19 Jan, 2009
Healthy Lunchbox Dessert: Chocolate Brownies (with Spinach and Carrots)
Posted by: Meg In: Lunchbox Ideas
I have a four year old son who hates vegetables. Not abnormal, I know… but I love the thought of sneaking in veggies when he doesn’t realize it so he at least has them hidden in his diet. I came across this brownie recipe on Amazon.com as a featured recipe from Jessica Seinfelds book Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food. Could these really be good?
I tried out the recipe yesterday, and made a couple of minor adjustments (for instance, I used Canola Oil instead of margarine spread). Also, I poured the batter in a mini muffin pan to make brownie bites. They were a huge hit and my son has no idea he is eating spinach and carrots!
The improvised recipe:
1. Make 1/2 cup carrot and 1/2 cup spinach puree. (I steamed 3 medium carrots for 12 minutes, and added in a large handful of fresh spinach during the last 2 minutes. Blend in food processor or blender and add a little water to make a smooth puree). You want to end up with a total of about 1 cup veggie puree.
The following video explains how to make the spinach & carrot purees (but, ExpertVillage makes you watch 10 seconds of advertising first….sorry! I can’t help that…)
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Mix in bowl:
- 1 cup spinach/carrot puree
- 1⁄2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4. Then mix in:
- 2 eggs
- 3⁄4 cup flour
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
5. Coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. (Alternately, coat a mini muffin pan)
6. Pour the batter into the pan and bake:
- about 30 minutes for standard brownie pan
- about 15 minutes for mini muffin pan
7. Cool completely before enjoying to remove all hints of veggie flavors.
I found these brownies to be surprisingly good, though with an adult palate they do taste like healthy brownies. My kids don’t know the difference, so I highly recommend this recipe! Do you have this book or know of other interesting ways to sneak in veggies?
