Hidden Vegetables in Pasta Sauce

As a dietitian I am not immune to having a picky eater. Out of 3 children my middle one has a very limited palate. Most items he turns up his nose and yes, hotdogs and mac and cheese are his all time favorites. The struggle to add vegetables to his diet is real! And I finally am resorting to hidding them in his meals. Yes, I like so many women who have their first child who was given all types of homemade baby food, and grew up on mostly whole foods swore up and down that Number 2 would grow out of it. Well, we are at year three and he has yet to grow out of it. So rather than make meal times a nightmare I am hiding vegetables in his favorite foods.I will hide the vegetables in pasta sauce! Adding a little carrot instead of sugar or honey cuts down on the acidity of the sauce naturally. The biggest win is he will never know.

2 tbsp olive oil
2 stalks celery, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic , minced
1 zucchini, diced
2 14 oz cans tomatoes
1 cup lentils
2 cups vegetable stock
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp oregano

Place vegetables except tomatoes in a blender. In a saucepan saute vegetable paste in olive oil. Cook for 2 minutes. Next add tomatoes, stock, herbs and lentils Simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over pasta.