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The Ridgewood mom's newly released "Always Add Love, Real Food for Picky Kids" is an extension of her blog, AlwaysAdd Love which she began when her twins were young (they are now in fourth grade; she also has a sixth grader). Groehnert said she started typing recipes as a way to safeguard the legacy of her grandmother who has passed away a few years earlier.
"Coming from a long line of great cooks, I wanted to preserve all the family recipes I could," she said.
But as her kids grew, so did their opinions on what they would and defiantly not eat. "As I told moms about the blog, I found that picky eaters were a common struggle, so my first book addresses both documenting family meals and getting kids to eat them," she said.
The book is designed to be easy to follow and ideal for the beginner cook. Recipes include quick meals made from the standard fare most households have in their fridge any given day, i.e. ground beef, pasta, eggs, fresh fruits, corn, beans and carrots. There are also chapters specifically devoted to fruit and vegetable recipes for the pickiest of kids including fruit shakes.
Some of the favorites at her house include ginger broccoli, German potatoes, fruit cup, chicken Marsala over pasta and Mexican night. Groehnert, who grew up in Mahwah, said her kids are also big on Frangelica chocolate chip cookies which they bake all the time.
Groehnert, who grew up in Ramsey stressed that the book is more than recipes. Readers will also find tips, tricks, strategies and stories.
The book's launch party, open to the public, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature white wine, Prosecco and cheese along with homemade holiday cookies. Groehnert will be on hand for book signings.
Bookends is at 211 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, (201) 445-0726, www.book-ends.com/.
And stay tuned: Groehnert is currently working on a second book featuring a collection of favorite holiday recipes.
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