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What's the secret?  Chef Missy fills us in

Author of "The Sneaky Chef" tells us great 'green' recipes your kids will love

NBC VIDEO
Chef sneaks in the veggies
April 2: Missy Chase Lapine shows TODAY yummy and healthy recipes that you and your kids will enjoy.

Today Show Kitchen

  Recipes from TODAY
Find the recipes featured on Today
TODAY
updated 4:09 p.m. ET April 2, 2007

It's no secret — kids hate the green stuff, especially if it tastes like broccoli or spinach. So TODAY invited Missy Chase Lapine, author of “The Sneaky Chef,” to talk tips and treats. She also shared one of her “healthy” recipes, which are designed to fool even the smallest food critics. Try them for your children:


Sneaky Baked Ziti
"The Sneaky Chef" by Missy Chase Lapine

Serves 8 to 10

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ziti or rigatoni noodles (whole wheat preferred)
1 cup firm tofu, mashed well or pureed in a food processor (1/2 of a 14 ounce block)
2 1/2 cups store-bought tomato sauce
1/2 cup Orange Puree (See recipe below)
1/2 cup White Puree (See recipe below)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 13-by-9 glass baking dish with oil.

Cook pasta according to package directions or until slightly firm. Drain and place in the prepared baking dish. Before continuing with the baked ziti begin making the Orange and White Puree.

Mix tofu, tomato sauce, White and Orange Purees in a bowl. Toss pasta with the sauce mixture and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top the pasta with a combination of the parmesan and the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, sprinkling evenly over the top.

Cover ziti with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover. Bake another 10 to 15 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.

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