Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Date Paste

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Looking for healthy, natural sweeteners that taste amazing? Try this tasty, sweet Date Paste recipe! It is so easy to make and only 3 ingredients! Use date paste as a substitute for unhealthy sweeteners in your recipes, smoothies, oatmeal and more!

In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Date Paste. You can make a batch (or 2 or 3) and keep leftovers in the fridge to use anytime. Watch this cooking video and make some healthy, tasty, sweet date paste today!

Yield: About 1 1/4 cups

Date Paste

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dates, pitted
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Place the dates in a bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight (or until soft) in the refrigerator.
  2. Drain soaking liquid and reserve.
  3. Add the dates and vanilla to a strong blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add the soaking liquid as needed to make a smooth paste.
  4. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Date paste can often be used in place of sugar or other sweeteners in cooking and baking. Try date paste to sweeten your smoothies, oatmeal and homemade salad dressings.

Date paste can be frozen for several months. It stays a bit soft in the freezer so you can scoop out just the amount you need.

You can add other seasoning such as nutmeg, cinnamon or a bit of Kosher or sea salt.

© Karen Breyer

 

Apple Almond Cheese Balls

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Looking for a healthy cheese ball recipe? Try these Tasty Apple Almond Cheese Balls! This recipe is easy to make and very easy to eat! Everyone will love them! In this cooking video Karen Breyer and her dad will show you step-by-step how to make delicious Apple Almond Cheese Balls!

These Apple Almond Cheese Balls are a perfect appetizer, side dish, lunchbox treat or anytime snack. Serve a new tasty recipe to your family and guests at your next party! Watch this cooking video and make some yummy Apple Almond Cheese Balls today!

Apple Almond Cheese Balls

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dried apples, chopped
  • 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons coconut, flaked
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Mix the apples, almonds and coconut together in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Add the cream cheese and mix well.
  3. Form the cheese mixture into balls (makes about 24).
  4. Serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

You can use raw or toasted almonds.

You can use low-fat cream cheese or vegan cream cheese if you prefer.

Soften the cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing.

You can make this recipe in a food processor. Add the dried apples, almonds and coconut. Process until the almonds and apples are chopped or finely ground (whichever you prefer). Add the cream cheese and process until the mixture is well combined. Shape into balls and serve.

© Karen Breyer

 

Basil Pesto

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Try this fresh, flavorful easy Basil Pesto sauce recipe! It’s a tasty sauce for your pasta, pizza, bread, and sandwiches. Store some in your fridge and enjoy it anytime!

In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this easy, Basil Pesto recipe! This homemade pesto sauce recipe will be perfect for your next Italian pasta dinner! Watch this cooking video and make some easy, healthy, tasty Basil Pesto sauce today!

Yield: about 1 cup

Basil Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Add the nuts and basil to a food processor or blender. Pulse the ingredients together until mixed.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend to a smooth paste.
  3. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Toss Basil Pesto with pasta, spread it on a sandwich, crackers or toast, dollop over potatoes, or spread it on a pizza crust and make pizza!

Notes

You can use 4 garlic cloves in place of the minced garlic or to your taste.

Store this Basil Pesto in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. Freeze for up to 3 months.

© Karen Breyer

 

Vegan Instant Chicken Broth/Seasoning

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Make this convenient Vegan Instant Chicken Broth Seasoning to use in your recipes or simply enjoy it as a hot cup of vegan chicken broth. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this delicious, homemade Vegan Instant Chicken Broth Seasoning.

I often use a store bought Vegetarian Chicken Broth Seasoning (like McKay’s Chicken Style Instant Broth & Seasoning) in my recipes instead of real liquid chicken broth. I like it because it is healthy and I can easily adjust the amount of chicken seasoning in my recipes without diluting it with more liquid.

If you can’t find a healthy, store bought Instant Chicken Broth Seasoning like the one I use in my cooking videos, try this easy recipe. Keep it on hand for all your recipes that call for liquid or instant Chicken Broth Seasoning. Watch this cooking video and try this easy, homemade Vegan Instant Chicken Broth Seasoning today!

Yield: 90 servings

Vegan Instant Chicken Broth/Seasoning

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups nutritional yeast flakes
  • 3 tablespoons Kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons basil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons celery salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a blender container.
  2. Blend until the ingredients turn into a smooth powder.
  3. Wait until the seasoning dust settles before taking the lid off the blender. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

To replace 1 cup of liquid chicken broth in a recipe, stir 1 teaspoon of this instant broth into 1 cup of water. You may need to adjust the salt in a recipe when using this substitution.

If you don’t have Kosher salt you can use another type.

Use this in place of any vegan, vegetarian or real instant chicken broth or seasoning.

You can find nutritional yeast flakes at a health food store.

See a cooking demonstration of this Vegan Chicken Broth/Seasoning recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel

© Karen Breyer

 

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