Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Strawberry Sauce

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This easy strawberry sauce is naturally sweet with no sugar added and comes together quickly with simple ingredients. It’s perfect for everyday meals and works well on pancakes, waffles, French toast, or peanut butter toast.

Yield: 6 servings

Strawberry Sauce

Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

  • 5-6 cups strawberries, sliced, halved, or whole (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 (12-ounce) can apple juice concentrate
  • 1½ cups water, divided
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch

Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan, combine the strawberries, apple juice concentrate, and 1 cup of the water. Stir to mix.
    2. Place the pan over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
    3. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    4. While the mixture is simmering, mix the cornstarch with the remaining ½ cup of water in a small bowl or cup until dissolved.
    5. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
    6. Stir the cornstarch mixture again to make sure it is smooth, then slowly pour it into the strawberry mixture, stirring constantly.
    7. Return the pan to the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
    8. Reduce the heat and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
    9. Serve the strawberry sauce warm or chilled.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, mash some of the strawberries or blend part of the mixture using an immersion blender.
  • Try this Strawberry Sauce over toast with peanut butter for a quick and easy breakfast, lunch, or snack.
  • It’s also great on pancakes, French toast, waffles, and more.
  • Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

© 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

Blueberry Chia Jam

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Blueberry Chia Jam

Blueberry Chia Jam

Ingredients

  • 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Instructions

    1: Add the blueberries and honey to a saucepan over medium heat.
    2: Cook, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries start to break down and release their juices (about 5 - 10 minutes).
    3: Mash the blueberries with a fork or potato masher to your desired consistency.
    4: Stir in the chia seeds. Reduce the heat to low and cook another 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
    5: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the jam cool for a few minutes.
    6: Taste the jam and add more honey if desired.
    7: Transfer the jam to a clean glass jar or container and let it cool completely. Once cooled, cover the jar and refrigerate for 1 - 2 hours to allow the chia seeds to absorb the mixture and fully thicken the jam.

Notes

Use the Blueberry Chia Jam as a spread for toast, bread, pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, peanut butter sandwiches, or desserts.
Make 2 - 2 1/2 cups of jam.

Make a delicious, healthy Blueberry Chia Jam recipe with three simple ingredients! In this cooking video, Karen Breyer will show you how to make Blueberry Chia Jam with blueberries, honey, and chia seeds. This easy recipe is perfect for spreading on toast or bread, adding to peanut butter sandwiches, mixing into yogurt, or adding a sweet touch to your favorite snacks. Not only is this jam quick to prepare, but it’s also free from preservatives and refined sugars, making it a wholesome addition to your diet. Watch this cooking video and learn how to create this tasty, nutritious Blueberry Chia Jam at home in no time!

Strawberry Shortcake

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Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2/3 cup soy or almond milk
  • For the Topping:
  • 4 cups strawberries, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
  • 2 cups whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

    1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or spray it with cooking spray.
    2: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
    3: Melt the coconut oil in the microwave (about 30 seconds) or on the stove.
    4: Whisk together the warm coconut oil, honey, and vanilla until completely emulsified.
    5: Stir in the milk.
    6: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined. Be careful not to overmix.
    7: Drop the dough by large spoonfuls onto the baking sheet, forming into 8 equal portions.
    8: Bake for 17 - 20 minutes or until they are lightly golden brown.
    9: Toss the strawberries with honey while the shortcakes are baking.
    10: Top the shortcakes with strawberries (and whipped cream if desired) to serve.

Notes

The shortcakes are best eaten the day they are baked.
You can also split the shortcakes horizontally, place the bottom half on the plate, top with a spoonful of strawberries, add a dollop of whipped cream, and place the top half of the shortcake over the filling, serving immediately.

© Karen Breyer

Make a classic, delicious Strawberry Shortcake recipe with healthy ingredients! In this video, Karen Breyer will show you how to make fluffy, golden shortcakes with wholesome ingredients, topped with juicy strawberries and a dollop of fluffy whipped cream. This delicious dessert combines fresh flavors with a lighter touch, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a nutritious way. This recipe will surely become a family favorite. Watch this cooking video and make this delicious, healthy Strawberry Shortcake recipe today!

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