Cooking Lessons for Dad

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Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto

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Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto

Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 4 - 6 quarts water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 1/4 cups walnuts, chopped small
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley, minced
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons Kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

    1: Bring 4 - 6 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt to the water as suggested on the spaghetti/pasta package.
    2: Add the pasta to boiling water. Cook according to package directions or until almost al dente.
    3: Reserve 1 cup (or more) of the pasta water. Drain pasta and return to the pan.
    4: While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over low heat in a sauté pan. Add the nuts and garlic. Cook until the nuts just start to brown (about 7 - 9 minutes). Stir frequently.
    5: Stir the salt and parsley into the sauce. Cook another minute.
    6: Mix the walnut pesto sauce into the drained spaghetti. Then stir in the amount of reserved water needed to get the desired consistency.
    7: Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Salt to taste. Serve.

Notes

You can use grated Romano cheese in place of the Parmesan if desired.

You may use any type of long, slender pasta for this recipe.

In addition to the salt I add to the pesto, I add a couple teaspoons of salt to the pasta water. This gives more flavor to the spaghetti. Except for the reserved water, this water will be discarded after the spaghetti is cooked.

© Karen Breyer

Try this easy Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto recipe! It tastes so delicious you will think you are in an Italian restaurant. This Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto recipe is perfect for both fancy and simple meals. Serve this pasta with a salad and bread and you have a nice dinner. You can reheat any leftovers for a tasty quick meal. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto recipe.

This may turn out to be your new favorite go-to recipe when you need a great meal without much fuss. This pasta recipe needs only a few simple ingredients. You likely already have most of them. Watch this cooking video and make this delicious Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto for dinner tonight!

This Spaghetti with Walnut Pesto is so delicious!

Peanut Butter

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Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter

Ingredients

  • 5 cups peanuts, raw or roasted
  • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable or grapeseed oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

    1: Add oil to blender or food processor.
    2: Add 2 cups of peanuts.
    3: Blend until smooth. Start on low and then
    increase the speed to high.
    4: Slowly add remaining peanuts and blend until desired
    consistency.
    5: Add 1 teaspoon of salt and blend thoroughly.
    6: Add more salt as desired a little at a time.
    7: Refrigerate in airtight container.

Notes

When using a Vita-mixer, use tamper through lid opening and push the peanuts down towards the blades.


If needed stop the food processor or blender to scrape the sides down with a spatula. Then return to blending.


If using salted peanuts, reduce the salt to taste

© Karen Breyer

Try this creamy, healthy, homemade Peanut Butter recipe! It is super easy to make and has only 3 ingredients. All you need to make this yummy peanut butter is a good blender or food processor. No more need for store bought peanut butter with unhealthy additives and sugar. This recipe will save you money and your family will love it! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make delicious, creamy Peanut Butter. Watch this cooking video and make this Peanut Butter recipe today!

No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars

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No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars

No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
  • 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 cup dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup cherries, dried
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

    1: Spray a 8 x 8 pan with cooking spray.
    2: Add oats, walnuts, cocoa and salt to a food processor bowl. Process into very small crumbles.
    3: Add dates and cherries. Process until the mixture resembles a crumbly dough and the cherries and dates are chopped up.
    4: Press mixture evenly into the pan.
    5: Chill until firm (about 1 hour).
    6: Cut into 8 - 16 (or desired) sized bars. Serve.

Notes

You can use whole pitted dates or date pieces.

These Walnut Cocoa Cherry bars do not need to be stored in the refrigerator.

These No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars are perfect for breakfast, snacks and dessert.

If the dates are very dry, soak them in water about 5 - 10 minutes. Then drain the water off before adding to the mixture.

Wetting a clean spatula or fingers with water makes it easier to press the mixture in the pan without much sticking.

When processing the dough, you may need to stop and scrape down the dough if it get stuck in a ball.

Old fashioned oats are the same as rolled oats.

Try this sweet, yummy No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars recipe! It is super healthy and easy to make! It has only a few ingredients and you do not need to heat up your kitchen to make it. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make No-bake Cocoa Cherry Walnut Bars.

These No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars are perfect for breakfast, dessert and as a snack. This recipe is so easy, even beginner cooks can make it. Watch this cooking video and make these delicious No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut bars today!

These No-bake Cherry Cocoa Walnut Bars are a sweet treat!

Lentils

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Yield: 4 servings

Lentils

Lentils

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup lentils, dry
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt (or to taste)

Instructions

    1: Examine lentils. Remove any stones and debris. Rinse.
    2: Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
    3: Sauté onion in oil until soft.
    4: Add 3 cups water to the sautéed onions and bring to a boil.
    5: Add lentils and salt to boiling water.
    6: Return to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
    7: Simmer 25 - 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Notes

You can easily double this Lentil recipe.

Sauté the onion in the same pot that you will cook the lentils in.

Add more water if the water dries up before the lentils are tender.

Delicious served over rice, couscous, quinoa, potatoes or yams.

You can use another type of salt if desired.

© Karen Breyer

Lentils are easy to cook and taste delicious! Try this easy, healthy Lentil recipe with just a few ingredients. Lentils are perfect over rice, potatoes, quinoa, couscous and more! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to cook this Lentil recipe.

Lentils are very easy to cook. You don’t need to soak them and they cook in 30 minutes or less. Plus they are high in protein, fiber, nutrients and are very filling! This Lentil recipe will be perfect for lunch or dinner. You can also use these lentils as a base for other recipes like lentil burgers. Watch this cooking video and make this tasty Lentils recipe today!

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