Deceptively Delicious

I just got a fabulous new cookbook (for those of you who know my cookbook obsession, I've never seen an UNfabulous one!) and it's all about hiding vegetable purees in normal food. I have to admit that I was skeptical that you couldn't taste the spinach in the blueberry breakfast bar, but it's really true...YOU CAN'T!! The only problem with the cookbook is that it has caused the moral decay of our marriage!

Ok...it's not that bad, but Scott is so suggestible about his food that the mere thought of pureed coliflower in his lasagna makes him want to throw up!! So my solution? What he doesn't know won't hurt him...and like I said...you really can't taste it!! It would've worked just fine if I had remembered to PUT AWAY THE COOKBOOK!!

"Deceptively Delicious? What does that mean?"

"Huh? I don't know what you are talking about...here have some more lasagna..."

"You haven't made lasagna in years...is this a new recipe?"

"uh-huh" (Don't ask...don't ask...don't ask...)

"What's in it?"

(ahh, CRAP!!) "You know...the usual lasagna fixings...so...how was your day?"

"Are you sneaking something into my food? ARE YOU TRYING TO POISON ME?!?!"

"Yes...rat poison...now eat up!!"

"What did you hide in here?!?"

"Oh calm down!! There's pureed tomatoes" (that's half true anyway)

"Oh...that's all?"

"That's all I'm gonna tell you..."

(cue loud CLANK of the fork hitting the plate) "I'm not hungry!"

But seriously...I LOVE this cookbook...even if I'm only allowed to make things for Brody from it! Here's the latest, best recipe I've made:

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars (with spinach puree)

Preheat oven to 375 deg. and coat 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine:
2 c. oats,

1 1/4 c. flour,

1/2 c. sugar (I use splenda cause let's face it...Brody doesn't need the sugar!!),

1/2 t. cinnamon,

1/4 t. baking powder,

1/4 t. salt,

1 t. vanilla

Cut in 3/4 c. butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Press 1/2 oatmeal mixture into bottom of pan and bake til lightly browned (13-15 min.).

Meanwhile, mix 1 c. preserves (I used sugar free strawberry) with 1/2 c. spinach puree.

Spread preserves mixture over partially baked oat layer.

Sprinkle remaining 1/2 of oat mixture over the top.

Bake until slightly browned (20-25 min.) and set pan on rack to completely cool before cutting.

Have fun finding someone special to deceive today!! :)