Hide the Good Stuff!
If you have a family who tends to resist the healthy changes you make to their menu, then I say it’s time for you to fly under the radar. There are ways to hide yummy goodness in the foods you prepare; leaving those you serve unaware, yet nutritionally fortified. That’s right— “stealth health” is what I’m talking about!
Here’s a sample “incognito” dinner plan with a sweet ending:
Meatloaf (with oat bran added)— Use your own recipe with the addition of ½ cup oat bran sprinkled in. For moisture and a “bonding ingredient”, use apple sauce rather than eggs.
Mashed Potatoes Plus (with equal parts cauliflower)—Steam, rather than boil your potato pieces for 10 minutes, then add an equal volume of chopped cauliflower florets on top for another 15 minutes. When fork tender, mash it all together, adding some reduced fat milk, salt, and butter. (You can even substitute smart blend-type butters made with half olive or canola oil).
Green Beans Almandine (sautéed in coconut oil)—After cooking your beans, toss together with toasted almond slices which have been sautéed in coconut oil (a good-for-you-fat) and a bit of salt.
Power Brownies (enriched with black beans)—Drain one 14.5 oz. can of black beans and rinse them in a colander under very hot water. Pour the beans back into their cleaned can and fill with water to the very top. Puree the beans and water together in a food processor. Combine the black bean puree with one box store-bought brownie mix (hold the eggs and oil—no other ingredients are required). Bake as directed. The resulting dessert will be a dense, chocolatey treat somewhere between brownies and fudge in texture. (Shhh…don’t let on to the secret until everyone has enjoyed their first bite!)
This meal’s healthy goodness can remain our little secret. I won’t tell if you won’t!