Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Quinoa

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Learn how to cook Quinoa! In this video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Quinoa. Quinoa is very easy to make and takes half the time of regular rice. Quinoa can be used in place of rice in most recipes. It can be part of a main dish, side dish or in soups, salads and even puddings.

Quinoa is a tiny, bead-shaped grain that cooks like rice. It is actually a grain-like seed that contains more protein than any other grain. It is a complete protein (contains all eight essential amino acids). Quinoa has a light flavor similar to couscous. Watch this cooking video and try this easy Quinoa recipe today!

Yield: About 4 cups

Quinoa

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain quinoa in cold water.
  2. Add quinoa and water to medium sauce pan.
  3. Bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce to a simmer.
  5. Cover and cook until all water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Notes

When the quinoa is done it will appear soft and translucent. The germ ring will be visible along the outside edge of the grain.

Season quinoa as desired or use in another recipe.

You can cook quinoa in the rice cooker. Add 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa. I sometimes make half brown rice and half quinoa (or any ratio).

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

© Karen Breyer

 

Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes

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Make this Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes recipe for dinner tonight! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make these tasty, healthy Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes. This is a easy, healthy side dish recipe that you and your family are going to love! These tasty sweet potatoes are simple to make in your crockpot or slow cooker. For more variety you can use yams instead of sweet potatoes.

Want a change from your regular potato recipes? Prepare this Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes recipe as a tasty, colorful, side dish for any meal. Impress your company with this easy to put together recipe. Fix this sweet potato dish ahead of time in your crockpot and let it cook while doing other things. After it is finished you can leave it warming in the crockpot while you finish preparing dinner. Why eat the same old thing everyday? Dress up your dinner tonight with this delicious, easy, healthy Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potato recipe!

Yield: 8 servings

Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 8 cups sweet potatoes (or yams)
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple with the juice (canned, unsweetened)
  • 3 - 4 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/3 cup almonds, toasted (chopped or sliced)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cut cleaned sweet potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
  2. Add the sweet potatoes, water, pineapple, maple syrup and salt to the crockpot and stir together.
  3. Cook the potato mixture for 4 - 5 hours on low or 2 - 3 hours on high until the sweet potatoes are soft.
  4. Mash the sweet potato mixture with a potato masher.
  5. Mix in the almonds and vanilla. Serve.

Notes

It is fine to use raw almonds instead of toasted.

I like to sprinkle some additional almonds on top of the finished Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes.

I prefer Kosher salt but you can use any type of salt.

Feel free to peel the sweet potatoes. I prefer to leave the skins on.

For a variation add 1/2 cup dried cranberries to the potato mixture before cooking.

You can cut this recipe in half and cut the cooking time by 15 to 30 minutes.

See a cooking demonstration of this Crockpot Maple Almond Sweet Potatoes recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Indian Spiced Lentils

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Make this easy, healthy, Indian Spiced Lentil recipe! In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you how to make these Indian Spiced Lentils. If you enjoy Indian spices and are looking for healthy recipes, you are going to love this Indian Spiced Lentils recipe!

Lentils are a fast cooking legume that are easy to make. No need to soak these lentils like other legumes and beans. Because they are smaller, red lentils cook even more quickly than regular lentils.

Lentils are inexpensive and a great source of protein and fiber. Lentils digest slowly so may be beneficial for diabetics. They also may help those trying to lose weight because lentils help you stay full longer.

If you are trying to make more healthy meals for your family, this delicious Indian Spiced Lentils recipe will be perfect! I think it will be one of your best healthy recipes. Watch this cooking video and try this Indian Spiced Lentils recipe today!

Yield: 4 servings

Indian Spiced Lentils

Ingredients

  • 2-3 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 - 4 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 3 - 4 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 3 teaspoons vegetable seasoning and broth, dried
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 - 14.5 ounce can tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup red lentils, dried
  • 4 teaspoons garam marsala
  • 2 teaspoons cumin, ground
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in medium to large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion until it is soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and ginger and cook another minute.
  3. Remove half the onion mixture and set it aside.
  4. Add the vegetable seasoning, water, tomatoes, lentils,
  5. garam masala and cumin to the pan with the onion mixture. Bring to a boil.
  6. Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the lentils are tender, about 15 minutes.
  7. Stir in salt to taste. Top with reserved onion mixture.
  8. Serve plain or over rice, quinoa or couscous.

Notes

Before using the lentils, pick them over, remove any debris and rinse them.

Instead of the dried vegetable seasoning and broth and water you can use 3 cups of prepared liquid vegetable broth.

You can use 1 teaspoon ground ginger in place of the fresh ginger.

These lentils are typically served over rice but they are also delicious over quinoa and couscous.

See a cooking demonstration of this Indian Spiced Lentils recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Puerto Rican Style Beans

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Make this easy, healthy, flavorful Puerto Rican Style Beans recipe for dinner tonight! In this video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make these delicious Puerto Rican Style Beans.

This is a fast one pot dish that you can make very easily. These Puerto Rican Style Beans are a perfect healthy, easy, dinner recipe for beginners. This recipe uses canned black and red beans which are much easier and quicker than dried beans. The green and yellow peppers along with the tomatoes, onions and red and black beans make a very colorful and appetizing dish that everyone will love!

Serve these Puerto Rican Style Beans over brown, yellow or white rice for a hearty meal. If you want to change this recipe up try these beans over couscous, quinoa, potatoes or even yams!

If you are looking for new healthy food recipes ideas, you found one! This recipe is perfect for dinner but is also a very satisfying, easy, healthy lunch meal. If you have any leftovers they reheat beautifully for tomorrow’s lunch. Watch this cooking video, get out your pot and make this easy Puerto Rican Style Beans recipe for dinner tonight!

Yield: 6 servings

Puerto Rican Style Beans

Ingredients

  • 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups bell pepper, diced (green and yellow)
  • 1 1/2 cups onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (or to taste)
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) tomatoes, diced
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) red beans, rinsed and drained

Instructions

  1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet or medium to large pot.
  2. Add pepper, onion, and garlic. Sauté over medium-low heat until the vegetables are soft.
  3. Stir in the salt, cumin, red pepper, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Add beans and simmer 5 - 10 more minutes or until beans are as soft as you would like.
  5. Serve. These beans are typically served over rice but are also delicious with quinoa, couscous, potatoes and yams.

Notes

You can use all green bell peppers or a mix of green and yellow peppers.

These Puerto Rican Style Beans are also delicious later as leftovers.

See a cooking demonstration of this Puerto Rican Style Beans recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

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