Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Frozen Dark Chocolate Almond Bananas

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Frozen Dark Chocolate Almond Bananas

Frozen Dark Chocolate Almond Bananas

Ingredients

  • 1 large banana, ripe
  • 4 Popsicle sticks
  • 8 - 10 ounces chocolate, dark or bittersweet (or as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon coconut or vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup almonds, chopped, toasted or dry roasted
  • 1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt (optional)

Instructions

    1: Line a baking sheet or tray with waxed paper.
    2: Cut the banana crosswise, then again lengthwise so you have 4 long pieces.
    3: Insert a popsicle stick lengthwise into each banana piece. Then place on baking sheet.
    4: Place bananas in the freezer until they are frozen (2 - 3 hours).
    5: After the bananas are frozen, microwave the chocolate, salt and oil in a glass cup or dish until melted. Start with 1 minute and stir. If needed microwave again for 30 seconds and stir again. Repeat until melted and smooth.
    6: Dip each frozen banana into the chocolate by holding the stick. Pull out and allow the excess chocolate to drip back in cup. Then scrape any excess chocolate off. Set them back on the tray.
    7: Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with the chopped almonds. Work quickly so the chocolate doesn't harden before you get the nuts on.
    8: Put the dipped bananas back in the freezer until the chocolate is hard. Keep in the freezer until ready to serve.

Notes

You can use dry roasted or toasted almonds.

Chop the almonds small and coarse as desired.

Make sure there are no water drops on the dish or spoon that comes in contact with the chocolate. Any water can make the chocolate lumpy and hard.

You can use chocolate chips, bars and chunks. If you use bars break them into small pieces before melting. You can also use chocolate especially made for drizzling (sometimes called chocolate melts).

© Karen Breyer

Try these amazing cool, creamy, crunchy Frozen Dark Chocolate Bananas! They are so delicious and easy to make! If you are looking for a healthy, chocolatey dessert I think you will love this one! Make as many as you want and freeze any leftovers. You will be able to enjoy these Frozen Dark Chocolate Almond Banana treats anytime! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Frozen Dark Chocolate Almond Bananas recipe. Watch this cooking video and make these Frozen Dark Chocolate Bananas today!

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.

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

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!

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