It’s Purée Hell! Testing Jessica Seinfeld’s New Kiddie Cookbook
She’s got the beets: The mother of comedian Jerry’s three children channels June Cleaver in this primer to eating healthfully. But does it require a full kitchen staff?
The conceit of the new book Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food, by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of comedian Jerry), is that children are priggish eaters who, when left to their own devices, will eat only white or fried food. Trying to force-feed them nutrition leads to endless frustration. So the smart parent tricks them by puréeing the vegetables and hiding them in palatable, nonchallenging meals: lasagne, pancakes, meatloaf or chicken soup.
I describe the book as having a conceit because it’s a work of fiction. No one will actually follow the rigorous mixing and freezing and scheming Ms. Seinfeld prescribes. I’m equally repelled by and attracted to her program. Without apology, Deceptively Delicious fully indulges in that retrograde 1950’s version of domestic life where the woman controls everything and does all the work happily from the back seat, and so cunningly that the husband almost thinks he’s the one with all the ideas and the map, driving the car.
On the other hand, who doesn’t have fantasies about being that sort of wife—that is, when one is screaming at a baffled spouse: “Why do I feel like I should thank you right now? I do this every day and you don’t thank me!” Moreoever, I, like all privileged upper-middle-class Western world mothers, am a control freak who knows for sure I have failed if my 2-year-old, Woolfie, is not eating vegetables or whole grains in each of the eight small meals he’s supposed to be ingesting daily. I’m a perfect patsy for this book’s promises. I decide to give Deceptively Delicious a shot.
Day 1
Ms. Seinfeld on her puréeing process: “I have a standing date with my husband in the kitchen every Sunday night after the kids have gone to bed. We do a good catch-up while I purée the night away … and when I’m done I feel so virtuous.”
My husband is away on a business trip. After a hellish pilgrimage to Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza green market, wrestling unwieldy cauliflowers and kales into my NRDC tote, the last thing I want to do is purée the f*ckers! Still, I steam a massive bunch of iron-rich chard, then throw it in the Cuisinart, to hide in her ridiculous mac-and-cheese recipe. Ms. Seinfeld puts a box of store-bought Kraft on the counter to trick her children. Woolfie has been brought up without that crap ever entering the house, so is delightfully unfazed by his Tony Duquette-like pink-and-green dinner (the red chard stems dyed the whole-wheat macaroni). He takes a few mouthfuls.
Day 2
At dinner, Woolfie responds favorably to an avocado purée dip, an easy one, but I’m exhausted at the thought of prepping more purée, not to mention horrified at using environmentally unfriendly Ziploc bags, Ms. Seinfeld’s method, to freeze it. I noticed in a Vogue story covering one of the author’s children’s parties a photo of Julian Seinfeld, her middle boy, holding up a gigantic beet from her garden, tended organically by her gardener. Yet her book says nothing at all about eating organic or local vegetables. Is it not for the masses, Ms. S.?
Day 3
Yay! It’s Monday. Over to you, dear nanny. I ask her to make Woolfie Ms. Seinfeld’s meatloaf, which uses ground turkey and carrot purée, for lunch. She looks mildly annoyed. We substitute ground beef and the leftover chard. Woolfie won’t touch the green-flecked loaf.
I have to work late, and my husband, who unlike Mr. Seinfeld actually cooks, agrees to purée beets for pancakes tonight. We are mystified that the recipe calls for pancake mix, all the more so because Ms. Seinfeld apparently makes her own ketchup. Still, pink pancakes for dinner are a hit.
Day 4
My husband fashions whole-wheat pita pizzas for lunch, a recipe that suggests hiding a thin layer of puréed greens under store-bought tomato sauce and low-fat mozzarella. He reports that although the spinach doesn’t remain invisible, as the recipe claims, Woolfie eats almost an entire pita. Later, he announces that he hates Ms. Seinfeld, arousing me to almost honeymoonlike ardor.
Against the author’s advice, we meet at a restaurant for dinner, toddler in tow.
Day 5
For dinner, I decide it’s not cheating if I use a recipe from Deborah Madison’s just-out revision of the fantastic Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, because it’s a recipe that calls for puréed kale, barley and cave-aged Gruyere with an easy stovetop roux and milk or broth. It takes 30 minutes to steam the barley, but it seems like real food, rather than the Deceptively Delicious recipes (I mean, rolling puréed turkey and low-fat cheese into whole-wheat tortillas for Tortilla Cigars? She’s got to be kidding). But Woolfie refuses the fancy gratin.
Still, the experiment wasn’t a total failure: I have a freezer full of beet purée, and some leftover pink pancakes. I can’t wait to invite some of the closet-uptight other So-Slow (as I call South Park Slope) mothers over for these. “They’re healthy too!” I’ll gloat, as the kids gobble them down.
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Wow! Sounds like one of Jessica's Upper-East side friends wrote the above comment...who really believes Jessica Seinfeld is a "poor woman." And since when does calling someone a "b!tch" and teasing them for naming their kid Woolfie make your opinions valid?
Who can trust what this lady has to say? Considering her husband made the Forbes list over Oprah, do you really think she takes the time to cook for her children??? Was she just bored one day and decided to use her husband's wallet to whip out a book??? (which is completely unorginal btw) Log onto amazon.com and there's a book that is displayed right next to Jessica's, created by an actual chef who HAS experience!
Trust me - she has a full staff. I went on a date with her "private chef" who helped her put this together. He, incidentally, was a jerk - had a live in girlfriend of 3 years. Ugh.
This article just seems so catty. Jessica Sienfeld may be rich but she has some good ideas and I am looking forward to trying them myself.
I think the author of this article is so one-sided that she is going to fall over! Jessica Seinfeld does not claim to be poor and so what if she has a staff to help her. I sure wish I could afford one and you are a liar if you say you wouldn't want one too if you could afford it! Jessica Seinfeld has good ideas (even with help) and if her book helps parents, then that is great! Also, she runs a non-profit organization to help families. She is obviously using her money and time to help others.. What do you do? Grow up and stop being so snotty!!!!
I agree with the about comment from Taylor. Jessica Seinfeld has some good ideas. Looks like someone is finally using their celebrity (or name) for good. And maybe (probably), she has help; who wouldn't want help.? Even the writer of this article has a nanny.
Those children are young enough that their parents have total control over their food. When my 3 year old didn't eat spinach, I waited until he was hungrier and then fed him spinach. Now that he's 10, he eats whatever I cook. I don't like the idea of "tricking" my child into eating something. It seems to me that the only way to stop them from being picky is if they know what they eat.
There are SO many reasons not to lie to people about what's in their food it's not even funny. Besides religious considerations, some people have allergies and can get sick or die from certain foods. It's also just plain rude to deceive people. It's worse than bad manners to cheat and lie to people.
It also sends the message "vegetables are not good, and must be hidden, their flavor covered up or disguised."
Yes yes I know this is simply putting harmless pureed vegetables into your own kid's meals at home, but if you wouldn't do any of the above to a casual aquaintance having dinner at your home--WHY DO IT TO YOUR OWN CHILDREN??
Hey - who went on a date with her private chef and when?? I know the girlfriend!...if we're thinking of the same person.
anyhow, just more confirmation she's got all this staff and help that she lies about having...pretending she really cooks and takes care of her kids.
I have the Sneaky Chef book, which came out last year by a chef and it's great. There's so much about ms. seinfeld and this book that annoys me, but mostly it's that she's making these grand claims about herself and her expertise that are simply not true. it's not about her having a staff or not, we all know she does. it's about an innapropriate person preaching to us. maybe if she said - this is what a team of people came up with and I'm lucky enough to have a famous last name to get a book deal and now I'm sharing their thoughts and recipes with you that I endorse...but her nasty ego and everything is such a turnoff. she should really quit her obsession with trying to become famous and just try to be at home with her kids and be a good mom.
Jessica finds joy in all this because she has live in help. Someone to clean up after her, someone to answer her phone, someone to food shop for her and so on. Her husband is filthy rich. I am sure she is a good mom. I am not saying she is not. I just hate it when these mega rich women try to act like normal suburban moms.
Can we all cut each other some slack here? It IS hard to get kids to eat veggies because they have so many more taste buds than adults. Veggies really do taste yucky to kids. Mrs. Seinfeld isn't trying to 'preach' to anyone; she is trying to help parents create a happy and calm family dinner table, and get some good nutrition into kids in spite of their taste buds. I see nothing wrong with that, whether she has help or not. I don't see her trying to come off as 'SuperMom'.
Let's face it the author of this article is extremely high strung. And Woolfie is a terrible name. That poor kid. I hope she's using a fake name for her article.
I saw Jessica Seinfeld on Oprah and thought it was a novel idea. My kid eats vegetables but it can't hurt to sneak a few extra in once in a while. Perhaps instead of bickering about who's way is the right way, we could acknowledge that we all care about what our children eat. This is the country with one of the highest childhood obesity rates after all. So why not celebrate diets that add vegetables instead of fat?
I would like to think the writer of this article is just being sarcastic. It's a shame when women put each other down no matter the reason. Since I'm a terrible cook I could never spend the time to make the recipes in her book but I don't begrudge her anything. I too saw parts of Oprah and she is very likable, with or without all the $$$ and celebrity.
People who are vegetarian because of religious beliefs do not seem to have a problem getting their kids to eat vegetables. It could be because they have to be innovative and creative each time, using herbs and spices. They do not have an option!
Rose Anon has a great point - butternut squash makes me swell up and break out in hives; the thought of eating something and not knowing what's in it is scary for anyone with food allergies. Even "natural" things can be bad for some people (peanuts are natural, and can kill allergic people!).
Wow, talk about class envy! It is sad to hear that someone could only enjoy making an extra effort for their children if they have someone to shop and clean up for them.
She has a good idea..I have used pureed vegetables in spaghetti sauce and it worked.
And Vinita the Vegetarian, my aren't we smug?
By the way, UPPITY is spelled with an "i".
The article was caustic enough, some of the comments are beyond the pale.
One thing that she said on Oprah that made me know that she does cook is that after a long day of work it feels bad for your kids to say the food you cooked it horrible. I think many moms know that feeling, and if she didn't cook she wouldn't be able to identify with that feeling.
I have a cleaning lady, but I still know how to clean. I also have special methods and tools I use to clean even if I don't clean everyday. Just because she has staff doesn't mean she never does it herself.
She also made the point that she puts the whole veggie on the plate, so the kids will grow up to eat veggies.
I am happy she had the concern for other mothers to put together this book because let's face it, she doesn't need the money or the recognition. She could be home getting a manicure and a massage instead of taking the time to put together a book or the recipes for that matter.
Ms. Purves,
I am totally willing to go to the trouble and extra work to ensure my kids eat healthier, and I will be doing all the work MYSELF. No nanny here, just me. Her idea of setting aside time each week to make all the purees at once makes it easy to just throw them in to the recipes each night.
And for the people who say it isn't right to trick your kids into eating something they don't know about...come on! Are you kidding me? If they're your kids, you would hopefully know what their allergies are. If you're having dinner guests, you would either leave out the purees, or let the other parents know about it.
Yes, Mrs. Seinfeld probably wouldn't have published this book if not for her famous husband, but the recipes sound great, and some of the proceeds benefit charity so why doesn't everyone just quit complaining and give it a fair shake.
"I am gonna try it (not verified) says:
One thing that she said on Oprah that made me know that she does cook is that after a long day of work it feels bad for your kids to say the food you cooked it horrible. I think many moms know that feeling, and if she didn't cook she wouldn't be able to identify with that feeling."
I just can't believe people believe what she was told to say! Just because she says it's tiring and disappointing after a long day's work to have your kids complain about dinner does NOT mean that she relates or know what that really feels like. Believe me, she doesn't work, doesn't cook, and it's disheartening that she's trying to get working or non-working (but non-milliionares) moms to look up to her.
I find her completely unlikable and fake. The ideas of sneaking food in is great - but again, not even her idea. Good to get people talking about how to get kids to eat healther - but unfortunate that she wants to be a celeb and take credit for a lifestyle, ideas and otherwise that aren't even hers. I would admire her alot more if she were honest about her lifestyle and stop lying to get women to think they can relate.
Just stick with The Sneaky Chef book, it's better anyhow and you're not being deceived by a ghost writer, team of publicists, etc.
"I am gonna try it (not verified) says:
One thing that she said on Oprah that made me know that she does cook is that after a long day of work it feels bad for your kids to say the food you cooked it horrible. I think many moms know that feeling, and if she didn't cook she wouldn't be able to identify with that feeling."
I just can't believe people believe what she was told to say! Just because she says it's tiring and disappointing after a long day's work to have your kids complain about dinner does NOT mean that she relates or know what that really feels like. Believe me, she doesn't work, doesn't cook, and it's disheartening that she's trying to get working or non-working (but non-milliionares) moms to look up to her.
I find her completely unlikable and fake. The ideas of sneaking food in is great - but again, not even her idea. Good to get people talking about how to get kids to eat healther - but unfortunate that she wants to be a celeb and take credit for a lifestyle, ideas and otherwise that aren't even hers. I would admire her alot more if she were honest about her lifestyle and stop lying to get women to think they can relate.
Just stick with The Sneaky Chef book, it's better anyhow and you're not being deceived by a ghost writer, team of publicists, etc.
I watched the Oprah Show today, and it seemed to me that she had
really good ideas. In addition, Jessica explained that she still offers normal veggies to her kids, but to ensure that they will get the nutrients they need, she also sneaks them into the food.
One of my children has food allergies, and I believe in personal accountability in that regard. If you or your children have food allergies, YOU should be the one that asks your host what the food contains. I think this is an overall sound idea.
I just can't believe people believe what she was told to say! Just because she SAYS it's tiring and disappointing after a long day's work to have your kids complain about dinner does NOT mean that she relates or know what that really feels like. Believe me, she doesn't work, doesn't cook, and it's disheartening that she's trying to get working or non-working (but non-milliionares) moms to look up to her.
I find her completely unlikable and fake. The ideas of sneaking food in is great - but again, not even her idea. Good to get people talking about how to get kids to eat healther - but unfortunate that she wants to be a celeb and take credit for a lifestyle, ideas and otherwise that aren't even hers. I would admire her alot more if she were honest about her lifestyle and stop lying to get women to think they can relate.
Just stick with The Sneaky Chef book, it's better anyhow and you're not being deceived by a ghost writer, team of publicists, etc.
It's a shame there are so many vindictive and petty people out there who are quick to criticize a women because of her financial status. Frankly, it should be less important whether or not she has a staff of people out there as to the idea that every year more and more children are becoming obese and will be faced with a multitude of health problems as they become adults unless parents stand up and start paying attention to what is going in your childrens' mouths. I relize we're all busy, but ask yourself - how important is the idea of your 6 year old growing up healthy and happy instead of a 300 lb 40 year old man that may not live to 50!!
I get if you don't like Jessica Seinfeld - then don't buy the friggin' book. Nobody's holding a gun to your head.
I just can't believe people believe what she was told to say! Just because she SAYS it's tiring and disappointing after a long day's work to have your kids complain about dinner does NOT mean that she relates or know what that real
Wowzer, what a judgemental lot you are! True she might be a totaly snob. But she might be the nicest, kindest person around. WE DON'T KNOW HER. Take a step back folks and relax.
Honestly, who cares if she has a staff? I'm sure she still loves her children as much as all of you love yours. It's amusing how the author condems this woman before even giving her a chance. Slamming her for using Kraft (horrors we can't all afford Annie's Organic or the luxury of making homemade mac & cheese!) and yet belly aches about having to actually take the time to make purees AND then has her NANNY make food for her son. I see this book as offering OPTIONS to a generation of parents who are much more overworked than previous generations. It's simply not realistic to say "Well i just did such and such and my kid is fine." We all know EVERY child is different. As are all families. I am a working mom who lives in the Bay Area and I am the main provider for my family. My husband works for a non profit. (yay) I work for an ad agency (boo!) He's vegetarian. I'm not. My little boy's name is (believe it or not) Wolfie (one "o". Short for Wolfgang. Care to insult him too?). My point is that I have a lot in common with most of you and yet we ALL RAISE OUR KIDS differently. As women in particular isn't it time we give each other a little benefit of the doubt?? I'd like to think this book was written by a woman who found something that worked for her family and had the resources to share it with others. We might not want to follow her ideas, we might not like her recipes. But do we have to immediately start pointing fingers? Just because she's rich you REALLY think she doesn't adore her kids? What a bitter person you must be. Being judgemental is far worse than "sneaking food" into kid's meals.
I don't doubt that she loves her kids. and I don't care if she has a chef and nannies. (which she does) But she's running around claiming something different, like she's really a homemaker or she makes dinner after a long day's "work." I'd take advice from her nannies and chef that really made those purees when her kids were babies. They had some good ideas. But buying the book isn't necessary and I just hope people don't take her too seriously. she's using her husband's name not to bring some goodness to the public, but to bring some notoriety to her own name. what else do non-celeb wives of celebs do but to "write" books to get some attention of their own? I'm with the others that think people should stick to Sneaky Chef book. and I also think that being a liar is also worse than being a little judgemental.
I do know Jessica Seinfeld and she is a fake. She started dating Jerry two days after she came back from her honeymoon with another (wealthy) man. And she's been trying to spin a "nice" persona for herself ever since. She'd sell her mother down the river.
Her book, as mentioned, is not original. In fact, "The Sneaky Chef" is more nutritionally balanced. So, if you care about your kids, try that book instead.
Meanwhile, Jerry shouldn't get off scott free either. He delights at getting away with being a pig and having America love him.
That said, their kids are adorable--at least the boys are. The girl is a brat and gives Jessica a run for the money.
Why is it women have to be so catty???? It sounds like a great idea and I have actually tried puree in tomato sauce and served it to my kids and they love it. Some recipes will work for your kids and some won't. Mothers should support mothers...it is a tough enough job without all the bitching and nit picking.
My My...jealousy is rampant here. Whenever I did good and others made judgemental comments, my Mother would say, "It's just sour grapes." Being 75 and a Mother of 5 with memories of struggling with trying to please the family at the table, I applaude Jessica with her contribution....love it and now plan to use it for me, as veggies are not my long suit. I grew up in the carbo era as Dr. Oz says.