DAY 23: White Bread

Today - the fun begins... I decided to make something not from the book, and add my own secret ingredient. I made white bread. Because Bailey loves, peanut butter & honey sandwiches, I though this might be a good idea. The recipe made 2 loaves, and I added a total of a 1/2 cup of cauliflower in them (1/4 cup cauliflower in each loaf). Since this recipe was not in the book, I had to be careful (trial/error) - I didn't want to push it. Maybe in the future, I can add more cauliflower. I have never made bread from scratch before, but I have bought the frozen bridgeford bread loaves. Bailey liked that bread with butter. To my pleasant surprise, this turned out beautifully. At first, when it was warm, it was kind of crumbly and soft, so it didn't make good slices. But it was still good with Butter. Bailey ate a piece with no complaining, but didn't want anymore. When it cooled a little more (and I changed knives), it cut better slices, so I sliced him a half of a piece & added butter and cinnamon/sugar, and made him eat it. He did so with no complaining. If I am brave enough tomorrow, and I can make nice slices, I will make him eat a PB/Honey sandwich with it. Even if he doesn't like this, I'd say today was alright! I have 2 loaves of homemade bread!!! YUM!

DAY 22: Chocolate Chip Cookies (without the oats)

I decided to give it another go with the Chocolate Chip Cookies. I also decided to leave out the oats this time. Unfortunately, before I made them, Bailey begged me to tell him the special ingredient. So I assured him, there were no oats this time, but there is something called "Chickpeas" (Garbanzo Beans). He said he would try 1 bite. He did, and said he could taste the special ingredient. I'm thinking, it was the oats AND garbanzo beans he was tasting last time. Maybe I just didn't grind them up enough. I will have to make them pastier next time. Bailey really love the toll house recipe I make, so he'd like me to make them again sometime. I should add the chickpea paste to that without telling him.  That's when the real fun begins... when I am beginning to hide things in normal food I make, that I know he will eat. I actually loved the way the cookies turned out tonight. I am not a fan of oats myself.
Another special ingredient: If you read Brian's Facebook status tonight, you would know that Reese spit in the batter bowl. She was tasting the beaters, and decided she didn' like it. When I had my back turned, she spit it back in (I think I she realized she shouldn't have done it right as she was doing it, but it was too late). When I caught her, her response was "Sorry - I don't like Chippies" (chickpeas). Don't worry, I got it out quickly, and didn't bake that part.
After Bailey rejected the cookie, I didn't make him finish it. But I did offer him a brownie (with Spinach & carrots). He took a good sized nibble, and wasn't impressed. He doesn't like bready things. No muffins, cakes, etc. He only likes white bread, rolls and donuts. So I wasn't surprised he didn't really like the brownie. Oh well, it was worth a shot... I am trying to think of a way to make my own white. His favorite staple food is peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches. Hmmm... I will have to get creative on this one. Cauliflower is white... this just might work.

DAY 21: An unexpected Break with some brownies on the side

It's been a few days since I've made anything new. My daughter has had a fever for about 5 days straight. So my attention has been on her. She was really burning up. My hubby didn't even get a proper father's day celebration, because I was so pre-occupied. Oops! I feel really bad about that! My husband is such a great dad - just ask our kids, he deserves the best father's day ever! I managed to have the kids help make a present for Brian's dad for Father's day, but poor Brian kind-of got neglected! Reese is better now, so Maybe I'll have to make some of  Brian's favorite recipes for him... hopefully - that will help make it up!

Anyhow- Last Wednesday, I did make brownies (with spinach & carrots), and banana bread (with cauliflower), and chocolate/peanut butter dip (with carrots) to dip apples in. (It took me 1/2 of the day to make/bake it all)! It was all ready to go in a tray to take with me to Pasadena the next day to have our community there try, and Reese gets a high fever that night. So obviously, I wasn't going anywhere the next day. So it sits in my freezer, waiting for this Thursday. However, we did try some of the brownies. I was careful not to serve them warm. The book warns to serve them cool - otherwise, you can taste the spinach. Wow! I sprinkled some powdered sugar on them - THEY WERE DELICIOUS! I am not a big brownie fan, but man - these were good. I couldn't limit myself to just one! They aren't terribly sweet - maybe that's why I like them. To be honest - they have a lot of fiber in them too - according to the book. I haven't made Bailey try these yet - he is not a fan of brownies... we will see when Thursday rolls around. And I can give you other peoples' opinions as well.

Day 20: Graham Cracker Ice Cream Sandwiches & Pureeing Day

Okay okay, so I went away for the weekend, and took a long break. Actually, we were watching Brian's cousins (ages 15, 13, and 10 - all boys), along with our own 2 kids. I wasn't going to subject them to my experiment, so I just stuck to the plan and made the dinners their mom had planned. So I didn't really take a break from cooking, just from the experiment.
It was a nice break, but by now, I was just itching to start again. It has been 6 days since I had made anything from the book. Last night, after we got home, I made the cauliflower eggs, for dinner. Let's just say I finished what the kids didn't eat (which was quite a bit), plus my own - - Not a big hit.

Today, I made Ice Cream Sandwiches with Graham Crackers. The Ice Cream was the homemade part. I'm not quite sure why this was included in the book, because there were no fruits or veggies in it. The Ice Cream was plain yogurt, Sugar, milk, and it called for lemon juice & lemon zest, but I don't like lemon flavored things, so I left those out, and added vanilla extract instead. Basically, you just mix them all together, and let it freeze for a few hours. Then scoop it into the middle of 2 graham crackers, wrap in wax paper, and freeze for 30 more minutes. Let's face it - the ice cream was bitter! But even though the recipe calls for Graham Crackers, the picture in the book is Cinnamon Graham Crackers. That's the kind I had anyway, so that's what I used. The sweetness of the Cinnamon, counteracted the bitterness of the ice cream - - if you ate them together. My kids both love Cinn. Graham Crackers but neither of them could get over the bitterness of the ice cream. My in-laws liked it, and so did my husband (he had 2).  I thought it was pretty good too. Here is a picture:

I have made so much stuff from the book,  was starting to run low on some of the purees. So today, I bought and pureed, a whole 2 lb butternut squash, 1 2lb cauliflower, a bag of frozen spinach, and a banana. I pureed more carrots about a week ago. Boy was that a lot of work!! It took at least 2 hours. My food processor that I use is actually just a 1 1/2 cup capacity food chopper, That doesn't chop so well. It takes forever, but it makes a nice puree. 

Baby Shower Gift: I have the BEST idea for the next Baby shower Gift I need to get! 1- A food chopper ($10 @ Target), 2- a pack of Zip lock Microwave Steam Bags (That's what I use to steam all my veggies), and 3 - some Ice Cube Trays. Most standard Ice Cubes Spaces in Trays are 1 oz. So if you freeze the purees, you automatically have 1 oz increments.  Then you can freeze any purees you have made (and they stay good for months) in a zip lock bag! It is always cheaper to buy the veggies/fruits and puree them yourself, and they are easy to defrost. Even if you are going somewhere, just stick however many pureed cubes you need, and put it in a zip lock food container! Once it defrosts. you are good to go! It's a BABY FOOD MAKER! This is how I save my purees and freeze them. Since they are each 1 oz already, I just follow the recipe by grabbing however many cubes I need (8 cubes = 1 cup)!

Sorry this post is so long. I will be making 3 things on Thursday and several people in our community will be my taste testers. Will see how it goes - Thanks for sticking with me!

Day 18: Hot Cocoa

Today, I attempted a beverage. I made hot cocoa. It didn't make as much as I wanted, so I made 2 batches. It was interesting. Hot Cocoa would be better on a cold day, but I thought - What the heck! Bailey loves Chocolate milk - even hot to have hot chocolate, so let's give it a shot. Apparently, the familiar taste of chocolate syrup is supposed to mask the taste of the hidden Sweet potato puree. It also has cinnamon in it, and to be honest, it tasted like a mix between, hot chocolate, and liquid pumpkin pie. I was surprised how much the sweet potatoes mixed in. I expected it to be much frothier... My instead, it just had little tiny bits of it (not many though. I know for next time to strain it, to get those little bits out).
I let you guess weather Bailey liked it or not... guess who found the little bits in his cocoa? He took 3 sips (the required amount by me), with a wet paper towel in hand to wipe off the little bits left behind on his tongue. Oh buh- ruh-ther! Seriously - it wasn't that bad! I put marshmallows in mine, and it was actually really good. I think I will make this for the extended family on Christmas eve (Strained this time), with lots of marshmallows available... :)

On a side note, Bailey requested my "Special Recipe" Spaghetti. I added the sauce we had left over to carrots, cauliflower, butternut squash, and sweet potato purees. He was none the wiser, and ate quite a bit. When he asked if he could get up, I said to eat one more bite. He did without complaining. I need to start keeping Pasta and sauce on hand... Deception really is Delicious!

Day 17: Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins

So obviously, I have decided to take breaks here and there. I definitely need them. Thanks for your patience.
Yesterday, I made Peanut Butter Banana Muffins. I wanted Bailey to take 3 bites, and he wanted to only try one. We compromised, and he took 2 (big ones). There was no gagging, but he definitely did NOT like them. I have come to understand, he is just not a muffin kind of guy - some people just aren't.
Reese gobbled her's up. I'd say these were pretty good. Very similar to the first ones I made (Peanut Butter & Jelly/Honey). In fact, Bailey was convinced that's what they were, and said he had tried them before. There was cauliflower puree mixed in this, and it was totally camoflauged by the peanut butter. To be honest, you couldn't even taste the banana. My husband liked it, my niece did NOT like it (Reese finished hers), my nephew, said it was okay. My mother in law liked it, my father in law doesn't like peanut butter, so he didn't have one, and sis in law is allergic to bananas, so she didn't have one. I appreciate everyone being so adventurous, though. So I'd say the consensus was about half and half. It was alright - I think I'll add more banana next time.

Day 16: Spaghetti & Garlic Bread

So- We are back in business! Took a good two day break... it was just what I needed!
Tonight I made Spaghetti. Bailey has had this in the past, but it's never been a favorite. But tonight - it was a hit! I posted a picture of his bowl after he was done (below). He ate at least half, if not more, of what I gave him. I count that as a win! I also served Garlic bread, which he has really taken a liking to lately This was just Store bought garlic bread - no veggies.. The book I am following has 2 different Spaghetti Recipes, but I decided to go my own route. I got Prego sauce at the store. It was called Veggie Blend, and every 1/2 cup of sauce is equal to 1 1/4 servings of vegetables. It was like Marinara sauce with hidden veggies. Then I took some frozen puree's I had, and added 3 oz carrots, 1 oz of cauliflower, and then I had a bag in the fridge of about 2 oz pureed carrots, and also added about 2-3 tablespoons of sweet potato puree I also happened to have. I figured, I better use it before it goes bad. Both of the kids (and Brian & I) loved the spaghetti, and I was so proud of this meal! It was FULL of veggies, and besides all the veggies I happened to have on hand, it only costed me 4.89 for everything. Plus, I still have half of the noodles, uncooked, about 1/4 cup of sauce unused, and about 1/2 of the spaghetti & sauce I cooked, and 1 piece of garlic bread. Frugal too - WIN-WIN!





Bailey's bowl after he was done.



Another little break

Hi everyone- after the last fiasco on Day 15, I needed another break - I'm really starting to burn out. Please pray that I will have patience and strength to continue! I will start again tomorrow with Spaghetti for dinner. We will see... Low expectations! ;)

Day 15: Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, as it turns out - I am the WORST mom in the world - and here is why:
Bailey convinced me to make a dessert tonight - Chocolate Chip cookies. Usually, he loves my homemade cookies. Ya know - the Nestle Toll House recipe?
Have you ever had to negotiate with your child to eat a chocolate chip cookie? I have not... until tonight.
Now is when I CURSE this recipe... okay maybe not curse, but this recipe FAILED... big time! The cookie recipe calls for old fashioned oats - which Bailey won't touch with a ten foot poll. So I ground them up, and mixed them with the flour. Smart, right? Well apparently, I didn't grind them up enough, because Bailey was tasting/feeling them in his mouth, and spitting them into the trash can.
The hidden vegetable in this recipe is garbanzo beans. The recipe didn't say anything about pureeing them, but I steamed them, and at least threw them in the food processor a little to grind them up. Bailey was convinced there was nuts in the cookies, and said they tasted like Peanut Butter... ( I think it was just the oats he was tasting).
The cookies were really very good. Sweet and browned on the outside, moist and chewy on the inside.  My mother-in-law gave me the ultimate compliment and said they tasted like "Junk Cookies" - which are cookies that her other daughter-in-law makes only at Christmas. They are highly coveted, and she won't give out the recipe. So this came close. Reese liked them, and so did my husband and I.
So, after spitting out the oats after each nibble, it took Bailey 3 HOURS to eat one cookie. Boy- was I irritated! I was ready to cuss out someone.  After he told me he didn't feel good, I said I am sorry - now eat your cookie! (I didn't believe him, because that's always his excuse) I was so mean to everyone tonight, and told Bailey he was hurting my feelings, and how I am doing this whole thing for him! He apologized, and got down to the last bite. I left the room, because I had just had it, and there is was - I heard from the next room - a big gag, and he threw up everything in the trash can. My child REALLY didn't feel good, and here I was forcing him to eat a cookie.
Such a pitiful night... and I feel like the worst mom ever!
Not so excited about the deserts now - I have NO IDEA what I am gonna make tomorrow.