Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Healthy Orange Cake

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Make a delicious Healthy Orange Cake! In this video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Healthy Orange Cake recipe for a delicious dessert! This is an amazing healthy cake recipe that both kids and adults will love! Looking for a yummy healthy cake recipe for kids? You found it!

This is an easy, healthy sweet recipe perfect for dessert or a party! I think it is so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast (and I have!). If you love sweets and deserts but feel you can’t eat them with out guilt try this easy Healthy Orange Cake recipe and be happy!

After you try this Healthy Orange Cake I think it will be your favorite healthy dessert recipe ever! Watch this cooking video and try this easy, Healthy Orange Cake today and be happy!

Yield: 2 - 8 inch cakes

Healthy Orange Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup white flour, unbleached
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup coconut milk, unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed
  • 1/2 orange, large
  • 1/4 peel from large orange
  • 1/2 cup water, approximately

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 - 8 inch pans with parchment paper (cut paper to fit the pans).
  2. In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  3. Blend together the coconut milk, orange juice concentrate, orange, and orange peel.
  4. Blend in enough water to make the liquid mixture 2 1/2 cups total.
  5. Add the liquid into the dry ingredients and mix well. You can mix the batter by hand quickly or use an electric hand mixer and beat for it 20 to 25 seconds.
  6. Immediately pour the cake mixture into two 8 - inch round or square baking pans.
  7. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes. The cakes are done when they begin to brown and pull away from the sides of the pan. As well, a knife inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean.
  8. When the cakes are done, let them cool about 10 minutes in the pan. Next remove the cakes from the pans. Store the cakes in plastic bags or plastic wrap to keep them moist. Decorate the cooled cakes as desired.

Notes

You can use all whole wheat flour (no white flour) and the cake will be denser.

For a lighter cake, use 1/2 cup unbleached white flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour.

You can also use white whole wheat flour for a lighter color cake.

Wash the orange well since you are going to use part of the peel.

You can freeze these cakes in plastic bags. When you are ready to decorate the cake, remove them from the freezer and decorate.

For an amazing dessert, try the Healthy Pineapple Orange Sauce recipe with this cake. Spread the filling between the layers. Top of the cake with whipped topping or more orange filling (or both!).

© Karen Breyer

 

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

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Learn how to cook this easy, healthy, delicious Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore recipe! In this video Karen Breyer and her dad will show you step-by-step how to make this super simple Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore dinner recipe!

This Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore recipe is so easy! You just add the chicken and vegetables to your crockpot or slow cooker and let it cook while you do something else. This Chicken Cacciatore is delicious served over mashed potatoes, baked polenta, egg noodles or pasta, (spaghetti, fettuccine or penne). It is a hearty, healthy meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

This Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore is a very healthy recipe with plenty of vegetables and the chicken is a great source of protein. If you like chicken dinners I think you will love this easy Chicken Cacciatore recipe! Watch this video and try this Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore recipe today!

Yield: 6 servings

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients

  • 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 - 1 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 15.5 ounce can tomatoes, diced or chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon pepper, fresh ground (or to taste)
  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (or pieces)

Instructions

  1. Combine bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, tomato juice, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  2. Spread about 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture over the bottom of the crockpot.
  3. Lay half the chicken over the mixture.
  4. Spread the chicken layer with half of the remaining mixture.
  5. Lay the remaining chicken over the mixture layer.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours until the chicken is cooked but not mushy or dry.

Notes

This Chicken Cacciatore is delicious served over mashed potatoes, baked polenta, egg noodles or pasta, (spaghetti, fettuccine or penne).

© Karen Breyer

 

Chocolate Covered Apricots

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Learn how to make this easy, healthy 2 ingredient Chocolate Covered Apricot recipe! In this cooking video Karen Breyer and her dad will show you step-by-step how to make Chocolate Covered Apricots! This is a super easy, delicious, healthy chocolate and dried fruit dessert or snack recipe. All you need is chocolate and dried apricots to make this chocolaty delicious recipe that everyone will love.

This recipe is so impressive and delicious that it would make a perfect food gift for you to share. You can get even more creative with this chocolate fruit recipe and add different toppings like chopped nuts, coconut, sprinkles and other tasty toppings. Kids and adults will both love this easy, healthy chocolate fruit recipe. Looking for a new easy healthy chocolate dessert recipe? You found it! I think this will be your new favorite healthy chocolate dessert or snack recipe. Watch this cooking video and try these Chocolate Covered Apricots today!

Yield: Varies

Chocolate Covered Apricots

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried apricots (or amount as desired)
  • 1 cup chocolate pieces, chunks or chips (dark, milk, semi-sweet, or white) (or amount as needed)
  • Decorations like chopped nuts, coconut, candy sprinkles, if desired for decorating

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment or wax paper.
  2. Microwave chocolate in glass cup or dish on high until melted. Start with 1 minute and stir. If needed, microwave a little longer (about 30 seconds) and stir again. Repeat until melted and smooth.
  3. Dip about 3/4 of the apricot into the melted chocolate. Pull out the apricot and allow excess chocolate to drip back in the bowl. Set on prepared tray to dry.
  4. If decorating with chopped nuts, sprinkles, coconut or other decorations do this now. Dip the wet chocolate dipped apricots in the decorations or sprinkle/drizzle them on.
  5. Dry the chocolate covered apricots at room temperature until the chocolate is hard.
  6. Optional: If you are going to double dip or drizzle the apricots with another layer of chocolate (like white on dark), wait until the first layer of chocolate has cooled completely and hardened. You can also dip the second layer of chocolate in additional decorations while the chocolate is still wet.
  7. Store the dried Chocolate Covered Apricots in an airtight container.

Notes

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

I have used both chocolate chips and bars. You may also mix chocolate types if you want. If you use chocolate chunks or bars, break them into small pieces before melting. You can also use chocolate specially made for dipping and drizzling (like chocolate melts).

You can save the leftover chocolate and re-melt it later. Cover it and store it at room temperature until you are ready to melt and re-use it.

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

© Karen Breyer

 

Roasted Vegetable Medley

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Learn how to make the best, easy, oven roasted vegetable recipe ever! In this cooking video Karen Breyer and her dad will show you how to make this delicious Roasted Vegetable Medley. I think this roasted vegetable recipe will be your favorite new healthy veggie recipe! If you are a beginner cook and trying to eat healthy I think this will be a perfect veggie recipe for you to try!

This Roasted Vegetable Medley is just right for an easy, healthy side dish that goes with almost any meal. Got some vegetables on hand? Make these roasted veggies in your oven! Looking for new healthy food ideas? Here is your chance to make an amazing easy, healthy vegetable recipe that everyone will love.

If you haven’t tried roasting vegetables yet, watch this cooking video and try this easy, healthy, delicious oven Roasted Vegetable Medley recipe for dinner tonight!

Yield: 6 servings

Roasted Vegetable Medley

Ingredients

  • 4 - 5 cups cauliflower florets
  • 4 - 5 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 - 1/2 cups bell pepper (yellow or red)
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced (1/4 inch)
  • 1 1/2 cup red onion, sliced in long wedges
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan and Romano cheese, grated or shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, carrots, onions and garlic with the olive oil.
  3. Spread the vegetables in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
  4. Roast the vegetables in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until they are tender and browned on the edges. Stir them every 10 minutes or so while they are cooking.
  5. When the roasted vegetables are done sprinkle them with Parmesan and Romano cheese. Serve.

Notes

The carrots look nice cut at an angle.

You can be flexible with the amount of vegetables you add to this Roasted Vegetable Medley. You can add more of some and less of others if you want.

I like to use extra-virgin olive oil.

Roast the vegetables to your desired doneness.

You can use other cheeses if you like.

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

© Karen Breyer

 

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