Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Testing Yeast Activity

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Testing Yeast Activity

Testing Yeast Activity

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup water, warm (not hot)
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) yeast, dry

Instructions

    1: Add the sugar and warm water to a 1-cup liquid measuring cup. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
    2: Sprinkle in 1 packet of yeast. (Stir it if you want to, but you don’t need to)
    3: In a few minutes the yeast will be activated and start to foam.
    4: After 10 minutes the foamy yeast should have a rounded top and reach the top of the cup or higher.
    5: If the yeast reaches the 1 cup mark it is active. If it did not, discard it.
    6: Use the activated yeast right away in a recipe. Make sure to deduct 1/2 cup of liquid from the recipe.

Notes

The warm water should be between 110 - 115 degrees.
One packet of yeast = .25 ounce = 7 g = 2 1/4 teaspoons.

© Karen Breyer

In this video, Karen Breyer will show you easy-to-follow steps to Test Yeast Activity to make sure your yeast is ready for baking. This is an important skill for making great bread and rolls. By the end of this video, you will know if your yeast is good to go for your baking adventure. Watch this video and find out if your yeast is active and ready for baking.

Flax or Chia Seed Egg Substitute

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Flax or Chia Seed Egg Substitute

Flax or Chia Seed Egg Substitute

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal or chia seeds
  • 3 tablespoons water, very warm

Instructions

    1: Whisk together the flaxseed meal or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of warm water.
    2: Allow to sit for 2 minutes and stir again. Let sit 2 - 3 more minutes or until the mixture is thickened.

Notes

This recipe makes one egg replacement to be used in baked goods. It acts as a binding agent in batters, quick breads, dough and more.

You can double this recipe as needed. Using more than 2 flax/chia eggs in a recipe may not give the results you would like (but experiment because it may turn out perfect!).

If you have whole flax seeds you can grind them in a coffee grinder to make flaxseed meal.




© Karen Breyer

Try Flax or Chia Seeds to make an easy Egg Substitute for your baked goods. This Egg Replacer acts as a binding agent in batters, quick breads, dough and more. Next time you don’t have eggs for a baked recipe, use either Chia Seeds or Flax meal to make a perfect egg replacement. Double the recipe as needed. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make a Flax or Chia Seed Egg Substitute. Watch this cooking video and try this easy Egg Substitute for your next baked recipe.

How to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash

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Want to learn how to peel and cut a butternut squash? In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash into cubes. Your butternut squash cubes will be ready for your favorite butternut squash recipe.

My favorite way to cook butternut squash is roasting. What is your favorite butternut squash recipe? Whatever it is, watch this cooking video and learn how to peel and cut a butternut squash so you can make that favorite recipe!

Yield: Varies

How to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash

Ingredients

  • A Whole Butternut Squash

Instructions

  1. : Rinse and pat dry a whole butternut squash.
  2. : Cut the stem and bottom ends do both ends are flat.
  3. : Cut the squash in half between the neck and the bulb.
  4. : With a regular and/or y-shaped vegetable peeler, peel away the skin. Also peel away any green streaks so you have only vibrant, orange flesh.
  5. : Cut the bulb side in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and stringy fiber.
  6. : To make 1 - inch cubes, cut each half in 1 inch slices. Then cut each slice lengthwise in 1 inch strips. (Adjust the cuts to make your desired size cubes).
  7. : Turn and cut across the strips so you have 1 inch cubes.

Notes

Butternut squash is a winter squash with a nutty, sweet flavor.

The y-shaped vegetable peeler makes it easier to peel on some of the more curvy areas. A regular, straight peeler is easier on other areas. Use what is easier for you.

Adjust your cuts to make any size butternut squash cubes you desire.

© Karen Breyer

 

Toasted Coconut

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Learn to Toast Coconut in a skillet on the stove and in the Oven, Microwave and Broiler! You can toast shredded coconut and flakes and chips in minutes. It is so easy! Toasted coconut adds a rich nutty flavor and crispy texture to your recipes. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Toasted Coconut with 4 easy methods. Watch this cooking video and toast some coconut today!

Yield: Varies

Toasted Coconut

Ingredients

  • Coconut, shredded or flakes (sweetened or unsweetened)

Instructions

  1. OVEN METHOD: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spread the coconut in a thin layer on a baking sheet. Place pan on the center rack in a 325 degree oven. Bake 5 -10 minutes or until the coconut is light golden brown. Stir a couple times during baking for even browning.
  2. SKILLET METHOD: Heat skillet to medium heat. Add coconut and heat for 3 -5 minutes or until nicely browned. Stir frequently.
  3. BROILER METHOD: Preheat the broiler. Spread the coconut in thin layer on a baking sheet. Broil 4 - 5 inches from the heat until golden brown (about 1 - 4 minutes). Watch the coconut carefully as it can burn very quickly.
  4. MICROWAVE METHOD: Spread the coconut in a thin layer on a microwave safe plate. Microwave in 30 - 60 second increments. Stir after each time. Continue cooking until the coconut is to your desired level of browning.

Notes

Toasted coconut adds a rich nutty flavor and crispy texture to your recipes.

Sweetened coconut takes less time to toast because sugar speeds up the toasting process.

Cool coconut slightly before using.

© Karen Breyer

 

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