Share the Health
in Search

Health Blog

SNEAKY CHEF: Sneaking Cauliflower and Zucchini in Favorite Meals

As The Sneaky Chef, I seek out the world’s healthiest foods that we want our kids to eat for optimal health, then I find ways to hide it inside the dishes that our kids love and will eat without a fight.  Today’s topic is hiding cauliflower and zucchini, two very healthy vegetables that are not only packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they provide fiber to recipes which helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing the sugar “spike and crash” reaction that often occurs when we eat simple carbs.  They also add low calorie, no fat volume to dishes, allowing us to have a bit larger portion without overeating.

Cauliflower is one of those foods that gets a really bad rap, perhaps because of its smell when cooked or maybe just bad childhood memories. My husband, Rick, tells me he used to run out of the house when his mother made it, and he still threatens to when I pull it out of the vegetable bin. So I’ve had to find ways to hide this nutrient powerhouse in my family’s favorite meals. Its immune-boosting benefits include vitamin C, folate and fiber.

 

First, I steam the cauliflower until fork tender and put it to my mini food processor with some chunks of peeled zucchini and a little water. Puree the veggies until smooth. Add a few tablespoons to mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce, lasagna and even corn bread (it also cuts the need for all the oil).

Want to see it first hand? Check out this video, which walks you through this simple process! Feel free to share the idea with your friends as well—in case they want to sneak even more nutrients into their own meals.

Format: wmv
Duration: --:--

 

 

The Sneaky Chef

(Missy Chase Lapine)

 

 

 

 

Missy Chase Lapine is the author of The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals (Running Press, March 2007).   She is the former publisher of Eating Well magazine and the founder of a natural baby product line Baby Spa®.  Missy is currently on the Culinary Arts faculty of The New School, in New York City, and operates The Sneaky Chef workshops, which is a program of cooking classes and demonstrations that teach families how to eat healthier.  She is a contributor to Parenting Magazine, ediets.com, and education.com, and available to individuals, groups and businesses for private cooking instruction, workshops and personal coaching in The Sneaky Chef methods and recipes.  Missy lives with her family in Westchester, New York.  For more information visit www.TheSneakyChef.com.

 

Comments

 

acha said:

I tried the cauliflower puree.....I didn't steam the cauliflower using a steamer but used the microwave oven.  I had a hard time pureeing the veggies so I had to add a lot more water than what the recipe instructed.  

April 12, 2007 12:43 PM
 

Sneaky Chef said:

You can definitely use the microwave to cook the cauliflower until tender.  Some food processors may require more water than my recipe calls for;  feel free to add water until you achieve a smooth consistency (not too wet).  Thanks!

April 13, 2007 11:12 AM
 

gail said:

I have been reducing or eliminating the eggs and oil in cake mixes and scratch cakes by using sour cream and diet sodas.  What can I do with those brownie recipes that use all the oil and 4 eggs?  and how much of the flour could I replace with whole wheat?

help!

April 17, 2007 7:42 AM
 

Sneaky Chef said:

You can replace all the flour called for in the Sneaky Chef recipes with whole wheat flour, but I recommend using a whole grain “pastry flour” or blend so the baked goods are not too dense.  You can find these at natural food stores and most markets.  As for replacing oil, you can replace up to 2/3 the oil in the brownie or any chocolate baked good recipe with my Purple Puree.  If you take out ¼ cup of oil, replace it with ¼ cup of puree.  I don’t recommend replacing all the oil in a baked good with puree, however.  As for eggs, you can substitute with equivalent amounts of low fat egg substitute.  I’m not a fan of artificial sweetners, however.  Thanks for the great questions, and keep up the healthy cooking!

Missy

April 20, 2007 9:08 AM

If you are experiencing problems with Ignite, please e-mail us at ignite@lumenos.com

This site is not intended for individuals under the age of 18.

The content on Ignite is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied upon without reviewing with a medical professional. The opinions expressed on Ignite Blogs and Channels are of the authors alone and not of the Lumenos plan. The Lumenos plan does not recommend or endorse any specific product, service or treatment. This site is not intended for claims and benefits questions. If you decide to meet another user you met on this site, exercise good judgment and common sense. Always meet in public places and bring a trusted friend with you to the meeting.
Please refer to our full User Agreement for additional information.