Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Spiced Winter Squash Pilaf with Raisins

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Spiced Winter Squash Pilaf with Raisins is a warm, comforting dish that highlights the natural sweetness of winter squash paired with gentle spices and tender raisins. Cooked together with brown rice, this pilaf has a cozy, well-balanced flavor that works beautifully as a side dish or a light main.

Everything is prepared in the rice cooker, making it an easy, mostly hands-off recipe. It’s a flexible dish that can be adapted to the squash or vegetables you have on hand, and it pairs especially well with lentils or hearty bean dishes.

Below you’ll find the full recipe and a step-by-step video showing how to make it.

Spiced Winter Squash Pilaf with Raisins (Rice Cooker)

Spiced Winter Squash Pilaf with Raisins (Rice Cooker)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 2½ cups water
  • 3 cups diced winter squash (1/2 inch cubes)
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1–2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼–½ cup raisins

Instructions

    1. Add all ingredients to the rice cooker and stir gently to mix.
    2. Cover and cook on the Brown Rice setting until the rice cooker completes its cycle.
    3. When the cooker switches to Warm, let it rest for about 20 minutes with the lid closed to finish steaming.
    4. Fluff the pilaf gently with a fork, taste, and add more salt, pepper, or spices if desired.
    5. Serve warm as a side dish.

Notes

  • Trombocino, butternut, acorn, delicata, and kabocha squashes all work well in this recipe.
  • Trombocino and delicata have tender, edible skins and do not need to be peeled. Butternut, acorn, and kabocha should be peeled before dicing.
  • For extra color and flavor, you may add up to 1 cup diced vegetables such as carrots, peas, or bell peppers.
  • Serve with lentil patties or a hearty bean dish for a complete meal.

© Karen Breyer

Flax Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine

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This Flax Whole Wheat Bread is soft, tender, and lightly sweet. It’s a great everyday loaf if you enjoy whole wheat bread that isn’t heavy or dense. It’s made entirely in a bread machine, making it an easy, hands-off option for home bakers who want reliable results without a lot of effort.

The recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients and works well in a standard bread machine. Just add the ingredients, select the whole wheat setting, and let the machine do the work. This bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm with a little butter. If you’d like to see the process step by step, you can watch the video below.

Flax Whole Wheat Bread

Flax Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients

  • 1¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (olive, vegetable, or grapeseed)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons whole flax seeds
  • 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant dry yeast

Instructions

    1. Add the ingredients to the bread machine pan in the order listed, starting with the liquids and ending with the yeast.
    2. Select the whole wheat setting on your bread machine and, if available, a setting for a 1.5-pound loaf.
    3. Allow the bread machine to complete the cycle, including the rising and baking stages.
    4. After baking, lift the bread pan out of the machine. Remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

I used Kosher salt.
If you don’t have a thermometer, warm water should feel comfortably
warm to the touch, not hot.
Bread machine yeast or active dry yeast may also be used.

© Karen Breyer

Easy Creamy Garlic Potato Soup

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This easy creamy garlic potato soup is simple, comforting, and made with easy-to-find ingredients. It’s a smooth, cozy soup that’s perfect for a quiet dinner at home or anytime you want something warm and satisfying without a lot of fuss.

This recipe is budget-friendly and made using instant potato flakes to keep things simple. It’s a great option for beginner cooks or anyone who enjoys easy, homemade meals with rich flavor and minimal prep.

Below you’ll find the full recipe, along with a step-by-step video showing exactly how I make it. The video includes helpful tips and visual cues to make sure your soup turns out creamy and flavorful every time.

If you’re looking for a comforting soup that’s easy to customize, this one is a favorite.

Easy Creamy Garlic Potato Soup

Creamy garlic potato soup in a bowl

Ingredients

  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1½ cups plain instant potato flakes
  • 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (use vegan butter if preferred)
  • 2–3 tablespoons dried chives (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

    1. In a medium saucepan, combine the vegetable broth, water, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a low simmer.
    2. Slowly whisk in the instant potato flakes, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
    3. Once the mixture is hot and smooth, stir in the milk and butter.
    4. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, whisking occasionally to keep the texture creamy.
    5. Stir in dried chives and adjust seasoning to taste. Add more milk if the soup is too thick.
    6. Continue cooking until heated through. Serve.

Notes

This soup works well as a main dish or a side.
Pair it with bread, salad, or a sandwich for a complete meal.
For a richer soup, stir in a little extra butter or milk.
You can easily double the recipe to serve more.
Leftovers reheat well and make a great quick meal.

© Karen Breyer

Cranberry Fruit Relish

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This easy cranberry fruit relish is fresh, bright, and naturally sweet — with no cooking required.

It comes together quickly in a food processor and tastes even better after chilling, making it a great make-ahead recipe. While it’s often served during the holidays, this cranberry fruit relish is delicious year-round alongside everyday meals.

Cranberry Fruit Relish

Cranberry Fruit Relish

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
  • 5 medium sweet apples (4–5 cups chopped)
  • 2 oranges, peeled
  • ¼ whole orange rind (grated or finely chopped)
  • ¼ cup orange juice concentrate
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ⅛ teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

    1. Chop the cranberries in a food processor or strong blender, then transfer them to a large bowl.
    2. Chop the apples in a food processor and add them to the bowl.
    3. Chop the peeled oranges in a food processor and add them to the bowl.
    4. Finely chop or grate the orange rind and add it to the bowl.
    5. Add the orange juice concentrate, honey, and salt.
    6. Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
    7. Chill for at least 2 hours to blend the flavors.

Notes

Sweet apple varieties such as Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work well for the best texture and flavor.
Leave the peel on the apples for color and flavor.
Store the cranberry fruit relish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

© Karen Breyer

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