoy it as much as my LO's are.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jennyb133 on February 05, 2009, 17:16:16 pm
I made the meatloaf with carrot puree last night. I think it turned out good.  But James my picky eater, didn't even want to try 1 bite. 
Alex who was always a great eater, now sees James refusing food or pushing it away, so he has started to become picky as well.  He ate the meatloaf all down, so that was good.
What to do with my James? I offered ketchup for him to dip it in. Then I offered to make it on a sandwich. He said yes to the sandwich, but then he proceeded to take the meat out of the sandwich and just eat the bread!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nwmm on February 07, 2009, 09:04:10 am
I am wondering aloud because my lo has become picky with meat.  I wonder if a veggie puree would make a good dipping sauce?  My lo doesn't like to dip her meatloaf in Ketchup.  I don't like pushing Ketchup because it is sugar, but when I want her to eat meat I am flexible.  ::)

She likes sweet potatoes.  I wonder about a veggie puree of sweet potatoe.  Even a fruit puree of a fruit they like.  Sounds gross to me, but might work.

My lo will sometimes ask for A1 Steak Sauce.  Not sure how you feel about that as a dipping sauce.  Have to be careful of all the vinegar because they can start coughing.  I kind of know what to expect and so does she so  I don't worry as much.  Always have plenty of milk or water there.

Some people use honey as a dipping sauce.  Also sugar so, again, don't know how you feel about it but might start the ball rolling.  I love it on chicken (and oatmeal).  So much so I don't buy it any more.   ::)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: TERESA-E&C's Mommy on February 07, 2009, 14:14:27 pm
My dd loves ranch dressing for dipping.   I have never heard of vinegar making you cough.  good to know.  I imagine if you made the puree just right it could be a good dipping sauce.  It seems kind of yucky for my taste too, but what ever works with the LO's right?
Teresa
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Colin Macs Mom on February 07, 2009, 21:59:35 pm
nwmm, Colin was the same until one day when I offered him some honey mustard as dip. It was off to the races then!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jennyb133 on February 11, 2009, 18:08:55 pm
Yeah, not a fan of ketchup either but for awhile it was the only way he would eat meat!  Will have to try honey next.  I guess I could try a veggie purree dip, but not sure he would go for it. 

DH tried homemade chicken fingers last night, but b/c it didn't LOOK like the frozen chicken fingers that he likes, he again refused to try!!!

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on February 11, 2009, 21:09:11 pm
Just want to say i got the "Sneaky CHef" book out of the library and it is quite good.  last night i added sweet potato puree to the ingredients for french toast (whicsked all together) and even though the orange bits were still visible alex LOVED it and inhaled 2 big slices with a little bit of maple syrup spread on top. (was still a bit lumpy so will really blend next time). i tasted it and it was yummy.

some other recipes i am planning (if this heat ever stops and i feel like baking more)
brownies that have spinach and blueberry puree in them (just a bit of cocoa makes them chocolatey, seem really healthy) - done the purees just not cooking much lately
"cookies" that have oats, almonds, chickpea puree, wheat germ...
another one that has ricotta and wholegrain cereal flakes
crackers made from cheddar, parmesan, chickpea puree, wheatgerm, flours and spices...
a sweet variation on roasted chickpeas (alex actually likes the salted roasted ones whereas liv only likes the canned ones plain)  you add just 2 tsp of sugar, 1 tp of cinnamon and 1/4 tsp of salt to a whole can of chickpeas (tons of protein) and bake/roast them in the oven until crunchy. so it is a "treat" that is protein packed and only a tiny bit of sugar

for me i need portable protein for alex for school (it is nut free and she lives on PB sandwiches for lunch at home so 5 days of food is hard for me) and veggies for both girls.

anyone made any recipes from the sneaky chef??
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on February 12, 2009, 06:31:24 am
Hmmm . . . the roasted chick pease sound yummy.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sanaya on February 12, 2009, 06:37:33 am
going to read thru this thread, seems like a god send!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on February 13, 2009, 00:39:00 am
I haven't read the recipe book, but I'm already a sneaky cook (but my boys know it) It has been lots cooler this week & so I've been using the oven (something I don't do lots over Summer - which it is here) & 3 lots of cake/bread - chocolate cake with carrot & beetroot, banana cake with zucchini (corgette) & choc chips (incentive for DS1, who loves the cake) & Zucchini bread (I have heaps of zucchini growing in my Veg garden... but the recipe has heaps of sugar so need to play around with it)... each recipe makes 2 bar tins & has between 1.5 & 2 cups of Veg/fruit in them.... by using powdered milk for the milk content I've been able to up the Veg content & the whole family love the cakes & I don't feel too bad about giving DS1 a peice of cake/sweet bread for his recess at school.

I also use Veg puree in my pikelets I use powdered milk so the liquid comes from the dilute puree (mostly zucchini puree). Pikelets have egg & milk in them so good for the protein & easy to take to school.

Deb When I was at school my Mum used to freeze a tub of normal yogurt & by lunch it would thaw out & I'd eat that.

Protien isn't an issue for my boys as they eat more meat than I do... DS1 loves meat (of any type) & is ok with fish too. Infact as of the last 6 months I can feed him a meal with Meat & 4 veg & it will all get eaten if the y veg are caramaised onion, corn, lettuce & jacket potato... needless to say we have them A LOT... this is a child who at 10 things at age 2.5... we have come a LONG way. So for me putting the veg in things is just about saying you can have a treat that has good stuff in it too & you can never have too much Veg KWIM... also veg makes the cakes more moist.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on February 13, 2009, 02:09:05 am
kate can you share some of those cakey recipes - that is what i am working on sending with alex - still really hot up here so hate the thought of baking (but raining today so i may just get something in the oven by this evening - perhaps the brownies)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nwmm on February 13, 2009, 04:00:28 am
I am interested as well.  I assume enough of us need to be peanut free for lunch, *at least* 5 days a week - - if not more!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sanaya on February 13, 2009, 12:02:12 pm
i read thru 4 pages...lovely thread.

i used to make this one alot for ds1 and one day he just went off it. i should do it again, was yum.

take a bunch of raisins, dried figs, apricots and stew them. puree nice and fine. stock some in your fridge, some in the freezer. i used to add a tablespoon or two to a banana/yogurt smoothie.
 like a dessert portion. yum.

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on February 13, 2009, 12:34:20 pm
well the brownies came out great - i made them after the kids went to bed and they are fudgy, chocolatey and not a trace of the blueberries or spinach. it uses a 1/2 cup of the puree of both + wheatgerm + oats as the hidden nutrients.  to make them brownies it took 3/4c chocolate chips, 1/2 c sugar and 2TBS unsweetened cocoa (if i remember correctly). i think that is a good trade off for spinach and blueberries in a kid who eats no veggies and only raisins and bananas as an occasional fruit source.  dh had 2 and i had to tell him to leave them alone as he gets his nutrients the old fashion way and has access to chocolate on his own... might have to make him a batch of my famous (at least in some circles in Sydney LOL) brownies with kaluah (or rum) to keep him away from this stash.

next on the agenda will be some of one type of cookie and one type of muffin.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jennyb133 on February 13, 2009, 17:56:12 pm
Deb- the chick peas idea sounds great!  James needs peanut-free too, and he's not been eating the meat & cheese sandwiches I send for lunch.  He only wants plain cheese sandwich or apple butter sandwiches.  What degree & how long do you cook them?  He's not a big fan of beans at all, so I'm at a loss with the protein, but if they are sweet & crunchy he might like.

DH just brought home some zucchini bread the other night that a women at work made. It was good and got me thinking about making some as well. Only prob was it had walnuts in it and James has the nut allergy so we couldn't let him try it.  James also has an egg allergy so I'm finding it challenging to try and do the baking recipes without eggs. A lot of trial and error.

I pack yogurt a lot for James to bring to school, I just stick an ice pack in his lunch bag.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on February 13, 2009, 21:19:30 pm
Deb I will post the recipes but a word of warning I'm a bit of a "granny" cook, I do things by feel a lot of the time & so do tend to play around a bit & also work on the cakes being healthy & taste good rather than show quality KWIM

My zucchini bread has walnuts too, but I'm going to try it without so can send to school with ds1 & also try it with some white choc chips & reduce sugar. I've also got a friend with a recipe for pear & raspberry bread, so going to get that from her.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: JudyLee on February 16, 2009, 10:28:05 am
Hi guys - great thread!

Jenny - I've just made an Eggless Date loaf. Very moist, and works well as a bar loaf or muffins.

1Tblsp butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup chopped dates, 1tsp bicarb soda, pinch salt - pour over 1 cup boiling water and stir, then let cool.
Mix in 1 1/4 cup Self Raising Flour.
Bake 180 deg C until skewer comes out clean - loaf (35min) muffins (20min)


Have Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious Recipe Book too, similar to Sneaky Chef.
Lots of wonderful ideas -
Scrambled eggs with cauliflower
Banana Bread with cauliflower
Sweet potato pancakes
Chicken nuggets with broccoli/spinach/beetroot
Rice balls with sweet potato and spinach or broccoli
Mozzarella sticks with cauliflower
Ranch dressing with beans
Greek Dip with Chickpeas and artichokes
Chocolate pudding with avocado
Choc chip cupcakes with pumpkin and squash
And lots of others.... yummy!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: SiestaNoMore on February 18, 2009, 23:16:59 pm
I make the animal crackers from Sneaky Chef with chickpea puree in them.
They are delicious and my DS happily ate them when we pulled Goldfish crackers out of his diet trying to stay away from food additives.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on February 19, 2009, 00:50:32 am
sorry for the usual deb delay LOL

the sweet roasted chickpeas  "Cinnamon sugar rattle snacks":
2tsp sugar
1tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp salt
1 x 15oz can chickpeas rinsed and drained

preheat oven to 350F (180C) Combine sugar, cin. and salt in a bowl and add chickpeas. toss until well coated. spread on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 55-60 min shaking sheet andmixing occasionally until chickpeas are crisp and "rattle" on the pan

posting the brainy brownies too as they have been a huge hit and are stil fresh in a sealed container in the fridge. i froze a few too and will report back on how they defrost and taste when we need them in a week.

SNEAKY CHEF BRAINY BROWNIES:
Makes about 30 kid-sized brownies

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips           
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Purple Puree (see Make-Ahead Recipe below)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Flour Blend (equal parts whole wheat, wheat germ, and white flour)
1/4 cup rolled oats, ground in a food processor
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Butter or non-stick cooking spray
Optional extra boost: 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. (this is 180C)

Butter or spray only the bottom, not the sides, of a 13-by- 9-inch or 9-inch square baking pan.

Melt the butter and chocolate chips together in a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water (or in a microwave, checking every 15 seconds). Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool a bit. Meanwhile, in another bowl, stir together the eggs, vanilla, sugar, and Purple Puree. Combine this purple egg mixture with the cooled chocolate mixture.

In a mixing bowl, stir together Flour Blend, cocoa powder, oats, and salt. Add this to the chocolate mixture and blend thoroughly. Mix in the chopped walnuts, if using, then pour the entire mixture into the baking pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in pan before cutting the brownies and use a plastic or butter knife. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. (i did not and it did not need anything else)

Keeps for a week in the refrigerator, covered tightly.

Sneaky Chef Make-Ahead Recipe: Purple Puree
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves (1 cup frozen chopped spinach, or frozen chopped collard greens)

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no syrup or sugar added)

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 tablespoons water

If using raw spinach, thoroughly wash it, even if the package says “prewashed.” Bring spinach or collards and water to boil in a medium pot. Turn heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. If using frozen blueberries, quickly rinse them under cold water to thaw a little, and then drain.

Fill the bowl of your food processor with the blueberries and cooked spinach, (or collards) along with the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of water, and puree on high until as smooth as possible. Stop occasionally to push top contents to bottom. If necessary, use a second tablespoon of water to make a fairly smooth puree.

This amount of spinach and blueberries makes only about 1 cup of puree. Double the recipe if you want to store another cup of the puree. It will store in the refrigerator up to 2 days, or you can freeze  1/4 cup portions in sealed plastic bags or small plastic containers.



Siesta... - those animal crackers are the crackers i plan to make. i need protein things for school that alex might like (very picky - but loves crackers) and these have chickpeas, 2 kinds of cheese plus wheat germ in the flour blend! i would feel comfortable sending a bunch if she likes them

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Katet on March 19, 2009, 02:38:17 am
Deb I promised ages ago I'd post these & never got around to typing it up & it was only when a friend had some & she wanted the recipe I thought I'd better get onto it on my free day 
Zucchini bread is attached as that was a PDF from a friend

Banana bread/cake
The recipe I use is as follows the original I started from is in brackets
3  (4) Tablespoons of butter (softened) - weight = 90g (125g)
5 (6) Tablespoons of Sugar
- cream butter & sugar until smooth then add following & mix gently
2 Eggs (beaten with a fork to mix)
3 (2) mashed bananas (if they are really big I only use 2, but I tend to buy medium size)
4 cubes of zucchini puree (I have a stock from home grown basically just microwave until cooked & puree & freeze in standard size cubes)
1 cube of pear puree
half a medium apple grated
dissolve 1 teaspoon of Bicarbonate of soda in boiling water (original 2 TBLSP boiling milk) & add to mix. Then add
1/2 Tablespoon of skim milk powder
and sift in the following -stir gently.
2 cups of flour - I use one of plain & one SR (recipe is for plain, but I found with the extra veg it got a bit flat so found the 50/50 worked best)
1 tsp baking soda/powder
Handful of dark chocolate chips... makes it more inviting to my boys.

I bake in 2 greased loaf tins (recipe suggests ring tin for 20mins) I've found I need about 25-30mins baking time at 180C. I then freeze a loaf for later.

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 19, 2009, 03:23:34 am
thanks for that kate - i happened upon a good zucchini loaf recipe myself and made it yesterday. the girls loved it and it has 1 1/2 cups zucchini and a lot of no sugar applesauce in it  so i was thrilled.

will try your banana recipe next
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: JudyLee on March 20, 2009, 10:33:11 am
Thanks for the zucchini bread recipe!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jess, lukeys_mom on March 20, 2009, 14:37:27 pm
hi ladies
just wondering if anyone has the DD recipe for chicken nuggets with beets and spinach? i meant to try and now can't find it.
also just read through the last few pages and deb the brownies sound great! thanks for sharing i'll definitely try when i get the time.
xxx
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: hjrmom01 on March 20, 2009, 15:05:13 pm
marking my spot!   :D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 20, 2009, 21:23:24 pm
i have the book jess so will TRY to find a moment this weekend to type it in  (dh is working today so less me time than normal)

the brownies WERE a huge hit and i will be making more this week.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Spectra on March 23, 2009, 13:01:27 pm
I see a lot of you make these recipes!  May I ask what a good food processor is?  I want to get one, but never had one before.  Thanks!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 23, 2009, 21:39:14 pm
i just use a Braun handheld - immersion blender (i also have a huge excellent food processor but rarely get it out). the brain has the stick to immerse and also has a bowl attachment to whizz things up. i use both all the time
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jess, lukeys_mom on March 23, 2009, 21:51:08 pm
hee hee i just told her about the same one on another thread - i only use my braun too deb. love it and i never take the big food processor out of the cupboard. :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nwmm on March 23, 2009, 21:57:21 pm
I have the Braun as well.  I got mine at Bed Bath in the US.  They send out coupons all the time.  It was very reasonable.  We use it to make smoothies all the time as well.  ;)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: sanaya on March 24, 2009, 06:07:02 am
my mil has the braun food processor which never gets used either (in the cupboard) i use my braun hand held one too.

i have a morphy richards grinder for all my dry grinding (the braun is no good for that) and making my chutneys.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 24, 2009, 08:36:42 am
hee hee i just told her about the same one on another thread - i only use my braun too deb. love it and i never take the big food processor out of the cupboard. :)

 i know isn't it funny. we got ours as our biggest wedding present (using money from my family as they were soooo expensive back in 99 - we got a combo food processor and blender unit from Moulinex) and now it comes out mostly when dh makes a huge batch of hummos or pesto.  for day to day life it is so unnecessary when you have the Braun!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jess, lukeys_mom on March 24, 2009, 09:11:30 am
we should forward this thread to braun, we'd all have jobs....;)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 24, 2009, 21:45:07 pm
just came searching as i knew i had to post a recipe but forgot which one- am writing a note to myself jess and will get the nuggets one on here tonight
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 28, 2009, 09:32:49 am
Finally came to type in the recipe and thought i will just google first to see if someone can save me the time of typing and sure enough - it was online all along

http://www.recipezaar.com/Deceptively-Delicious-Chicken-Nuggets-With-Veggie-Puree-257969

if you want any recipe you see in a book etc always google it as often a blogger has tried it and posted about it. surprised i got the 1st hit as recipezaar though.  sorry i took so long
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: jess, lukeys_mom on March 28, 2009, 16:26:18 pm
awesome deb! and silly me, didn't even *think* to google it!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Aly Mac on March 29, 2009, 05:22:23 am
i just made the choc brownies and pink pancakes from DD, great. she loves them!!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on March 31, 2009, 19:22:23 pm
Working on those toasted chick peas you mentioned, Deb, from the Sneaky Chef.  Excited to see how they turn out. :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on March 31, 2009, 21:42:49 pm
ooh let me know. i made the dough for the chickpea crackers yesterday and liv and i will bake them today.  the roasted ones are next - maybe i will do them at the same time since the oven will be on.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on April 01, 2009, 21:20:35 pm
Hmm . . . well the toasted chickpeas got mixed reviews here.  DS put one in his mouth, get the strangest look on his face and said, "My don't like it."  Then a few minutes he put several more in his mouth, started chewing and again said, "My don't like it" and then spit them out.  ::)

I think the taste good--a nice crunch--but they are a lot of work to chew and DS has texture issues.  DH tasted them and was not a fan, but he's averse to anything that might have any redeeming nutritional value.  ::)

I can see them being a really nice crunchy snack for me in the afternoons . . . will have to see how I feel as I finish off the rest of this batch.  Bummed that they didn't go over better with DS.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on April 01, 2009, 22:21:00 pm
well i made both yesterday - liv was eating the chickpeas with the mixture befo0re they went in the oven and liked them. i kept checking them but lost track as it still had ages to go according to the recipe and then they were yuck! inedible, small and shriveled.  how long did yours cook for before you took them out?

the crackers on heother hand came out great - taste just like the cheesy crackers you buy in the states that if i remember correctly are called Nibs???  of course alex did not like them and she is the d@mn reason i do all this.

so i keep at it!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on April 01, 2009, 23:04:05 pm
I cooked mine for about an hour, but I opened the oven to shake them around 3-4 times also.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on April 01, 2009, 23:06:29 pm
i did the same and mine were cr@p!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on July 15, 2010, 13:18:19 pm
i made the oatmeal and french toast (with pumpkin) and it was a hit.....

deb, i know you posted this last year but what is the recipe for the cheesy crackers you made? i'm trying to find a substitute for goldfish crackers that doesn't have autolyzed yeast or MSG.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on July 15, 2010, 18:44:01 pm
hi there- am overseas until end july but will have a look when i unpack the house when we move in ... might take a little while but definitely by 1st week in august sometime.  might try making them again as we have had a tough go on this 3 mo trip with pickiness driving me insane. alex has promised to go back to basics and try lots of foods when we return as i have explained again (3 1/2 yrs in now) how important it is to have variety.  we will see
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on July 15, 2010, 22:36:18 pm
LOL. no rush! i should buy that cookbook......
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: hjrmom01 on July 15, 2010, 23:38:39 pm
Heather, I have the cookbook Deceptively Delicious...what recipe are you looking for?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: aisling on July 16, 2010, 01:05:08 am
Heather you are like me! I couldn't bring myself to buy the book since DH is always like, you should of wrote the bloomin' thing LOL! I have taken it out umpteen times from the library as well.  I finally splurged last month and bought it for $10 clearance at our local bookshop. It does make a nice coffee table book too come to think of it!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on July 16, 2010, 02:03:01 am
hey! i have deceptively delicious but i think the cheese cracker recipe Deb made is in The Sneaky Chef?

I love looking at that cook book though. Fortunately, my DS is a good eater but it is good to sneak in extra veggies wherever you can! esp for me, i don't eat as well as DS!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on July 16, 2010, 11:45:34 am
Is this the recipe you're looking for Heather? http://www.bigoven.com/163429-Cheesy-Kids-Crackers-recipe.html

I haven't made them but keep meaning to as a friend of mine swears by them!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on July 16, 2010, 12:49:56 pm
thanks! i'm sure it is the recipe - there is a comment about adapting from The Sneaky Chef at the bottom. i wonder how she cut out those letter shapes? i've only seen big letter cookie cutters.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on July 19, 2010, 18:24:49 pm
Let me know how they come out - I may try them myself! This morning I made the sneaky chef power breakfast cookies (pretty tasty, hoping DD likes them as a quick healthy breakfast before camp) and her crunchy chicken tenders (plan to give them to both DD and DS for dinner tonight).
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on August 05, 2010, 13:38:42 pm
ok i have not made these crackers yet! but i will!

so my son - who has been a pretty good eater - has started a picky phase. so instead of nagging him to eat the veggies, it is so much easier to just add then into stuff. this will be easier for breakfast/lunch for me than dinner.

i pureed a ton of veggies yesterday (cauliflower, carrots, butternut squash and yellow squash). it was a lot easier than i thought it would be. the hardest to puree were the carrots. i don't think i steamed them long enough. i may have to invest in a food processor. i used a mini-prep and did well but doesn't hold alot of food.

anyway, i made the tortilla cigars from DD & they were very yummy & easy to make. they had squash & carrots puree! couldn't taste it! they aren't very spicy. next time, i'll add some cumin and chile powder.  i used leftover roasted chicken. this is definitely a good way to get rid of leftover chicken.

i'm going to make the egg puffs & scrambled eggs this week as well as the banana bread & blueberry lemon muffins. want to freeze some stuff for healthy snacks.

still need to get the sneaky chef book. might do that later today.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 24, 2011, 15:34:07 pm
Just thought I'd revive this thread as I'm having quite the hard time with my DS as of late. I took out the book from the library over the weekend and am making the banana bread (with cauliflower puree) as I write this.

Does anyone have favorite recipes that worked from this book or Sneaky Chef? I'm more interested in foods/breads that the dessert - cookies type.

Thanks!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 24, 2011, 19:45:39 pm
hey i just bought the newer cookbook - double delicious!

we have tried the chicken & rice soup, tomato soup, butternut  tomato soup and the chicken satay! all VERY good! esp the tomato soup! i will make all again.

im trying the lemon chicken and cauliflower gratin dish tomorrow.

i've made a ton of the muffins - PB/Jelly, banana bread, and blueberry lemon. all great. i eat some, then freeze the rest. banana bread is really moist.

i made the angel food cupcakes - those didn't work out for me but i used babyfood LOL. the blueberry bars were good.

i usually take one day to puree everything and freeze in 1/4 cup increments. it is pretty easy.

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 24, 2011, 19:49:05 pm
REALLY happy with the banana bread from the first book - super moist and tasty. Course DS wouldn't try it yet though. Maybe it will at least be a good snack for DD to bring to school. She eats healthy to begin with but an additional boost never hurts!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 24, 2011, 20:09:53 pm
what if you toast it and put peanut butter on top? i thought it was REALLY yummy
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on January 24, 2011, 22:11:39 pm
my 2 most sucessful recipes from DD are the chocolate chip cookies made with chickpeas (in their lunch boxes today) and the pink pancakes with beets (on the menu this week too)

with the cookies - i puree the chickpeas first and this makes a HUGE difference.  alex especially is texture driven and the smoothness is better - even dh and i love these cookies.  also i only use 1/2 the amount fo choc chips. i find DD recipes she goes heavy handed with the chocolate and sugar so have to tweak.

will look through my sneaky chef ones and let yuou know and feeding fudssy kids is an australian book that is similar.  will try to return today or tomorrow (nudge me if i don't)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 24, 2011, 23:04:32 pm
yea i think i'd prefer the chickpeas pureed but DS would not notice!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 24, 2011, 23:28:01 pm
Thanks Deb!

Heather will have to try toasting the banana bread for breakfast tomorrow. DD is already salivating over a piece for dessert tonight. Yet she's my healthy eater! And  DS is refusing to even consider it so far...
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Love, laughter, & PJs on January 25, 2011, 00:56:26 am
I was just going to start a post on 'Deceptively Delicious' since I just found it at the library - so glad to see this here! :D

Has anyone tried to make the tofu with veg puree coating?  I tried it tonight and it just didn't turn out that well.  I'm thinking maybe my puree was a bit too thick? I had to kind of hold it on the tofu as I put it in the breadcrumbs.  It was edible, with bbq sauce for DH and Austin!, but not fantastic.

I'm going to try the mac n cheese with butternut squash tomorrow. :D

I'm trying to stay away from sweets but I might have to make an exception for some of these recipes - glad to hear they're good!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jiinx on January 25, 2011, 01:54:49 am
Going to add this to the Buy list ..libraries and me = fines ::)

Thanks for reviving this thread, Karen!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: aisling on January 25, 2011, 02:19:21 am
It is massively discounted now and worth to buy since she brought out her new one:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Deceptively-Delicious-Jessica-Seinfeld/9780061251344-item.html?ikwid=deceptivley+deicious&ikwsec=Home

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 25, 2011, 02:55:39 am
her 2nd cookbook meals seem more appetizing than the first one, but i def need to try them.  and the desserts look great. there is a peanut butter pie that looks really yummy!

kate - no have not tried that tofu meal. i have tried the chicken nuggets though. hmm, i dunno but i do thin out most of the purees adding a bit of water (as recommended)

i need to make the mac n cheese. i refuse to buy the boxed stuff. there is so much salt in them!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 25, 2011, 03:30:57 am
Sarah - let me know if your LO goes for any of the recipes!

I'm not too into the dessert ones personally (I like my desserts to be desserts) but Heather if any of the meals work well definitely let me know. I tried to make some of her pancakes from the first book (with the sweet potato puree) tonight to test out and give the kids tomorrow morning but they were YUCK. Too thin and not battery enough and just not the right taste at all.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Peek-a-boo on January 25, 2011, 05:26:23 am
TBH, I ended up being unimpressed with almost everything I made from DD except a few of the dessert things.  She's very into lowfat which I don't think makes sense for kids--and low fat food just doesn't taste right!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Casseopea on January 25, 2011, 05:47:52 am
Jumping in... haven't read the previous posts.  :-X

We borrowed the book from a friend since my 5yo refuses to eat ANY veggie.  so far we haven't really done any of the recipies.  Mainly we just gleaned the concept and set out from there on our own.  It seemed like the most used and easiestly hid veggies were sweet potatoes, squash, and cauiflower.  So we got those veggies and cooked and pureed and then froze individual servings.  And hubby (since he is the cook) will just pull one out when he thinks a meal could *hide* it.  So far he has done squash in grilled cheese, and sweet potato and squash in hamburger meat (once for hamburgers and once for meatballs).  I think they have all been a success (I didn't have the grilled cheese) and the kids didn't notice- even the picky one.  Like I said, we haven't done the recipies and I am not sure we will.  I think we will just add it to the meals we already do- easier for us.  :) 
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 25, 2011, 12:10:30 pm
Bethany - I wondered about that lowfat issue too and that was one of the tweaks I planned to make! I think since she's cooking for a family and not just little kids she did it that way?

Can't use anything from the squash family here - DS is intolerant...
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jiinx on January 25, 2011, 12:20:14 pm
Bethany - I agree. Could you subs full fat or more fat when the recipe does call for lower fat? I wonder if that would change the taste of the recipe at all.

Aisling :) thanks hun..I think I'll have to make the trip to the bookstore as it's sold out online!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 25, 2011, 13:18:58 pm
hmm, i don't have a problem with the low fat issue. the meals are for the whole family and you can give your kid more healthy fats another time of day.  also, her kids are older (like elementary age).

granted, we eat pretty healthy around here and i don't make separate meals for anyone!

from the first cook book, i also made the oatmeal, pancakes (swt potato), egg souffle and scrambled eggs and i thought they were good. 

the tomato soup i made had pureed broccoli and you could not taste it all. Dh does not like broccoli so that was great.

re: squash - you could prob substitute carrots or cauliflower. so pumpkin is out too?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Love, laughter, & PJs on January 25, 2011, 13:23:33 pm
How do you all freeze your purees?  I froze in plastic bags but then last night (in the middle of the night :P) I realized that I probably should have frozen in smaller portions.   I don't want to use a zillion plastic bags, though. ???

Kimberly, I was thinking the same about using her idea and adding a bunch of purees to what we already make as well.  Can't hurt to try, right? :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 25, 2011, 13:24:49 pm
Yes pumpkin is one of the worst offenders actually. Leads to screaming night pains, hives and insane diaper rash. Carrots, sweet potato, cauliflower all fine (I think). Very true on the lowfat issue as well!

Kate, I freeze purees in ice cube trays and then transfer to ziplocs once frozen. And yes, for ages now I've been sneaking purees into things like mac n cheese, etc.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 25, 2011, 13:32:10 pm
i put mine in plastic bags (snack size) in 1/4 cups...but i need a better system. maybe i will try putting them in muffin tins and freezing next time.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jiinx on January 25, 2011, 13:54:56 pm
they also have things called baby cubes which are cubed shape containers with a lid that folds over :)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 25, 2011, 15:16:40 pm
Baby cubes sound good. Muffin tins a good idea too!

Making pancake mix batter for tomorrow - going to use from the Sneaky Chef quick fixes for boxed pancakes. Not getting too tricky this time - just using her variety using 1 cup boxed pancake mix (I have an all natural honey and buttermilk one), 1/4 cup oat bran, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp canola oil (I'm using grapeseed), 1/2 tsp cinnamon, one egg and 3/4 cup 2% milk. If they work well next time will sneak in some sweet potato puree...

He used to do really well with my homemade meat patties - which I make with ground beef, applesauce, whole wheat bread crumbs, chopped onion, shredded carrot and chopped spinach. Going to try that again today at lunch, fingers crossed.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Casseopea on January 25, 2011, 16:54:36 pm
they also have things called baby cubes which are cubed shape containers with a lid that folds over :)

We have the exact same thing and they work great.  I imagine an ice cube tray would work just as well.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Love, laughter, & PJs on January 25, 2011, 17:26:20 pm
Oh I forgot I have those baby cube things!  Must dig them out.  I wish I'd thought of this/found this book when I was in the habit of making purees for Austin way back when.  It was just part of my routine now and yesterday I felt so rusty - I spilled squash all over the place! ::)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on January 25, 2011, 22:51:33 pm
i freeze in ziplocks that i lay flat - i do 1/4c, 1/2c or 1c depending on the purees and which recipes i use (not just DD) so i tend to do 1/2c or 1c of mashed banana which i use in a pancake recipe or a muffin recipe, 1/4c of orange veg, purple puree (for sneaky chef's brownies which are a staple for alex who is my picky eater - they have blueberries, spinach and lots of wheatgerm and i add protein powder - my other secret weapon that i add to everything).  the recipe is available on her site along with quite a few other ones.

meant to say about Sneaky chef - i have a large container that i keep on hand with her flour mix - 1/3 each of plain flour, wholemeal flour and wheatgerm.  i often just use wholemeal flour in recipes but where i think it might be too much i use the flour blend.  wheatgerm is great for them.  and like i said i add protein powder too.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 25, 2011, 22:54:10 pm
Deb - what kind of protein powder do you use and what do you add it to?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on January 25, 2011, 22:57:16 pm
i went to the health food shop and talked to someone there - there are 2 kinds of protein powders - i cannot remember all the details but get the one that is NOT for bodybuilders.  they will then take you through it. i was told it does not alter any recipes in taste or texture so you can use it however.  one of my friends got it after i did as her kids are almost as picky as mine (except they eat vegetables / salad / love broccoli, just don't eat enough food generally) and she sprinkles it on their cereal for a boost.  i add a scoop or 2 to muffins i am making, pancakes, brownies, anything i am baking really. i already cut down the sugar etc in them and then i add in purees and protein powder and knwo that it is at least giving them the nutrients they need.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jiinx on January 26, 2011, 02:17:47 am
I do something similar that Deb does...I've never thought of protein powder which is brilliant. i add ground flax and chia seeds (chia seeds have a lot of amazing properties) to everything - scrambled eggs, oatmeal with banana, pancakes with bananas, pasta sauces..etc.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 26, 2011, 02:44:55 am
Chia seeds? Need to know more...

WISH my boy would eat scrambled egg. He did up till about 13 months but not at all since...
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jiinx on January 26, 2011, 03:09:42 am
I used to buy this brand: http://www.salba.com/

then I just bought flax and chia together.

Yeah eggs have been something she usually eats. Mind you, she doesn't eat a lot of it. I tried to sneak some blocks of veggies in it but she wasn't impressed. I think purees are just the way to go with her.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Love, laughter, & PJs on January 26, 2011, 13:11:52 pm
Protein powder is brilliant!  As is flax and chia.  I think I have both kicking around in the cabinets but hadn't thought to add them to A's food.  He eats primarily finger food, though, which we're working on, but it's hard to add much to slices of bread, chunks of cheese, and orange slices! :P
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 26, 2011, 13:22:56 pm
If you make your own bread though you can add flax or chia seeds into the dough?

Going to buy pre-made pizza dough today (Trader Joe's) and roll it out and blend veggies into the sauce and top with cheese and serve at lunch today... Wonder if I can throw some flaxmeal (I have some on hand) into the sauce/blender too or would that be yucky?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 27, 2011, 23:23:57 pm
OK so the pizza did work well yesterday. Just made up some pancake batter for tomorrow morning (since it's one of the few things DS is eating lately). Followed from Sneaky Chef - mixed 1 cup boxed pancake mix (I have an all natural honey/buttermilk one) and 1/4 cup wheat germ with 3/4 cup reduced fat milk, one egg, one mashed banana, 1/4 cup orange puree (mix of sweet potato puree and carrot puree) and one tbsp grapeseed oil. Hope they come out good/the kids eat them!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: twogirlsmommy on January 27, 2011, 23:29:19 pm
I have this cook book but I have slacked with really preparing the recipes.  Tonight I made dd the grill cheese and she ate it fairly well.  She loves the french toast, pancakes and the green eggs or the regular scrambled eggs with the cauliflower in them.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Love, laughter, & PJs on January 27, 2011, 23:48:37 pm
I tried the mac n cheese and it wasn't bad.  The cheese sauce got kind of clumpy as it cooled, but that's probably because it used low fat ingredients.  I'd make it again. ;)
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on January 28, 2011, 04:46:33 am
i have a great recipe for mac n cheese - wonder if you could just use ww pasta and add in a puree? would the puree make it too runny? could you add less milk and add a puree instead like cauliflower?

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1/4 lb Elbow Macaroni
  1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  1/2 Tablespoons butter
  1/8 each onion
  1/2 Tablespoons flour
  1/16 teaspoons dry mustard
  1/8 teaspoons pepper
  1/4 teaspoons salt
  3/8 cup milk


 1. Boil noodles to instructions
 2. Drain and pour into baking dish. (1/2 size steamable foil pans work great for 1lb of pasta.)
 3. Saute onions in butter.
 4. Add flour, dry mustard, pepper, and salt.
 5. Stir in milk until thickened.
 6. Remove from heat; stir in shredded cheddar cheese
 7. Pour over noodles; cover with foil.
 8. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
 9. Stir; add more milk and cheese to taste.


NOTE: Onions, flour, dry mustard, pepper, and salt are all optional. The other ingredients make a good macaroni and cheese, but it doesn’t “stick” together.

Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on January 28, 2011, 17:35:10 pm
Heather - that sounds good and I'm sure you could add in either cauliflower puree or b'nut squash puree. Maybe cut the milk back if so to 1/3 a cup if worried about it becoming runny?
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on February 03, 2011, 16:18:32 pm
DRAT. Just tried the Sneaky Chef breakfast cookies. Had to use half ricotta/half cottage cheese cause that was all I had on hand. But 400 must be way too high - After 15 minutes they were burned to a crisp! Have to go to the store tomorrow morning so will get more ricotta and try again, making them not as thin/flat and oven maybe to 375?

http://dayfamilyof4.blogspot.com/2008/03/by-requestagain-i-must-be-good-cook.html
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on February 03, 2011, 17:23:03 pm
let me know how it goes - i have not tried anything out of that cookbook yet.

i made the lemon chicken and cauliflower au gratin from the Double Delicious cook book and it was just OK. not sure if it was my cooking skills or not. def wont do the au gratin again bc DH hates cauliflower.  i don't  but it wasn't that great.

i wish i had all the ingredients for the tomato soup to make for lunch but looks like we'll be having canned tomato soup and grilled cheese. we r having a cold day here!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on February 03, 2011, 21:53:03 pm
karen - i tend to need to lower temp slightly for many recipes in the books.  my quantities also rarely match so am not sure what kinds of kitchens they have LOL.  last night i made a double batch of sneaky chef's monkey pancakes (a staple here) and she says 14 pancakes per recipe - i got 15 out of double batch using my standard 1/4c to pour it to pan... perhaps she does "dollar" pancakes like when i was a kid... or uses giant bananas (which is possible). i just do the recipe as directed 1st time, but watching closely, and then tweak as needed.
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on February 03, 2011, 22:02:25 pm
Which ones are those Deb - the ones that she adds banana and sweet potato to the boxed mix? If so my DD loves those - not as much my DS.

Yea, 400 seemed really high to me for baking cookies but figured I'd follow it the first time. Will make again tomorrow but do 350 or 375 and check after 12 minutes...

Mmmmm Heather I love tomato soup and grilled cheese!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Deb_in_oz on February 03, 2011, 22:05:56 pm
not boxed mix - bananas and orange puree (i used carrots!) and the flour mix (which has wheat germ).

the only one i use a packaged pancake mix is dece[ptively delicious pink pancakes which are the other staple here - i can never figure out exactly what to swap for the mix since every recipe is different and i don't know if i will have the right mix... shoudl just figure it out finally since it costs more for boxed, has packaging and has sugar which i don't usually add to  plain pancake recipes
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Mom to M&M on February 07, 2011, 20:14:37 pm
OK so the breakfast cookies ended up a bit hit! DD has been taking one to school for snack or having one for "dessert" and DS has been accepting one for a healthy after nap snack! I followed the recipe as is except I used unsweetened applesauce for about half the canola oil (going heavy on both the oil and applesauce portions) and baked at 375 instead of 400. Then before serving to DS I pop one in the toaster for a minute cause he likes them a little crisp, but not hard. GREAT source of protein and good grains! And I did use the cinnamon sugar on top.

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/articles/lapine_sneaky_chef_breakfast_cookies_1.html
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: nona on February 07, 2011, 20:33:22 pm
Yum will def make those!
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Jiinx on March 19, 2011, 16:15:48 pm
finally bought the book and making, quite often, the peanut butter and banana muffins and the peanut butter and jelly muffins. I feel so good about serving them! She pecks at them now and again and once in awhile she'll finish one ::) I feel guilt free eating them ;) :D
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Lemonthyme on February 12, 2012, 08:11:16 am
I did a post with hidden veg and fruit recipes in them, not all pureed so hopefully less faff!

http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2012/02/coping-with-fussy-babies-and-toddlers.html
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Lemonthyme on April 14, 2013, 05:54:56 am
More hidden vegetables:
Cheddar and sweetcorn muffins: http://mamacook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/cheddar-and-sweetcorn-muffins-for.html
Sweet potato scones: http://mamacook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/sugar-free-sweet-potato-scones-for.html
Pea and feta frittatas http://mamacook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/mini-pea-and-feta-frittatas-for-babies.html
Parsnip cake http://mamacook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/low-sugar-parsnip-cake-great-for-whole.html
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: Lemonthyme on March 09, 2014, 10:15:26 am
Mild chicken and vegetable curry with hidden vegetables:  http://mamacook.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/mild-chicken-and-vegetable-curry-for.html
Title: Re: "Deceptively delicious" recipes - hide the fruit and veg!
Post by: ButterflyLily on February 24, 2015, 08:22:15 am
OK so the breakfast cookies ended up a bit hit! DD has been taking one to school for snack or having one for "dessert" and DS has been accepting one for a healthy after nap snack! I followed the recipe as is except I used unsweetened applesauce for about half the canola oil (going heavy on both the oil and applesauce portions) and baked at 375 instead of 400. Then before serving to DS I pop one in the toaster for a minute cause he likes them a little crisp, but not hard. GREAT source of protein and good grains! And I did use the cinnamon sugar on top.

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/articles/lapine_sneaky_chef_breakfast_cookies_1.html

:( The link is broken.. Would love to try this out as well!