Spinach Applesauce Muffins

Before I had my children, I imagined raising offspring that would be able to tell the difference between curry and garam marsala. They would beg for unusual ethnic food, request truffle oil on their mac and cheese, toasted edamame and Sriracha added to their broccoli. They would enjoy a variety of flavors, textures, and colors of the wonderful world of food. I adore food and I hoped my children would as well.

Early on, I read Jessica Seinfeld's book Deceptively Delicious. At the time, I scoffed. I wouldn't need to sneak vegetables on my children's unsuspecting palates. They would clamor for vegetables. For their birthdays, no less.

As my mom says, raising children is always a good opportunity to cultivate humility. Turns out my son does love food, but only certain kinds at certain times under certain conditions. And that's iffy at best. I'm okay with it.

Today, I enjoy trying to prepare new foods with creativity, keeping in mind the cutie pies who will hopefully enjoy the meal. We always eat at least one vegetable or fruit with our meal. This is a delicious snack with a little extra nutrient kick. (I'm so sorry I ever scoffed, Jessica Seinfeld!). Somehow cupcake-shaped foods are usually a hit in our household no matter the color. My kids really do love these cupcakes and think the green color is fun. I accidentally added too many chocolate chips to this batch. No one complained.

Spinach Applesauce Muffins

About 1/2-3/4 C frozen (preferably organic) chopped spinach
3/4C unsweetened applesauce (if using sweetened, cut back on sugar)
1 C Unbleached white flour
1 C White brown flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 - 3/4 C sugar to taste (lessen amount if using sweetened apple sauce)
sprinkle of salt
1/4 C of milk
2 eggs
a generous handful of chocolate chips (to taste)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. prepare cupcake tin with liners or spray oil. Makes approximately 14 muffins.

Add applesauce and spinach to a microwavable bowl with measurements (can also use measure and put on stovetop on low). Combined, the spinach and applesauce should equal about 8 oz. The more spinach you use, the more "green" the muffin will taste. More applesauce will taste more traditional. Microwave spinach mixed in applesauce until spinach is tender. Use immersion blender (I love this one my mom bought me for Christmas one year. The attachments make it so easy to whip up, blend, chop without much mess or hassle. Plus dishwasher safe!) or blender to make spinach uniformly blended with applesauce. The mixture should be quite green.

Mix dry ingredients then add to spinach-applesause mixture. Add milk and eggs and mix. Add chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

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