Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

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Make this easy, healthy Tomato Basil Bruschetta recipe! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Tomato Basil Bruschetta. It is so delicious and good for you too!

Serve this Tomato Basil Bruschetta on toast, grilled bread, fresh bread or crackers. Choose whole grain bread and you have a very healthy snack or appetizer! Bruschetta and bread would be wonderful with any meal and especially good with an Italian dish. I served my leftover bruschetta on my salad and that was delicious too! Watch this cooking video and make this Tomato Basil Bruschetta today!

Yield: 8 servings

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup basil, fresh (chopped) OR 1 tablespoon basil, dried
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste) salt, Kosher
  • 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste) pepper, fresh ground
  • 1/4 cup (or as desired) Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the Parmesan cheese. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  2. Chill about 1 hour for flavors to blend.
  3. Spoon on top of toast, grilled toast, bread or crackers. Then top with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil is recommended but you can use any variety of olive oil.

I put the leftover Tomato Basil Bruschetta on my salad and it was delicious!

See a cooking demonstration of this Tomato Basil Bruschetta recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel

© Karen Breyer

 

Toasted Almonds

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Learn how to Toast Sliced, Slivered and Whole Almonds in the oven. It is so easy! In this video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Toasted Almonds in the oven. There are not many steps so even beginners can make Toasted Almonds!

Toasted Almonds are delicious and healthy! Eat them by themselves and add them to your favorite recipes! I like to toast my almonds before adding them to my homemade trail mix. Slivered and sliced almonds are especially delicious on salads, yogurt, and cereal. It is so easy to Toast Almonds in the oven! All you need is a baking sheet. Watch this cooking video and Toast some Almonds today!

Toasted Almonds

Ingredients

  • Almonds, raw (whole, sliced or slivered)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spread nuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet or shallow pan.
  3. Toast the nuts in the oven until they are light brown and have a nutty aroma. Stir a couple of times during cooking. See below for cooking times.
  4. Cool and serve.

Notes

Approximate cooking times:
Whole almonds: 10 -15 minutes
Sliced almonds: 5 - 10 minutes
Slivered almonds: 5 - 10 minutes

Larger and denser nuts will take longer and smaller nuts will cook faster.

Do not combine different types of nuts on a baking sheet because of the various cooking times.

See a cooking demonstration of this Toasted Almonds recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel

© Karen Breyer

 

Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag

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Make your own healthy, delicious popcorn in a paper bag! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag. This is such a fast, easy, inexpensive way to make popcorn anytime!

This Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag recipe has no preservatives or additives. It taste much better and is healthier than store bought popcorn. Make this easy, healthy, tasty popcorn snack for your next game night, movie night or any night! Watch this cooking video, grab a paper bag, some popping corn and pop some delicious, crispy, fresh popcorn tonight!

Yield: 7 - 10 cups

Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the popcorn kernels, oil and salt.
  2. Pour the popcorn mixture in a brown paper lunch bag.
  3. Fold over the top of the bag 2 or 3 times to seal in the ingredients. Leave plenty of room for the popped kernels.
  4. Microwave the bag at full power for 2 to 4 minutes, until you hear about 2 seconds between pops.
  5. Carefully open the bag to avoid the hot steam. Pour popcorn into a bowl and serve.

Notes

Make sure to stop the microwave right away after you hear only 2 seconds between pops as the popcorn can burn easily.

Add other seasonings to the popped corn if you would like.

You can spray the popped corn with a little olive oil to help the salt and seasonings stick.

See a cooking demonstration of this Microwave Popcorn in a Paper Bag recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel

© Karen Breyer

 

Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn

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Try this yummy Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate Popcorn recipe! In this video Karen Breyer and her dad will show you step-by-step how to make Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn. It is a delicious, healthy and easy to make chocolate snack recipe! If you love sweet and salty combinations, I think this chocolate popcorn recipe will be your new favorite, healthy, fun snack recipe!

In this recipe you will make stovetop popcorn to combine with melted dark chocolate. You could also try different types of chocolate like milk, bittersweet or white chocolate. If you want a shortcut you could use some already popped popcorn that you have on hand.

This is a perfect chocolatey snack or dessert for any lunch or dinner. Pack some in your child lunch and they will be very happy! I also like to serve this Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn for game night or any get together with family and friends. Serve this chocolate popcorn recipe at your next social event and watch everyone hang out at the chocolate popcorn bowl! You better make plenty Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn so you don’t run out at the beginning of your party.

Watch this cooking video and make this Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn today! Be amazed how easy and yummy this chocolate popcorn recipe is!

Yield: 6 servings

Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels, un-popped
  • 5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped or chips
  • 3/4 to 1 teaspoon sea salt, fine (divided)

Instructions

  1. Pour the popcorn and oil into a 3 - 4 quart pot with a tight fitting lid. Tilt the pan to spread around the popcorn and oil evenly.
  2. Cover the pot and cook over medium-high heat until 1 kernel pops. Then remove the pot from the heat.
  3. Wait 1 minute and return the pot to the heat.
  4. Shake the pot occasionally until the popping slows to 2 - 3 seconds between pops.
  5. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and add remove un-popped kernels.
  6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Place the chocolate and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave safe container. Heat for 30 second intervals until the chocolate is liquidy when stirred.
  8. Pour chocolate over popcorn and mix well.
  9. Spread the chocolate popcorn on the baking sheet and sprinkle with additional salt as desired.
  10. Let the popcorn sit at room temperature until the chocolate hardens (1 - 2 hours).

Notes

You can store this popcorn in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days.

You can also use 4 quarts of already popped popcorn instead of popping your own. If you do this you will not need the popcorn kernels and vegetable oil for this recipe.

See a cooking demonstration of this Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Popcorn recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

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