Looking for something to hide veggies in!

Adi - posted on 04/21/2011

what i normally do,ad abite of favourie,if that doesnt work the abite of sugar.coz veggs are important to other kids.

Mandy - posted on 04/21/2011

I make pancakes with pumpkin and pureed beets in them (separately). Pink pancakes are a big hit at my house. Try getting the book by Jessica Seinfeld about hiding veggies in foods. The meals are great and they will never know!

Laura - posted on 04/20/2011

I get my grand kids to eat veggies by taking them to the local farmers market (during warm months) I give them $5 each, and tell them to pick out what they would like. I show them how to choose the best item available, I really encourage them to use their senses in smelling, touching looking, and hearing when picking produce. My theory is, the more they participate in the selection of what they eat, the easier it is to get them to eat the good stuff. We bring it home wash it, I let them help prepare it and usually they are so proud they eat it weather they like it or not ...lol...:)

Erin - posted on 08/15/2009

put celery, onions, peppers, and a bag of dry cole slaw in a processor, add to ground round with ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and presto - the BEST home made sloppy joes you have ever eaten!!! kids and hubby will never know its in there, just tastes GREAT!!!!!!

Angela - posted on 08/13/2009

what you can do is just blend all the veggies up in a blender and add it to foods like pasta or anything saucy. if they dont see it they wont know its in there.

Rhonda - posted on 08/13/2009

THANK YOU for all your advise! I will try these and keep these in mind! So far my oldest daughter told me the mash potos taste different!

Rhonda - posted on 08/13/2009

Quoting Christine:

My friend gave me a recipe that was delicious; it's a healthy dessert recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies: 1 box devils food cake mix, 1 can pumpkin, and 1 cup chocolate chips (nuts optional)...you can substitute any cake mix and different chips (butterscotch/peanut butter). Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes. They are soft and the chips are so gooey when you bite into them. Your kids will never know they just got a serving of vegies in their cookies.

Do i follow the box of the cake mix and also add the pumpkin or just the pumpkin.

Michelle - posted on 07/28/2009

i found this really great recipe on allrecipies.com called posh squash.. i fixed it for 7 kids as a treat and they LOVED it. i didn't tell them it was squash until after they cleaned their plates.. also i didn't put in the bell pepper and it was even better to me...

Anna - posted on 07/28/2009

My kids love this salsa and I love that they will eat it. It is hard for me to get my son to eat veggies but he loves dipping thing so this is what I make and he loves it. I do not put any oil in this recipe.
Preparation time: 55 minutes plus refrigeration time
Serves: 4
Cups of Fruits and Vegetables per Serving: 1 ½
Ingredients:
4 large ears yellow sweet corn-on-the-cob to yield 2 ½ cups cut corn
½ cup finely chopped red onion
1 ½ cups finely chopped ripe tomato
1 ½ jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
½ to 1 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. salt
ground pepper, to taste
Inspect corn on the cob and remove a few outer leaves and as much silk as possible without completely removing husk. Wash and place on baking sheet, partially covered with aluminum foil, and bake on the middle rack in a preheated 375º F oven for 45 to 55 minutes.
Once corn is roasted, remove baking sheet and allow corn to cool. Peel ears, removing all silk. If desired, place ears over an open flame (grill or gas stove), turn often, until somewhat colored. Cool completely and cut kernels from ear. Corn should measure at least 2 ½ cups.
Combine corn with chopped onion, tomato, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. Add olive oil and mix well. Add lime juice and cumin to taste; then stir in salt and ground pepper. Cover and chill, allowing flavor to blend for about 15 minutes, or more. This recipe may be made in advance but is best served the same day.

Betty - posted on 07/28/2009

Applesauce was great! Put the veggies in the blender and add it to the applesauce. Worked for me.

Karen - posted on 07/28/2009

My son is in food therapy for eating problems. Here is a fun game: Take on item a week and do it everyday. Ex: Broccoli and let them paint using dips with a piece. Dip the veggie in different types of eatable dips (tasty ones preferred) as they are playing with the food they will be getting used to the visual texture and feel. Eventually encourage them to touch the food to their lips - give the broccoli a kiss and earn a m & m. Then start with a bite and spit. Take a bite and spit it in a cup. For every bite they earn a m & m. This will help the mouth get used to the texture and taste. From there move on to a bite, chew, spit....you probably see the pattern here. It is a slow process and don't expect a miracle over night but it really works. Also for dinner put it on your plate and ask your child to feed you a piece of it. The problem is sensory and you have to get the eyes, hands, nose and mouth to accept the item to avoid the gagging when they eat it or think about eating it. Good Luck

Jeanette - posted on 07/28/2009

I have a friend that really has a problem with her son's eating. She blends healthy vegetables (broccoli, etc) that he will not eat into pasta sauce-- it will hide anything. She said it isn't detectable at all.

Shawn - posted on 07/27/2009

I haven't found a good recipe for the left over mash yet, but I'm working on it.

Shawn - posted on 07/27/2009

They will think this is a frosty treat...

Rhubarb slush

8 cups cut up rhubarb

2 quarts water

2 cups sugar

Boil until nearly mush

Into an ice cream bucket, drain all of the liquid.

To the liquid had a package of any flavor Jello (strawberry,cherry, watermelon) until it is disolved.

Freeze. When frozen, scoop into cups and add any kind of lemon/lime soda, even diet and no caffiene works.

My grand daughter even likes it without the soda, like a snow cone.

Pamela - posted on 07/27/2009

I'm with Peggy!! I buy the "Preggo, Chunky Garden" spaghetti sauce it has Zuchini, carrots and all kinda stuff in it and it's really good, when I put it on thier plates I mix cheese in it since they are NOT big dairy/veggie eaters! Also, I make "HOT BAGS" they have saucage (preferably Downhome saucage cause it's the best saucage EVER but unless ur here in the south I dont think you can get it. idk.. but any saucage will do just pick ur favortite, 1/2 pieces corn on the cob, red potatoes (halved) and zuchini, squash, and onions. That's it and it's delicious! Oh, put all that in heavy duty foil and put it in the oven at 425 for 1 hour and 45 min.'s. When it's done take the red potatoes and mash them and then mash plenty of squash, onion and zuchini INTO the potatoes and dont forget the butter and Tony Sacheries seasoning (I may have spelled that last name wrong but you can find it in any grocery store in the seasoning isle. I'ts something that we came up with and it's a hit with everyone around here, we Love it!!

Grisell - posted on 07/27/2009

I know how you feel. My favorite "hiding places" Are: ground meat: grate carrots and mix them with the meat. / refried beans: I prep them puertorican style (sofrito, sazon,tomatoe paste, cooking ham or bacon) and on top of this all the veggies I can find (carrots,potatoes,celery, "yautia"). My friend the blender gives the final touch and this mix goes in warm tortillas with cream cheese. This is a winner here.

Heather - posted on 07/26/2009

buy a magic bullet or any brand of machine something like that it will be your best friend for many of years esp for hiding veggies in things! i use mine a couple times a day.i hide veggies in smoothies..juices..quesadillas..breads..cookies..muffins pizzas spaghetti sauce ect ect..it purees it up very finely and my kids have no clue they are even in there. i guess it all comes down to what they don't know won't hurt them! my kids absolutely love zhucchini bread i just tell them it is banana bread,,haha(even my hubby eats it and has no clue!

Katie - posted on 07/26/2009

Check out that book by Jerry Sienfield's wife! It has a lot of good ideas.

Cheryl - posted on 07/25/2009

I add zucchini to my spaghetti sauce as well, also you can make potato pancakes with shredded carrots and zucchini and the kids think they are great! Another way to get them their veggies is V-8 V-fusion which tastes just like fruit juice. Each 8 oz glass gives them one serving of veggies. I also add very small bits of broccoli to sauces, my kids like gravy and sauces.

Tonya - posted on 07/25/2009

Keep your fruits and veggies fresher longer with the "FridgeSmart" containers by Tupperware. Keep fresh up to 2 weeks. www.my.tupperware.com/tonyaelekes

Amy - posted on 07/25/2009

If you are looking for just the health for your kids, you can puree most any vegetable and mix it right in w/ what you cook. They would never know the difference - unless it is something like mashed potatoes and you add peas to the mix! I'm must talking about adding to casseroles and easy to disguise foods!

Stephanie - posted on 07/24/2009

Smoothies. I freeze all my fruit and veggies that get too ripe to eat raw and make them into smoothies. (mostly frozen fruit / berries, some veggies, and milk or juice, in the blender for a couple minutes) Spinach (fresh or frozen) works especially well since it does not affect the taste - I can put TONS in before my kids even notice! I've even added frozen broccoli and carrots. I add finely chopped fresh or frozen spinach to EVERYTHING - sauces, omelets, smoothies, pasta dishes.....it's a great veggie to hide in stuff!

Jenny - posted on 07/24/2009

what about rissoles grate up carrots an zucchini stuff like that they will never know :-) or i make a chicken an veg pie would they eat it like that ???

Dixie - posted on 07/24/2009

Hi I'm Dixie, I have a brocolli salad that my family adore now. If your interested let me know.

Gayle - posted on 07/24/2009

when you make macaroni and cheese add peas to them and a broccalli dish steam your flowerets then put them in a baking dish add 1 can of cream of mushroom and some velveta cheese and fried onions cook in the oven 350 for 30 min my family ate it up

April - posted on 07/24/2009

I add blended veggies to all my sauces.Spagetti sauce, salsa,chilli, soups. The key is to blend. If they can't see them they won't even know. I even add them to my childens smoothies and they have no idea. I will add a handful of carrots to my kids pinapple smoothies and they don't even know. I have also found that they will eat raw veggies with ranch dip or dressing. I also blend them and add them to breakfast muffins. I take regular banana muffins and add blended zucchini and carrots with pineapple and I add oatmeal. It may sound gross, but you cant even taste it. There are many veggies that are versital. Hope it helps.

Cathy - posted on 07/24/2009

Go to your local library and borrow Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfield ( Jerry Seinfield's wife!) She has lots of great recipes where you cook vegetables first, then puree them then add them to your favorite foods. My guys LOVE mashed potatoes so I cook cauliflower, puree it and add it to the mashed potatoes, they don't even know and it makes them sooooooo creamy

Tina - posted on 07/23/2009

I boil and then chop fine cauliflower and put it in spaghetti or lasagna...it is a match and no one has found it yet...

Maria - posted on 07/23/2009

You have to get Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. I live by that cookbook. I too, have a husband and a 7 year who won't eat there veggie, but they do now. Good Luck!

Cathy - posted on 07/23/2009

I put vegetables in everything. My kids have given up asking what things are made of! I like to chop and saute onions,peppers, zucchini and mushrooms and add them to my meatloaf. I also shred zucchini and/or carrots and add it to any spice cake mix. You can also add pineapple to the mix and totally confuse them.(this cake is my kids favorite!)

Jill - posted on 07/23/2009

Applesauce! It makes everything taste better.

Karen - posted on 07/23/2009

Try putting shredded zuccini in brownies. Just put it in the batter and bake. My granddaughter a picky eater didn't know and she loves my brownies.

Janet - posted on 07/23/2009

There is a book out by Jerry Seinfeld's wife. She purees veggies and puts them in everything from muffins to brownies, soups and sauces.

Joanne - posted on 07/23/2009

if you make mashed potatoes you can mix cauliflower in with it -- if they'll eat black olives you can stuff a pea in them.

Jessica - posted on 07/23/2009

check out Jessica Seinfeld's cook book "Deceptively Delicious" it uses veggie purees in everything from pancakes to chicken nuggets and most adults, let alone kids, can't even tell. I know my husband can't anyhow. god luck!

Nachelle - posted on 07/23/2009

I tried mashing up yellow squash or carrots and put it in my 3 year old's mac and cheese, but she could still pick out the smallest chunk. Then someone recommended putting baby food in it and it worked! I put carrot baby food in mac and cheese and also in pancakes and she loves it!

Heather - posted on 07/23/2009

try a cookbook called Deceptively Delicious by Dr. Jessica Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfield's wife). I have it, it's very interesting, but have to admit that I have never tried the recipes.... they seem good tho

Amy - posted on 07/22/2009

I hide spinach, zucchini, yellow squash and mushrooms in lasagna!

Christine - posted on 07/22/2009

My friend gave me a recipe that was delicious; it's a healthy dessert recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies: 1 box devils food cake mix, 1 can pumpkin, and 1 cup chocolate chips (nuts optional)...you can substitute any cake mix and different chips (butterscotch/peanut butter). Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes. They are soft and the chips are so gooey when you bite into them. Your kids will never know they just got a serving of vegies in their cookies.

Stacey - posted on 07/22/2009

My little ones love brownies so I use the "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld. You use 3 ozs semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, 1/2 cup carrot puree, 1/2 cup spinach puree, 1/2 firmly packed light or dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tbs trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread, 2teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 2 large egg whites, 3/4 cup oat flour, or all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Preheat oven to 350 degrees melt chocolate over low heat, mix in large bowl chocolate, veggie purees, sugar, cocoa, margarine and vanilla and whisk until smooth and creamy. Whisk in egg whites, stir in the flour, baking powder and salt. Then bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely before cutting. I hope you and your kids like them. Good Luck.

Corrie - posted on 07/22/2009

you can mash up broccoli and cauliflower in your mashed potatoes...the carrots and zuchini in sauce works very well!!!

Debbie - posted on 07/22/2009

I've cooked this for my family for ages and it's a favorite. Take a rotisserie chicken (or canned chicken, or breasts or whatever cooked chicken you like). Mixed cut chicken with 1 cup mayo, 2 cans mushroom soup, 1 soup can of water or chicken broth, 1 bag frozen green beans, 2 boxes of Uncle Bens Quick Cook Wild Rice mix (include seasoning pack). Mix all together and put in greased casserole dish. Top with either broken chips or breadcrumbs coated in butter and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees (to make sure rice is done). You can make it lower calorie/fat. It's good for potlucks and for sick friends.

Amy Jo - posted on 07/22/2009

You can also make fresh fruit smoothies & incorporate some veggies in there like brocoli, carrots, brussell spourts, spinach (which ever you prefer). Because all the natural sugars found in fruit it will camouflage the taste. But be careful too much brocoli & they will notice. The best juice is pure pineapple to hide them. And who doesn't like a Fruit Smoothie? Best Wishes!

Kristina - posted on 07/22/2009

Zuccini bread, pumpkin breads.. they are awesome! I'll also candy carrots.. and the kids will eat them because they are sweet. YOu can also buy the pastas made out of veggies.. They are colorful and fun for the kids.. and it's a serving of veggie.

Bev - posted on 07/22/2009

I hide veggies in everything and my kids have no idea...they even tell me how great the food was. I puree or grate the veggies and add them in. I put shredded (very thin shred) carrots in my hamburger and they tell my that those burgers were the best they ever had. I grated onion, mushrooms, green peppers, zucchini, and pureed spinach and put it in spaghetti sauce and they ate every bit and asked for seconds. If they question me about what the speck is I just tell them that it's just a piece of spice and they are alright with that. Hope that helps, and good luck!

Kristin - posted on 07/21/2009

Look online for recipes that help you hid the veggies in stuff that kids love. Or, there are some cookbooks out there that do the same thing. My son loves veggies, thankfully, but i still make some of these recipes because they're good. Cauliflour in mac and cheese and beets in chocolate cake, broccoli in breaded chicken nuggets.... it's all steamed till soft and pureed and mixed in so you cant taste it....And actually, there is a brownie recipe that has spinach and carrots in it, and my husband is a corrections officer at a maximum security facility, and he brought the brownies to work with him, and now the guys ask him to have me make those instead of the regular brownies because they're better! If a bunch of COs like them, and they live in fast food and pizza, i'm guessing your kids will like them too. Good luck!

Nancy - posted on 07/21/2009

Honey baked rutabage look like french fries but are much healthier.
Whipped cauliflower can be passed off as mashed potatoes, sometimes. Depends on what your family is used to in their mashed potatoes. If they only expect butter and salt, it's harder. If you normally use sour cream though you can sneak them through.

Tara - posted on 07/21/2009

I make quesadillas and inside them I put fresh spinach in it... my kids dont even know its in there I then put three dips with it I make a pesto sause(which is green) So I add sour cream to lighten the color a bit, salsa, and plain sour cream so they have choices. And spaghetti is always a dish that you can dice up veggies really really small so they dont even know its there and most kids love spaghetti, and this one they may not go for but my kids love it I make veggie kabobs and fruit kabobs, and then set out lowfat ranch dip for the veggie kabobs and cool whip for the fruit kabobs. Even if one of my kids do not like a certain veggie I still make it anyway and I expect 1 bit (not a lick lol) just 1 real bit. I think I offered summer squash to my son at least 35 times and on that 36th time he actually said "mommy I think I like this"

Liz - posted on 07/21/2009

I put chopped spinach in my meatloaf and meat balls.

My kids LOVE stir fry - the vegis are al dante

And swap spaghetti noodles for spaghetti squash.

Natalia - posted on 07/21/2009

I would add small dices to my son's fave sauce, alfredo sauce, and he would tell me that they 'weren't that bad after all'.