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

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

Curried Corn with Thai Green Curry

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Enjoy this easy, healthy Curried Corn recipe made with simple ingredients and frozen corn! 🌽✨ The curry seasoning adds a delicious twist to tender corn, creating a flavorful and wholesome side dish that comes together in minutes.

This colorful curried corn recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for any meal. It’s a great way to add warmth and spice to your table without a lot of effort. If you enjoy easy, healthy recipes like this one, explore more of my favorites on Cooking Lessons for Dad! 💛

Yield: 8 servings

Curried Corn with Thai Green Curry

Curried Corn with Thai Green Curry

This easy Curried Corn recipe uses frozen corn and a touch of curry for a flavorful, colorful side dish that comes together in minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 10 cups frozen corn
  • 1 tablespoon Thai-style green curry paste
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

Instructions

    1. In a large pot, add the water and bring to a boil over high heat.
    2. Stir in the corn, curry paste, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper.
    3. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
    4. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the corn is tender and the flavors come together.
    5. At the end of cooking, remove the lid and stir in the lime juice.
    6. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
    7. Serve hot. Enjoy!

Notes

Taste and adjust the seasonings to suit your preference.
Thai-style green curry paste provides both flavor and heat. For a gentler spice level, begin with 1 teaspoon and add more as needed.
To serve a smaller group, cut the recipe in half for 5 to 6 servings.

© Karen Breyer

Rice Cooker Red Lentils and Rice

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Yield: 6 servings

Rice Cooker Red Lentils and Rice

Rice Cooker Red Lentils and Rice

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup red lentils, dried (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1 1/4 cups onion, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger, ground
  • 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)

Instructions

    1: Add the ingredients to a rice cooker. Stir well.
    2: Set on the brown rice setting.
    3: Once the rice is done, let it set a few minutes before opening the rice cooker.
    4: Serve as a main or side dish.

Notes

Use the regular rice setting if your rice cooker does not have a brown rice setting.
Adjust the seasonings to your taste.
You can double this recipe if your rice cooker is large enough.

Learn how to make this easy, delicious Rice Cooker Red Lentils and Rice recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful dish is both nutritious and satisfying, with minimal effort required. Using the convenience of a rice cooker, you’ll quickly have a meal that’s versatile enough to serve as a main dish or side. Whether you’re new to cooking or just looking for a simple, wholesome recipe, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Watch this cooking video and make Rice Cooker Red Lentils and Rice for dinner tonight!

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