Top 3 recipes with hidden veggies for picky kids!

The ‘not so fun’ side of parenthood has brought you here! Hello!! If you, too, are looking for recipes with hidden veggies, it is no secret that your child has started his or her food tantrums. Whatever you put on their plate, the vegetables always go to the dustbin. God forbid this continues for another couple of months; you would be running to get supplements for them. Before you do that – it is better to skim through this post, pick up some recipes and try them out.

#Just for the record – there are some vegetables like carrot, zucchini, and cauliflower that you may sneakily add to your kids’ dishes, that too as a puree or grated. 

But what if they find out? They will not!! This post is all about twisting the vegetables to suit their taste buds. Scroll down for the details –

What are the recipes with hidden veggies for children?

#1. Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Has a kid ever said no to muffins? Here you can check out recipes with hidden veggies to curate that perfect mushroom-loaded muffin that he will quietly eat – without picking anything.

Ingredients – 

• Turkey (1 pound)
• Dried and grated zucchini (1 cup – US Standard size – 250ml)
• Kosher salt and black pepper (1 teaspoon each)
• Minced onion (2 tablespoons)
• Ketchup (1/2 cup)
• Seasoned breadcrumbs (1/2 cup)
• Egg (1)

For the ‘frosting’ of mashed potatoes, you will require – potatoes peeled and cubed (3)/ chicken broth and sour cream – both must be fat-free, and 2 tablespoons each/ garlic cloves (2)/ dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon)/ skim milk (1 tablespoon)/ pepper and kosher salt

How to make it? 

• You will have to place the garlic and the potatoes in water and bring them to a boil. Add the salt (as per taste).
• Before proceeding – preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, place foil liners on the cupcake pan.
• Once it is boiled thoroughly, you will have to cook it for another 20-25 minutes. While you are doing this, you will have to add the other ingredients of the frosting to the saucepan. Add the milk, chicken broth, pepper (to taste), and sour cream. Keep stirring the mixture until they are cooked (fork tender).
• Now take another bowl and combine the ingredients of the meat. We take it that you have cooked the turkey and the egg. Concoct the – meat, egg, zucchini, onion and breadcrumbs. Add the salt and pepper according to taste.
• Once the concoction is prepared – you will have to divide the meatloaf evenly (in the shape of muffins). Bake for 20 minutes.
• Take it out of the oven and serve it with the mashed potato frosting.

#2. Homemade Pizza Bagel

That naughty kid of yours will never say no to the pizza. That’s your one-time opportunity! It is time to check out recipes with hidden veggies to prepare the perfect pizza that he will devour.

Ingredients –

• Mini whole-grain bagels (10)
• Mozzarella cheese – shredded (2 cups)
• Tomato sauce (made with hidden vegetables – 2 cups)
• Toppings of your choice (optional)

How to make it? 

• First, lay out the cookie sheet and separately lay out the bagels
• On top of that – you will have to spread the sauce and put in the mozzarella cheese. If you use toppings, you can spread them on that or let them go.
• Now use your hands to stick it on the bagel. Once the set-up is ready, either you can freeze it or bake it for 15/17 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

You might be wondering about the speciality of these recipes with hidden veggies that you are using to prepare this pizza.

Well – for starters – it is not the tomato sauce that you have been consuming. This sauce is a blended concoction of carrots, tomatoes, onions, garlic, red beets, bell pepper, red cabbage and sweet potato. You will have to first steam the vegetables.

After that, blend them with the bell pepper. Now, take the onion and garlic and cook them until brown. Add the blended mix to this and further cook it for another 15 minutes. Cool down the sauce and then pack it up in a jar labelled tomato sauce. That’s how you feed your picky princess.

#3. Cauliflower Tater Tots

Though it is one of the tastiest vegetables you will come across, for the kids, this is not the one they would enjoy in their meals. Well, it is time for you to be sneaky and check out recipes with hidden veggies.

Ingredients – 

• Cauliflower florets (3 cups)
• Cheddar cheese – shredded and low-fat
• Diced onion (6 tablespoons)
• Minced garlic (1 1/2 tablespoons)
• Light cottage cheese (3 tablespoons)
• Egg white (1)
• Minced parsley (3 tablespoons)
• Gluten-free panko (1/2 cup)
• Pepper and salt to taste

How to make it? 

• You will have to preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, spray the cookie sheet, so the food particles do not stick.
• Blend the florets to a rice-like structure and then put them in the microwave for 2 minutes.
• Now you will have to add the garlic, cottage cheese and onion to it. Mix it well and then microwave for another 20/25 seconds.
• Once this is done, it is time to add the rest of the ingredients – egg white, cheddar cheese, panko and parsley and mix well. Add pepper and salt to taste.
• Being one of the recipes with hidden veggies, you must ensure that the vegetables are mashed well. It is now time to create the tots (you can either use a spoon or make them with your hand).
• Done? Now spray the top of these with cooking spray and microwave for 20 minutes. Bring them out and respray on them. After that – go ahead and bake them for another 10 minutes. Your tots are ready to be devoured!

How to make the kids have their veggies?

If you have a tantrum-throwing kid (which you do, given that you are still scrolling this post) – the only way out is to prepare recipes with hidden veggies. You got to trick them into believing that they are gulping down some delicious dishes that do not have those carrots and spinaches staring at them.

Another way out is involving them in the cooking process. You could be mouthing a positive word or two about each of these veggies as you cook them vegetables. It may happen that they pick up a good word or two and start eating some of those that are laid down on the plate.

Some tips to hide the veggies

You have already read up on the recipes with hidden veggies, which you may try henceforth. If you are running late on some days, here are some tips (which, if you prepare beforehand) that will save your hacks from being exposed.

• When you plan to hide the vegetables, pick up options like – cauliflower, carrots, spinach and zucchini. They are easy to disguise and can be used in baked products, pasta, sauces and soups.
• Smoothies, soups, purees, and mashed potatoes are the perfect places to hide the vegetables. While the tomato sauce may have carrot shreds, you could always mash the cauliflower with the potatoes.
• Kids are naive – but they are not any less intelligent. Before you infuse the sauce with veggie shreds, blend the same well. Also, use similar coloured food products while you pull the disguise.
• Before blending the vegetables, make it a point to cook them well (both fresh and frozen). Also, do not add too many blended veggies in one go. Increase the quantity with time to keep suspicion at bay!

#Also, keep this sneaky act of preparing recipes with hidden veggies – and FBI-level secret from your kids. The moment they know it, you are busted!

Practice what you preach

Finding and preparing recipes with hidden veggies can be challenging for parents. It usually works; at other times, it might not give the desired results. So, while you are at this trial-and-error method – you should portray your love of veggies before your kids. Most kids emulate their parents. When they see you professing your love for vegetables, they might just start eating them without the blow-ups!

If you are looking for more exciting news or unique recipes, do check out this website. If you wish to share some recipes with us – leave your comments below.