Hide Your Veggies

I love making things and then telling my husband what is in them after he eats them. I don't poison him, silly, I mean making it healthier. Like, substituting low fat applesauce for oil. In Redbook's May 2011 issue they had some great vegetable purees you can add to your cooking and baking, and no one will ever know!

Purple Puree:
6 cups raw spinach
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, slightly thawed

Puree all ingredients with 2 tablespoons of water in a food processor until smooth. If necessary add another 1 to 2 tablespoons for a smoother consistency.

Use it in:

• brownies-substitute for half of the oil the recipe calls for.
• Taco Meat-Add 1/2 cup per pound of beef.
• Burgers-Use 1/4 cup per pound of meat.

Green Puree:
2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
2 cups raw baby spinach
1 cup frozen sweet peas

Steam broccoli and spinach over 2 inches of water for about ten minutes or until very tender. Add peas for last 2 minutes. Drain; add to food processor with 2 tablespoons of water. Puree on high till smooth.

Use it in:

• Guacamole, use in place of 1/3 of the avocado
• Lasagna-substitute for 1/3 of the sauce with puree
• Chili-stir in 1/2 cup per batch

Orange Puree:
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into chunks

In a medium pot, cover potatoes and carrots with water and boil for about 20 miutes until very tender. Drain and place in food processor with 2 tablespoons of water. Puree on high until smooth.

Use in:

• Banana bread-substitute for half of the the oil or butter the recipe calls for
• Mac & Cheese-add up to 1/4 cup to a box of prepared mac and cheese

White Puree:
2 cans(15 ounces) if white beans, like great northern, navy or canneillini

Rinse and drain beans, place in a food processor. Puree with 2 tablespoons of water until you get a smooth(not wet) puree, like the consistency of peanut butter. If necessary, thin with 1 teaspoon of water.

Use it in:

• Coffee cakes, muffins or chocolate chip, oatmeal or sugar cookies-substitute for half the butter the recipe calls for.