Q&A with Jessica Seinfeld

Some recipes feature the undetectable-to-the-palate fruit and vegetable purees that made her debut, “Deceptively Delicious,” both famous and infamous, when another cookbook author claimed she had the puree idea before Seinfeld.

Unruffled by the “vegetable plagiarism” controversy her husband, Jerry, joked about on the “Late Show with David Letterman” a few years ago, Seinfeld rolled up her sleeves and got back in the kitchen testing recipes for her follow-up.

The AJC spoke with her about cooking for families and the new book. Local culinary sweetheart Jenny Levison of Souper Jenny will be interviewing Seinfeld following her talk at the Book Festival of the MJCCA on Wednesday.

Q: Were you at all gun-shy about writing another cookbook after the flap you went through with “Deceptively Delicious?"

A: Absolutely not! I started working on this book almost immediately. There was the lawsuit, of course, but I knew how that would end – it was dismissed twice. I just kept focusing on mealtime solutions that will work. And that is what I will continue to do. In fact, I'd say I am more invigorated and focused than ever.

Q: Has being a bestselling cookbook author changed the dinner-table warfare at your house, or do you still hear protests like “this looks gross?"

A: Kids are kids. Mine don't know how many cookbooks I've sold and if I told them, they would roll their eyes! They still won't eat spinach and would love to eat dessert before dinner. But these days, I do have less concern about their diets because they've come so far over the past couple of years. They now love to eat salads and vegetables they used to always refuse, such as broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, peas, string beans and cauliflower. I am so excited about our progress that I make sure we fight about things other than food at mealtime. Just kidding.

Q: What do you think are the biggest mistakes parents make at mealtimes?

A: We all make mistakes at mealtime. Here are the ones I think are the most basic: Making separate meals for kids and adults; parents not modeling healthful eating practices; and relying on packaged, convenience foods that are meant to be eaten as emergency solutions, not as part of a lifestyle.

Q: Your husband loves when you cook (fill in the blank)?

A: Italian food, especially chicken parm.

Q: Do you have any professional cooking training?

A: I am not professionally trained but I have taken many, many cooking courses, lessons and classes over the years in groups and one-one-one, taught by professional chefs. I also worked in restaurants all through college to support myself. But I'd say more important than that is the experience of cooking since I was a young girl. I helped my mother get dinner on the table while she commuted home from work. She taught me how to read recipes by writing me notes on how to prepare dinner for my sisters and father. I cooked for myself all through college and then after college, as I embarked on my career. When I met Jerry, I continued to cook for him, much to his surprise. And it continues to this day after more than 12 years and three kids together.

Q: When you’re not eating healthy, what are your top choices for indulgence?

A: Dark chocolate, Haagen-Dazs chocolate-covered ice cream bars, Bit-O-Honey and salt and vinegar chips.

Jessica Seinfeld book talk, signing and interview with Jenny Levison of Souper Jenny!

7:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. $11 -- $16. www.atlantajcc.org.