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I just made the Mac n' Cheese #2 with ingredients I happened to have at home. It was great and my kids loved it! I don't have a problem getting them to eat the veggies, it's me. Sometimes, I just don't feel like it.

Ah, another case of The Emperor Has No Clothes. I wouldn't use Jessica's Seinfeld's book if it was given to me. The best thing you can do for your child is to find a way to prepare foods in a way they actually enjoy. If they don't like steamed carrots, try different cooking methods and recipes until they discover a carrot dish they can eat. It's more work but it's also more honest and there's no 'tricking' a loved family member into doing something.

I agree that kids can and will eat a wide variety of foods when parents are matter of fact about what is on the table. That being said, I have made brownies for meetings that have a can of pureed black beans (water and all) in place of the other ingredients in box mix brownies. They are great and it is fun to have people guess what is in them.

I wasn't planning to buy this cookbook, as my son eats his veggies without too much prodding, but a friend got it for me for Christmas. I applaud the idea -- there's nothing wrong with making the food you serve your family more nutritious, particularly if you're serving actual, recognizable vegetables along with the "deceptive" dishes.

However.

I have cooked three recipes from this so far. First, the brownies. Really, it's a crime against humanity to call them brownies. They are foul, and not brownie-like in any way. A total waste of chocolate. Next up, the chocolate chip cookies that contain whole chick peas. These were not too bad, and perfectly edible for the first day or two (admittedly, my husband and I picked the chick peas out of our cookies, just because...ew). But after a couple days they got kind of gross, texturewise. But my son LOVED them. Last night I made the souffle-type egg dish which contains squash puree. It was ...ok. Of course, my son wanted nothing to do with it, even though I called them Puffy Muffins.

I'm sure I will try a few more recipes (I have a bunch of puree to use up) but I do not have high hopes. I'd like to try the mozzarella sticks and the rice krispie treats, since what kid could resist either of those?

Don't buy Jessica Seinfeld's book. Another author wrote it and submitted it to Seinfeld's publisher. It was rejected, but amazingly two months later it was published as Seinfeld's book with the exact same recipes and even similar wording in the text. There is a pending lawsuit by the original author against Seinfeld and the publisher.

the book in question was published about 6 mo before the seinfeild book came out. Yes,she is sueing claiming the book iss a ripoff but really many moms and dads have hid the veggies so it will be a tough case to prove as there are other books on the market with the same premise. I say be upfront and present the veggies as if you LOVE them and the kids will to. My kids love carrots when they are hungry i give them "bunny food" and they nibble away.