Deceiving Your Children: Chapter 1

As you may have figured out (1), I like to cook, and although, I do get most of my recipes off the internet, I love cookbooks.  There's just something about setting open a cookbook and whipping up a delicious meal to make you feel all warm and domesticky.

This past Christmas I received a different kind of cookbook.  It's called Deceptively Delicious by Jennifer Seinfeld (2).

The main theme of the book is tricking your husband (3) children (4) into eating vegetables by pureeing them into goo and then putting them into everything from from pasta to mac and cheese to brownies.

In short, I have decided that this book is pure genius (5).  If you simply lie don't tell your children that you are hiding things that they find disgusting in their food, they will eat it. Plus, there are great chapter titles like "Changing Habits Through Loving Deception."

Apparently, it is hard work to be deceptive and not get caught.  First most veggies must be steamed or roasted. Then they are pureed in a food processor.  Then you take 1/2 cup portions of each of the purees and put them in ziplock bags to freeze.  Now Mrs. Seinfield assures us that you won't notice the extra 2 -5 minutes it takes to puree and it takes her maid her only about an hour a week to prepare all of these purees.  Dear Mrs. Seinfeld, have your maids you ever roasted a squash (6), then waited for it to cool (7), then scooped out the still steaming flesh into a food processor (8), then processed (9), then portioned into individual bags (10) ?

As I read further about pureeing spinach and cauliflower and beets, the book also suggests that you can puree turkey and chicken for extra protein (11), and there are also fun "Tip" pages on topics such as "How to Say No" (12) or tips for "Dining Out" (13).

In conclusion, this is a great book and a good idea. So anytime now that I want to get my folic acid from my lasagna or beta carotene from my sloppy joes, I will turn to Deceptively Delicious.

1.  If you have actually been paying attention to my posts
2. Yes, like Jerry's wife
3. Well Now you know my motive
4. and now you know my mom's motive for giving me the book
5. and Jennifer is thinking "Who's the more clever Seinfeld now Jerry..huh?"
6. 30 to 40 minutes 
7. 5 to 10 minutes 
8. 3 minutes 
9. 2 to 5 minutes (oh look she got one right)
10. 5 minutes
11.mmm ... liquid dinner
12. Really? You're pureeing vegetables and hiding them in other foods... you are way too late on this tip page to start now
13. Because that will make your kids eat healthier?