Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Poached Eggs

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Poached Eggs

Poached Eggs

Ingredients

  • Fresh eggs

Instructions

    1: Heat at least 2 inches of water in a saucepan or deep skillet to a simmer. Do not put the eggs in boiling water or they will get tough and broken up by the agitation. If the water is not hot enough, the eggs will cook slowly and spread.
    2: Break each egg in a dish and slide it into the simmering water. They will hold their shape better if you slide it in against the edge of the pan.
    3: Simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until the whites are coagulated and the yolks are a soft as you like them.
    4: Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon.
    5: Drain well and serve.

Notes

Ideal poached eggs have a bright and shiny appearance. They will be compact and round, not spread and flattened. They have firm and tender whites with a warm liquid yolk.
When poaching eggs aim to keep the egg shape. You want the eggs to be in a round, compact mass as much as possible rather than spread out all over the pan. Fresh eggs maintain their shape best.
If eggs are not very fresh you can add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons distilled vinegar for each quart of water. The vinegar helps to coagulate the egg white faster. This helps the poached egg to have a better shape.
Vinegar is not needed when using fresh eggs. Leave it out whenever you can because it will cause the whites to be tougher and not as shiny.
Some cooks like to create a whirlpool in the water by stirring it quickly and then dropping the egg in. You can try this if you are poaching one egg at a time.
To improve the appearance trim off the ragged edges.
To hold for later, plunge the egg immediately into cold water to stop the cooking. Later reheat briefly in hot water and serve.

© Karen Breyer

Try these delicious Poached Eggs! This is a healthy cooking method and easy to make too. All you need is some simmering water and eggs. You can make lots of eggs at once or just a couple.

And eggs are not just for breakfast. I just had Poached Eggs on toast for dinner. They were so flavorful and creamy. I like them runny but my husband likes them firm. I just leave his in the simmering water longer. You can easily cook Poached Eggs to order. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make yummy Poached Eggs. Watch this cooking video and make some Poached Eggs today!

Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach

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Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach

Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach

Ingredients

  • 2 - 3 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 cups onion, chopped
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 6 cups water
  • 6 teaspoons chicken broth seasoning, instant (regular or vegan)
  • 2 15 ounce cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 14.5 ounce can tomatoes, diced
  • 10 ounce package spinach, chopped (frozen and thawed)
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon pepper, ground (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (or to taste)

Instructions

    1: Heat oil in a large saucepan.
    2: Add onions and garlic. Cook until onions are soft. Stir frequently.
    3: Add water, chicken broth seasoning, beans and tomatoes. Stir together.
    4: Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
    5: Stir in the spinach, salt and pepper. Heat through.
    6: Spoon into bowls. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

You can use 6 cups of chicken broth in place of the water and instant chicken broth seasoning. You can also adjust the instant chicken broth/seasoning to taste.
Use 2 cups fresh baby spinach in place of the frozen spinach.
You can easily double this recipe.
Don’t cook the spinach longer than needed to heat through or it will turn a dark color.
Use petite diced tomatoes for a more uniform size of ingredients if desired (it looks nice).

© Karen Breyer

Try this delicious Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach! It has all healthy ingredients and is easy to make. It is a very hearty, satisfying soup that everyone will love! Serve this Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach as a main dish or side dish. It In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach recipe. Watch this cooking video and make this tasty Garbanzo Bean Soup with Tomatoes and Spinach today!

Stacked Enchilada Bake

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Yield: 6 servings

Stacked Enchilada Bake

Stacked Enchilada Bake

Ingredients

  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 2 15.5 ounce cans chili beans, seasoned (3 1/2 cups)
  • 14 ounce can Mexican style tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups cheese sauce (vegan or regular)
  • 1/3 cup black olives, sliced (or as desired)
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

    1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish or 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
    2: Mash or briefly blend the tomatoes. Set aside.
    3: Tear or cut tortillas into bite-size pieces.
    4: Cover the bottom of the baking dish with half of the tortilla pieces.
    5: Cover the tortilla pieces with half of the beans. Repeat the layers of tortillas and beans.
    6: Pour 1 cup of the cheese sauce over the bean layer.
    7: Pour the canned tomatoes over the cheese layer.
    8: Dot the tomato layer with the remaining cheese sauce.
    9: Sprinkle with olives and onions.
    10: Bake uncovered 25 - 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. If desired top with sour cream, guacamole, salsa and/or fresh chopped tomatoes.

Notes

You can use seasoned black beans in place of the chili.
I prefer a 9 inch square baking dish as it has a bit more room.
The layers are tortillas, beans, tortillas, beans, cheese, tomatoes, cheese, olives and onions.

© Karen Breyer

Try this delicious, healthy, tummy satisfying Stacked Enchilada Bake recipe! This is an easy, fast enchilada recipe that tastes amazing! No more rolling up every tortilla. Stacking tortilla pieces is the key to make this recipe fast. If you love enchiladas, this Stacked Enchilada Bake could be your new favorite recipe. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Stacked Enchilada Bake recipe. Watch this cooking video and make this super delicious Stacked Enchilada Bake for dinner today!

Banana Nut Muffin Tops

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Yield: 12 Muffin Tops

Banana Nut Muffin Tops

Banana Nut Muffin Tops

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cup walnuts (divided)
  • 3/4 - 1 cup banana, ripe (mashed)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3/4 - 1 cup dates, chopped
  • 1/3 cup soy or regular milk (more if needed)
  • Baking spray

Instructions

    1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray cookie sheet or muffin top pans with baking spray.
    2: Add flour, baking powder, salt and 3/4 cup walnuts to a food processor. Process until the nuts are as fine as the flour (about 1 minute).
    3: Add the rest of the walnuts and process until they are coarsely chopped. Transfer to mixing bowl and set aside.
    4: Add mashed banana and honey to a 2 cup measuring cup. Add milk to make 1 1/2 cups total. Stir ingredients together.
    5: Add the banana mixture and dates to the flour mixture. Mix well.
    6: Scoop mounds (1/4 - 1/3 cup) of batter on the muffin pan or cookie sheet. Spread mounds into flat circles.
    7: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

I like Kosher salt but you can use any type.
I mash the bananas with a fork.
Riper bananas are sweeter.

© Karen Breyer

Try these delicious, Banana Nut Muffin Tops! This is an easy muffin recipe that is tasty and healthy. I predict they will happily satisfy your sweet tooth. These Banana Nut Muffin Tops are are crunchy on the outside and nice and moist on the inside. They are perfect for breakfast and as a snack or dessert. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Banana Nut Muffin Top recipe. Watch this cooking video and make these sweet, yummy Banana Nut Muffin Tops today!

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