The Sneaky Chef {Cookbook Review}

A lot of my readers and those who attend my workshops ask me about picky eaters. “How can I get them to eat a larger variety of foods?” While I’m no expert I am a mom and I’ve faced my own picky-eater challenges.

A 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 picky eaters. But in hearing about this book, I discovered the The Sneaky Chef which had a similar concept and had been published a few months before. So I checked it out.

There are things I like about both books and I think they actually complement each other well. What I love about this book is the section in the beginning where the author, Missy Lapine, talks honestly about “sneaking” healthy foods into our kids meals. No, she doesn’t expect the whole process to be sneaky–serving fruits and vegetables and whole grains in their “usual” form along side the prepared dishes is not only suggested but encouraged.

If you think pureeing your foods takes too much time, think again. It’s really simple and even a little fun seeing all the colors blend up into a yummy puree. I talked more about pureeing in a previous post. Lapine also gives simple ideas of what foods hide well in what dishes and how to help you think about hiding healthier foods in your meals. She also talks about simple ways to boost nutrition without adding calories. A handy key at the end of this section summarizes all the different methods of making meals more nutritious and delicious.

All the purees are made ahead and stored in the freezer ready to go. Each puree recipe includes a listing of all the recipes that it will be used it making it even easier to get started right away! Also included is a nutritional breakdown of what makes up the purees.

Fun recipes like Popeye’s Eggs (with green puree), Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins, Tricky Taco Soup and Magic Meatballs are sure to appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. Be sure to include your children in the preparation and you’ve got a recipe for success! Many recipes also include a Sneaky Tip like making mini-meatballs instead of larger (and more puree-detectable) meatballs.

The Sneaky Chef is the secret weapon for any parent of a picky-eater to get a little more nutrition in those growing bodies! Coming soon….a review of Lapine’s most recent book The Sneaky Chef to the Rescue: 101 All-New Recipes and “Sneaky” Tricks For Creating Healthy Meals Kids Will Love. Don’t miss it!