October 2009 Archives

Inquiry: Missy-I love your books.  The recipes taste great and are easy to prepare.  We're Baby Boomers in our 60's.  We need a sneaky book for us since, as we get older, we need even more nutrient-dense foods with fewer calories to compensate for our inability to absorb certain nutrients as we age.  When are you coming out with a book like this?  Hurry!  We need it!  Thanks.  –Linda S.

Inquiry: I am absolutely astonished by the deliciousness of your sneaky chicken tenders!  While reading the ingredients and method, I was extremely doubtful... but since my kids had been delighted by Brainy Brownies and Cocoa Chocolate Chip Pancakes, I just gave these a whirl.  And WOW.  So extremely delicious!  My toddler is hoovering them with big "mmmm" and "yummy" sounds.  And for the first time since about 10th grade, I am eating breaded chicken with no guilt.  Thanks for an amazing recipe! –Beth M.

Dear Beth,

Thanks so much for the thumbs up and "yums" on the chicken tenders : )  I really love creating food that is delicious. With my two daughters and husband, I can't get away with anything less than that! Sneaking in the good ingredients at the same time is always the icing on the cake.

Great to hear from you : )

With healthiest regards,

Missy

Dear Missy,

Hello from Kingston (Ontario) Canada !  I would like to first thank you so much because since I have started cooking with your recipes last week, both of my kids teachers have noticed that they are both calmer and are more attentive in class.  Being a teacher myself, I encourage my Grade 6 students to find ways of being sneaky in their kitchen too hence that is how I discovered and loved your Brainy brownies and so did my kids !  My question is : how about celery, pepper, and those other veggies besides the ones in the book... are there recipes that would work on two picker eaters? 

Thanks and happy cooking !

Karine

Hi Karine,

I love to hear testimonials like this, especially from teachers : ) Thanks so much for sending it. It makes it all worthwhile : )

Regarding other veggies, I have actually tried to work with celery and peppers, but it hasn't worked out yet. Due to the stringiness of celery, it doesn't puree properly and so it's hard to hide. I thought I could find a way to put red peppers into a high vitamin C smoothie and some other dishes, but my kids totally nailed me on the taste. (Interestingly, my kids now love red peppers!). Peppers have a taste that's hard to hide, but I always encourage my readers to try new recipes on their own. You never know how things can work out in wonderful ways!

Enjoy in good health : )

Missy

Dear Missy,

I was wondering what is the "frosting" pictured on the Motts Applesauce and juice Chocolate Cupcakes? It looks so yummy!
Thanks! :) 

Dear Sarah,

I see that you're a "visual eater," and kids are even more so--they eat with their eyes first. That's why one of my most important and successful 13 "methods of disguise" is color coordination and matching foods that hide well, as well as using "visual decoys." In the case of these cupcakes, literally a few calories worth of sprinkles makes kids extremely interested in eating a delicious cupcake filled with hidden applesauce and wheat germ.

OK, all that said (!), the frosting is my "incredibly improved icing." Below are the recipes for several great, and greatly improved, icings.

Plus, check out my new holiday recipes (and 101 all-new Sneaky Chef ideas!) by clicking Here!

Enjoy in good health : )

Missy

Incredibly Improved Icings

The name says it all! These icings really are incredibly improved nutritionally. And they taste good too, so you may have a hard time convincing your mind that this usually empty food can be a concentrated source of bone-strengthening protein and calcium. In fact, with less than half of the sugar of regular icing, this healthy version is much more palatable than the sickeningly sweet stuff on most cupcakes.

These icings can be made a few days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use the icing, soften it with half a teaspoon of hot water and mix well.

Sneaky tip: I tested these icings with organic nonfat dry milk (Organic Valley brand, which is available at natural food stores) and with instant nonfat dry milk (Carnation brand). I found the organic version to be a bit smoother and easier to dissolve (as well as being healthier). In either case, it is critical to use boiling liquid with the recipes below.

White Icing:
Nutrition Highlights: Protein and calcium
Rich in vitamin D, tryptophan, and calcium

Makes about 3/4 cup
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix dry milk and powdered sugar in a bowl, then add the boiling water and vanilla extract. Mix very well. If needed, add a little more water, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. 

Green Icing — light in color:

Nutrition Highlights: Protein, calcium, and vegetables
Rich in vitamins A, D and K, manganese, folate, iron, tryptophan, and calcium

Makes about 3/4 cup
1/4 cup Spinach Juice (See Make-Ahead Recipe #5 on Free Recipe Page of this website)
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Heat the Spinach Juice until just boiling (or heat in microwave on high for 30 seconds). Mix dry milk and powdered sugar in a bowl, then add the boiling Spinach Juice and lemon juice. Mix very well. If needed, add a little water, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Optional flavorings: The light green color of this icing goes well with  ¼ teaspoon peppermint, almond or pistachio extract.

Lavender (light purple) Icing:

Nutrition Highlights: protein, calcium, and fruit 
Rich in vitamins C and D, tryptophan, calcium, antioxidants, and folate 

Makes about 1/2 cup
1/4 cup store-bought pomegranate juice or Blueberry Juice (See Make-Ahead Recipe #6 on Free Recipe Page of this website)
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Heat the Blueberry Juice (or pomegranate juice) until just boiling (or heat in microwave on high for 30 seconds). Mix dry milk and powdered sugar in a bowl, then add the boiling juice. Mix very well. If needed, add a little water, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. 

Chocolate Icing: 

Nutrition Highlights: protein and calcium
Rich in vitamins B and D, potassium, tryptophan, antioxidants, and calcium

Makes about 1/2 cup
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix dry milk, powdered sugar, and cocoa in a bowl, then add the boiling water and vanilla extract. Mix very well. If needed, add a little more water, half a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.