Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Quinoa

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Learn how to cook Quinoa! In this video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Quinoa. Quinoa is very easy to make and takes half the time of regular rice. Quinoa can be used in place of rice in most recipes. It can be part of a main dish, side dish or in soups, salads and even puddings.

Quinoa is a tiny, bead-shaped grain that cooks like rice. It is actually a grain-like seed that contains more protein than any other grain. It is a complete protein (contains all eight essential amino acids). Quinoa has a light flavor similar to couscous. Watch this cooking video and try this easy Quinoa recipe today!

Yield: About 4 cups

Quinoa

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain quinoa in cold water.
  2. Add quinoa and water to medium sauce pan.
  3. Bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce to a simmer.
  5. Cover and cook until all water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Notes

When the quinoa is done it will appear soft and translucent. The germ ring will be visible along the outside edge of the grain.

Season quinoa as desired or use in another recipe.

You can cook quinoa in the rice cooker. Add 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa. I sometimes make half brown rice and half quinoa (or any ratio).

See a cooking demonstration of this Quinoa recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes

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Make this Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes recipe for dinner tonight! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make these tasty, healthy Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes. This is a easy, healthy side dish recipe that you and your family are going to love! These tasty sweet potatoes are simple to make in your crockpot or slow cooker. For more variety you can use yams instead of sweet potatoes.

Want a change from your regular potato recipes? Prepare this Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes recipe as a tasty, colorful, side dish for any meal. Impress your company with this easy to put together recipe. Fix this sweet potato dish ahead of time in your crockpot and let it cook while doing other things. After it is finished you can leave it warming in the crockpot while you finish preparing dinner. Why eat the same old thing everyday? Dress up your dinner tonight with this delicious, easy, healthy Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potato recipe!

Yield: 8 servings

Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 8 cups sweet potatoes (or yams)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple with the juice (canned, unsweetened)
  • 3 - 4 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/3 cup almonds, toasted (chopped or sliced)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cut cleaned sweet potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
  2. Add the sweet potatoes, water, pineapple, maple syrup and salt to the crockpot and stir together.
  3. Cook the potato mixture for 4 - 5 hours on low or 2 - 3 hours on high until the sweet potatoes are soft.
  4. Mash the sweet potato mixture with a potato masher.
  5. Mix in the almonds and vanilla. Serve.

Notes

It is fine to use raw almonds instead of toasted.

I like to sprinkle some additional almonds on top of the finished Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes.

I prefer Kosher salt but you can use any type of salt.

Feel free to peel the sweet potatoes. I prefer to leave the skins on.

For a variation add 1/2 cup dried cranberries to the potato mixture before cooking.

You can cut this recipe in half and cut the cooking time by 15 to 30 minutes.

See a cooking demonstration of this Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Curried Rice Pilaf

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Try this easy, healthy, quick Curried Rice Pilaf recipe! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this delicious brown rice pilaf curry recipe. It is a colorful and healthy curry dish with red peppers, onions, carrots and peas. It can be served as a side dish or main dish.

This is a perfect recipe for beginners or those looking for a quick dinner recipe, especially if you are vegan or vegetarian. The curry and onions really enhance the flavors of the vegetables and brown rice. I think this Curried Rice Pilaf recipe will be your favorite vegetable rice pilaf recipe! Watch this cooking video and try this recipe today, then serve this delicious Curried Rice Pilaf for dinner tonight!

Curried Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups onions, diced
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup red pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
  • 1/4 cup (more if needed) water
  • 4 cups brown rice, cooked
  • 1 1/2 cup peas, frozen
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons (to taste) curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste) Kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a medium or large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the onions, pepper and carrots and sauté until the onions are soft.
  3. Stir in 1/4 cup water, cooked rice, frozen peas and curry powder. Add more water if desired to make the rice softer and moister.
  4. Continue to cook over medium low heat until the curry is hot.
  5. Add salt, stir and serve.

Notes

This recipe is great to use leftover rice (of course fresh rice is best). If your rice is leftover and hard, add more water if needed to make sure the rice is soft and moist enough.

Add a little more water if the rice sticks to the bottom of the pan.

You can also use cooked white rice for this recipe.

See a cooking demonstration of this Curried Rice Pilaf recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Mashed White Beans and Vegetables

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In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Mashed White Beans and Vegetables. This recipe tastes like mashed potatoes only it is yummier and healthier! I think this Mashed White Beans and Vegetables recipe will be your favorite new potato recipe! It is perfect for a delicious healthy side dish that goes with almost any meal.

Looking for an extra special, but still healthy, recipe for the holidays or special event? This Mashed White Beans and Vegetable recipe is the perfect side dish for most holidays, special events or just any day you want some delicious, healthy food!

Got some red potatoes and veggies on hand? Here is your chance to make a Mashed White Beans and Vegetables recipe that everyone will love. If you haven’t tried Mashed White Beans and Vegetables yet, watch this cooking video and try this recipe today!

Yield: 8 servings

Mashed White Beans and Vegetables

Ingredients

  • 1 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 3 pounds red potatoes, cut in 1 inch pieced
  • 2 - 15 ounce cans white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt, Kosher
  • Ground pepper to taste
  • Water as needed

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
  2. Add garlic, onion, celery and carrots to the pan. Sauté until the onion is soft.
  3. Stir in the potatoes and beans.
  4. Add enough water to cover the mixture by 2 inches.
  5. Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil.
  6. Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir in the salt.
  7. Simmer until the potatoes they are soft.
  8. Drain the mixture reserving at least 1 cup of the cooking liquid (you may need more).
  9. Mash the beans and vegetables together with a potato masher. Mix in 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Adjust the liquid to your desired consistency.
  10. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Notes

You do not have to peel the potatoes unless you want to. Make sure to rinse and scrub them before cutting them.

You can use any white, yellow, or red skinned waxy variety of potatoes.

See a cooking demonstration of this Mashed White Beans and Vegetables recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

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