Perhaps you’ve heard about this book from the media coverage it received last year when it came out. Like many of you, I first heard about this book when watching the author on the Oprah Show. A bit skeptical, I dismissed a bunch of it as hype surrounding it as just that because of the author’s famous status. But several of my friends went out and purchased the book immediately saying they wanted to try it to help introduce a bit more nutrition into their children’s diets.
I gave it a chance and what I saw, I liked! Here’s what I like about the book–it’s basic premise is to use fruit and vegetable purees in the recipes to help boost the nutrition in the meals you prepare. But don’t think the author suggests that this is the only way to increase the fruit and veggie intake in our diets. She suggests that the recognizable fruit or vegetable (say steamed broccoli or sliced carrots) be served alongside the entree, side dish or dessert.
My biggest drawback was the thought of pureeing all those vegetables! I didn’t have a food processor (although she suggests you can use a blender too) and who has time to do all that? As my friends continued to tout their favorites in this book I started coming around and then tried pureeing a few things myself and experimenting with the recipes. (I ended up getting a food processor too–something I’ve used way more than I ever thought–why didn’t I get one sooner?)
Not only does the author include a section for simple Prep, Cooking and Pureeing of just about any fruit or vegetable you can think of, she also highlights the suggested equipment you might want and storage suggestions. She also includes (with the help of a registered dietitian) an easy-to-read Nutritional Guideline to what children should have in their diets but also th especific way fruits and veggies help our bodies and their primary source of vitamins.
I have to say most everything I’ve made from the Chicken Nuggets to the Meatball Soup to the Pancakes has been a winner and my family has gone back for seconds on most everything I’ve made. And pureeing couldn’t be simpler…I usually do it on a weekend afternoon or late afternoon while I’m cooking dinner (it’s relatively easy to just steam or roast the veggies). I have to say if I knew it was this easy I probably would have made more of my children’s’ baby food from scratch! And pureed sweet potato is so yummy I can just like it off the spatula sometimes (for real!)
All in all, I say it’s a book you should definitely check out–and maybe even add to your own home library! Happy cooking!
[...] couple of years ago when the book Deceptively Delicious came out (read my review of that book here) it received a lot of press. I was curious as were several of my friends whose kids were extra [...]