Don't Hide Vegetables From Your Kids, Just Cook Them Well! Here's My Secret! Cooking Tips

I hear lots of parents asking for recipes to "hide" vegetables in their kids' food. As a mom of an erratic 3-year-old eater, I understand. But something about it doesn't sit right with me as a chef – I want her to learn to love to eat a rainbow of veggies. So, when veggies are just cooked well and happen to be hard to see, I call it a win-win. And, as always, I'm looking to use up everything I buy and reduce my household food waste! So, here’s my tip:

Save broccoli stems and shred them in the food processor. Shred a carrot (no need to peel) and a zucchini, too. Add this rainbow of veggies into your favorite meatloaf or meatball recipe. They'll cook up so tender and translucent that kids can't tell they're in there and adults will be asking how you packed so much juiciness and flavor in there! (Seen here, my famous turkey meatloaf with tomato BBQ glaze and shredded carrots, broccoli stems and yellow squash.)