Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Date Paste

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Looking for healthy, natural sweeteners that taste amazing? Try this tasty, sweet Date Paste recipe! It is so easy to make and only 3 ingredients! Use date paste as a substitute for unhealthy sweeteners in your recipes, smoothies, oatmeal and more!

In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Date Paste. You can make a batch (or 2 or 3) and keep leftovers in the fridge to use anytime. Watch this cooking video and make some healthy, tasty, sweet date paste today!

Yield: About 1 1/4 cups

Date Paste

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dates, pitted
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Place the dates in a bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight (or until soft) in the refrigerator.
  2. Drain soaking liquid and reserve.
  3. Add the dates and vanilla to a strong blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add the soaking liquid as needed to make a smooth paste.
  4. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Date paste can often be used in place of sugar or other sweeteners in cooking and baking. Try date paste to sweeten your smoothies, oatmeal and homemade salad dressings.

Date paste can be frozen for several months. It stays a bit soft in the freezer so you can scoop out just the amount you need.

You can add other seasoning such as nutmeg, cinnamon or a bit of Kosher or sea salt.

© Karen Breyer

 

How to Husk Corn on the Cob

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Love fresh corn on the cob but not sure how to husk it? I will show you how. Husking corn can be very easy and fast! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to Husk Corn on the Cob. It is so easy! Get some fresh corn on the cob and make it for dinner tonight!

Vegan Cheese Sauce

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Love cheese? Trying to eat healthier? Try this tasty Vegan Cheese Sauce! You will love it! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Vegan Cheese Sauce.

Pour this delicious vegan cheese sauce on potatoes, chips, veggies, pizza and in burritos, sandwiches and more! Watch this cooking video and make this creamy, yummy Vegan Cheese Sauce today!

Yield: About 3 cups

Vegan Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashews, raw
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup pimentos, canned
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Add the ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth.
  2. Add the mixture to a medium saucepan.
  3. Bring the mixture to a bowl while stirring constantly.
  4. Reduce to a simmer and continue to stir. Cook the sauce until it is thick.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat and it is ready! This vegan cheese sauce is delicious on potatoes, pasta, pizza, burritos and more.

Notes

Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

© Karen Breyer

 

Crockpot Potatoes

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Learn the easiest way to cook potatoes! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make potatoes in your crockpot or slow cooker. It is so easy! Cook lots of potatoes at once and then set out toppings for a potato bar. Everyone can customize their potatoes how they like them! If you like crockpot meals watch this cooking video and make Crockpot Potatoes today!

 

Yield: Varies

Crockpot Potatoes

Ingredients

  • Potatoes (around the same size)
  • Water

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly wash and scrub the potatoes. Cut out unwanted blemishes.
  2. Add water to the cooker (see below).
  3. Add potatoes.
  4. Bake on high. Select time according to chart.
  5. Take out the potatoes when they are done. They will be soft when gently squeezed. The skin will be firm.
  6. -------------------------Water and cooking times------------------------------
  7. One layer needs 1/2 cup of water. Bake on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  8. Half to 3/4 full needs 3/4 cup of water. Bake on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  9. A full cooker needs 3/4 cup of water. Bake on high for 3 1/2 hours.

Notes

You can select from a variety of potatoes.

Smaller potatoes will cook faster than larger ones. If you have different sizes, check the small ones early and take them out when they are done. Small potatoes take 20-30 minutes less.

Do not poke potatoes with a fork. That will leave dark streaks.

Do not wrap the potatoes in foil.

Baking on low will darken the flesh.

Baking times depend on the cooker, size of potatoes and the desired firmness.

You can cook them up to 1 - 11/2 hours longer before the flesh darkens.

You can plan ahead by scrubbing the potatoes and refrigerating them in a bag until needed. Remove the blemishes at baking time.

You can also put some yams in with the potatoes. Take them out early as they do not take as long to cook.

© Karen Breyer

 

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