Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Curried Red Lentil Soup

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Try this easy, healthy, delicious Curried Red Lentil Soup recipe! If you love curry and love lentils you will be crazy about this Curried Red Lentil Soup! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Curried Red Lentil Soup.

A couple nice things about lentils compared to most beans is that you don’t have to soak them and they cook fast. One more bonus with this recipe is that it uses red lentils which cook even faster than brown lentils. Lentils are also very nutritious. They are high in protein and fiber and low in fat.

Looking for a new healthy soup recipe with lots of flavor? This is an outstanding curry and lentil recipe that is full of flavor and has a nice texture! Serve this soup as a main dish or side dish for lunch or dinner. Pair it with a salad and bread or crackers for a satisfying and filling meal! Watch this cooking video and try this Curried Red Lentil Soup recipe today!

Yield: 6 servings

Curried Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 - 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup carrot, finely chopped
  • 4 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced OR 1/8 teaspoon ginger, dried
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • 4 teaspoons chicken broth/seasoning, instant
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup red lentils (picked over, rinsed and drained)
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes, diced
  • 1 - 1 1/2 cups apple, finely chopped
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
  2. Add the onion. Sauté until it is soft and translucent.
  3. Add the garlic and carrots. Sauté another 3 to 5 minutes or until the carrots are softened.
  4. Add the curry powder, ginger, cayenne, water, chicken broth/seasoning, lentils, tomatoes and apple to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Reduce the heat and simmer 15 - 20 minutes or until the lentils are cooked to your desired softness. Serve.

Notes

You can use a sweet or tart apple.

I like to peel the apple but you do not need to.

Make sure to pick over the dried lentils and remove any debris or stones. Then rinse and drain the lentils.

See a cooking demonstration of this Curried Red Lentil Soup recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Cranberry Walnut Truffles

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Make creamy, chocolatey Cranberry Walnut Truffles! These yummy chocolate truffles are filled with healthy walnuts and cranberries! I even used dark chocolate to make these a little healthier. You can also prepare them with semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate.

In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Cranberry Walnut Truffles. These creamy, chocolatey truffles have only four ingredients and are very easy to make. This is a perfect candy recipe for beginners to try.

I think these Cranberry Walnut Truffles are an excellent choice if you are trying to eat healthier and love chocolate. The cranberries and walnuts in this recipe are super good for you and dark chocolate has its health benefits too!

These Cranberry Walnut Truffles are perfect for a chocolatey snack or dessert. I also like to give these truffles as a gift. I pack them in a nice candy box with a see-through lid. They look and taste impressive! If fact I think these Cranberry Walnut Truffles are better than any you can buy in a candy store! Watch this cooking video and make these delicious Cranberry Walnut Truffles today!

 

Yield: About 30 truffles

Cranberry Walnut Truffles

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 10 ounces chocolate chips, semi-sweet or bittersweet
  • 2/3 cup cranberries, dried
  • 2 cups walnut, toasted and finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Pour the cream in a small pan. Heat the cream until it starts to boil around the edges.
  2. Add the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
  3. Turn off the heat and stir in the cranberries.
  4. Pour the mixture into a 9 inch pie pan or square pan.
  5. Refrigerate the chocolate 1 - 2 hours or until firm.
  6. Scoop the chocolate with a teaspoon in about 1 inch-size pieces and place them on a baking sheet or tray. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
  7. Pour the walnuts into a dish or pie pan. Roll the chocolate in the nuts. Then roll the chocolate into a ball between your palms.
  8. Next, gently roll them again in the nuts.
  9. Store the truffles in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

You can use chocolate chips or chop chunks of chocolate into small pieces.

To toast walnuts:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spread walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Bake 10 - 15 minutes, until they just start to brown. Larger nuts will take longer to cook than smaller nuts. Check them frequently so they do not burn.

Let the walnuts cool before chopping them.

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

© Karen Breyer

 

Lentil Tacos

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Trying to eat healthier but don’t want to sacrifice taste? If so, you will be happy you found this Lentil Tacos recipe to satisfy even picky eaters! These tacos are perfect when you need to feed a group of hungry eaters with different tastes. Set out a variety of healthy toppings and everyone can make a specialty taco they will love!

I like to serve an assortment of toppings with these Lentil Tacos. Often, I will set out lettuce, tomatoes, onions (green, red or yellow!), avocados, salsa, guacamole, chopped black olives, shredded cheese, and sour cream. For the vegans you can serve vegan sour cream and vegan cheese!

I think these Lentil Tacos will be one of your favorite recipes for both small and large gatherings. If you have a small group, you can save the extra Lentil Tacos mixture in the fridge. Reheat it later for more tasty tacos! If you have a large crowd you can double this recipe and buy lots of tacos shells! What a perfect, healthy, tasty meal recipe that everyone will love! Watch this cooking video and serve these delicious Lentil Tacos for dinner tonight!

Yield: 6 servings

Lentil Tacos

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin, ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon poepper, fresh ground
  • 1 cup lentils, dried (sorted, rinsed & drained)
  • 12 taco shells
  • Toppings of your choice

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the water, tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  2. Bring mixture to a boil. Add lentils and stir.
  3. Reduce the heat to a simmer then cover the pan with a lid.
  4. Simmer about 35 minutes or until the lentils are as soft as you like them. If the mixture becomes dry before the lentils are done add a little more water.
  5. Add the lentil mixture to the taco shells. Top with your choice of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Notes

Heat the taco shells according to package directions if desired.

It would be fun to have a taco party and set lots of different toppings out. Your guests can custom make their Lentil Tacos how they like them!

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

© Karen Breyer

 

Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes

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Learn how to make delicous Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes! In this cooking video Karen Breyer and her dad will show you step-by-step how to make this easy, healthy Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes recipe.

Have you been wanting an easy, healthy chicken and potatoes recipe? You found it with this Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes dish! This chicken dinner recipe has only a few healthy ingredients and is very easy to make. I think it is extra nice that you are baking both the chicken and potatoes together in one pan in the oven. Add an extra veggie or salad to this chicken and potato dish and you have a healthy, satisfying meal sure to please everyone!

If you are looking for great dinner ideas I think you will be very happy you found this recipe. Watch this cooking video and make this easy, healthy delicious Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes recipe for dinner tonight!

Yield: 6 servings

Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 - 2 pounds broiler-fryer chicken pieces, skinless
  • 1 pound red potatoes, quartered
  • 2 teaspoons basil, dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cut the potatoes in quarters or eights so they are all about the same size.
  3. Arrange chicken and potatoes in a single layer in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch rectangle pan.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together the basil, thyme, garlic salt and oil.
  5. Sprinkle, brush or rub the mixture over the chicken and potatoes.
  6. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Remove the foil. Turn the chicken and potatoes over.
  8. Bake uncovered 20 - 30 minutes more or until the juice of the chicken is no longer pink when the thickest part of the chicken is cut.
  9. Salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

You can use three times the amount of fresh herbs instead of dried herbs.

See a cooking demonstration of this Roasted Chicken and Red Potatoes recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

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