Easy way to hide vegetables
~ Works for picky kids or if you’re just trying to up your vegetable intake!
Good day to all! So this last year my husband and I have been in the process of adopting our 9-year-old nephew. Not an easy process but completely worth it! Now that I have to plan meals around a picky kid I have to get a bit creative.
I hear “I don’t like that” or ” that’s gross” or “eww” quite often. I refuse to make more than one meal in an evening so I try to think of ways to make healthy foods that he doesn’t know about.
I’ve come up with something that takes a small amount of prep work but can be frozen and added to a lot of different recipes and it really adds some great flavor to some old favorites.
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What you’ll need
The amounts can vary depending on how much you want to make ahead. I tend to put about a cup and a half in a sandwich bag to freeze and I get about four bags.
- 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 celery sticks, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced. Colour doesn’t really matter
All you have to do is put all the ingredients in a large frying pan with about a cup of water and let them saute until they’re very soft. Keep adding water as needed so they don’t fry and brown.
Once all the veggies are nice and soft add them to the blender. If you need to add more water a little at a time until it blends smooth. Once that’s done simply transfer to containers or bags in whatever quantity you like. I find for most recipes a cup and a half is enough.
What can I use it in?
I’m glad you asked! I add it in my spaghetti sauce, meatloaf (it looks a bit soft but it sets fine and tastes amazing!) I’ve made hamburgers with it as well as macaroni and cheese, I even used it in cheesy scalloped potatoes and only needed half the cheese. There are so many possibilities!
You can use other vegetables too if you like just be careful of the stronger tasting ones such as broccoli as it can alter the taste of whatever it’s in. Peas might be a nice idea and butternut squash can be a really nice addition too.
What are some ways you like to get more healthy foods into your picky kids? I’d love some suggestions!
Comments
Great idea! I think my kids would even eat this!
Thanks! He has no idea and sometimes neither does my husband! Most of the time the reviews are 100% positive! …my little secret
Great ideas! I had only one picky eater out of three, and I was often tempted to bribe him to try veggies! Could have used some of these ideas! In the end he came around and realized that a lot of veggies are delicious!
I’m hoping that after a while he’ll be braver at trying things and realize they’re delicious but even then I may continue to hide because it tastes good lol
Who doesn’t love hiding veggies? It can feel like a lot having to eat them, but great ways to enjoy them. I actually just like veggies cut up in my sauces.
I like veggies any way because they’re delicious but even a little boost is good for me too! Plus hiding them is kind of fun
Great ideas! I don’t have kids but I struggle to eat vegetables. My salad consists of lettuce, tomato, & jalapenos. Occasionally peppers, chopped red onion, cucumbers-only in the summer. I think this is a great way to use it for the winter – I am on this! Pinned and ready for future use. Thank you!
Thank you! I love vegetables for me it’s easy. I feel like you can never have too many though so this works for our family in more than one way! Plus everything tastes really good with it lol