Deceptively Delicious - Jessica Seinfeld [29]
Julian: I like this on my tacos!
Sascha: I don’t.
Jessica: Shhh! She has it in her quesadillas!
Twice-Baked Potatoes
(WITH CAULIFLOWER)
If you use a microwave, this is a “ready in 10 minutes” meal. For a meatless version, just leave off the turkey bacon.
Prep: 15 minutes • Total: 80–85 minutes • Serves 4
4 large baking potatoes
1 cup cauliflower puree
½ cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 slices turkey bacon, cooked according to package directions and crumbled (optional)
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Scrub the potatoes and prick them all over with a fork. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until a knife penetrates easily, 50 to 55 minutes.
3. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the pulp, leaving a thin (about 1/3 inch) shell.
4. Mash the potato pulp with the cauliflower puree, sour cream, margarine, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spoon the mixture back into the potato shells. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon, if using.
Variation
Top with a sprinkling of shredded reduced-fat Cheddar or part-skim mozzarella, or a dollop of plain yogurt (preferably Greek) or lowfat cottage cheese before baking.
Waffle Sandwiches
(WITH SWEET POTATO)
These aren’t really waffles, just whole-wheat bread slices toasted and crisped in a waffle maker. Your kids will love the “waffle” texture, and they’ll never guess that there’s sweet potato in the yummy filling.
Prep: 5 minutes • Total: 8 minutes • Serves 4 • No meat
½ cup nonfat or lowfat (1%) cottage cheese
½ cup sweet potato puree
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
8 slices whole-wheat bread, crusts removed
1. Preheat an electric waffle maker.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese, sweet potato puree, egg white, brown sugar, and salt. Spread 4 slices of bread with the mixture and top with the remaining slices.
3. Place the sandwiches two at a time in the waffle maker and close the lid. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sandwiches hold together and the filling is no longer runny.
Variation
Thaw frozen whole-grain waffles, and sandwich the filling between two of them. Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, then the “wafflewiches,” and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side on until the filling is cooked.
Social Creatures
I’VE LEARNED food goes down better in a social environment that brings the family together. A warm family atmosphere gives a child something to do other than stare at his plate, and a picky child who eats alone is likely to be pickier because there is little distraction. I try to duplicate the happy mealtimes of my own childhood, which were sociable and relaxed, with easygoing conversation. (Oh, wait a minute, that was a dream I had!)
Seriously, though, the moment I put the food down on the table, I sweep the children up in a lively conversation about my day. They answer with their own stories, and before you know it, mealtime is over, without a hiccup! Realistically, in this day and age, it’s very difficult for many families to actually sit down together. Even if you can’t be there with your children, ask whoever is taking care of them to sit with them—even if he or she is not eating—and make conversation.
Pink Pancakes
(WITH BEET)
Take a store-bought pancake mix, fortify it with grated apple, a little beet puree, and some ricotta cheese—it’s a full-protein meal.
Prep: 10 minutes • Total: 13–15 minutes • Serves 4 little children
¾ cup water
½ cup ricotta cheese
¼ cup beet puree
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup pancake mix
¼ cup grated apple
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
Pure maple syrup or fruit, for serving