Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Pasta, Bean and Vegetable Soup

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Pasta, Bean and Vegetable Soup

Pasta, Bean and Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound (about 1 cup) blackeye peas, dried
  • 8 cups water (plus water for soaking)
  • 8 teaspoons chicken broth/seasoning, powdered (vegan or regular)
  • 3 cups onion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
  • 14.5 ounce can tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup pasta, tiny shapes
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (to taste)
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground pepper (to taste)

Instructions

    1: Sort and rinse the beans. Remove any rocks or debris. Soak the beans overnight (6 - 8 hours) in about 6 cups of cold water.
    2: Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
    3: To a large pot add 8 cups water, chicken seasoning and the soaked beans. Bring to a boil.
    4: Add the onion, garlic, celery, and red bell pepper. Return to a boil.
    5: Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 60 minutes or until the beans are a soft as you like them.
    6: Stir in the tomatoes, pasta, salt and pepper.
    7: Simmer the soup uncovered until the pasta is cooked to desired tenderness (see pasta package for cooking time). Stir occasionally while it is simmering.

Notes

You can use 8 cups liquid chicken broth in place of the powdered /broth/seasoning and water. I prefer using a vegan chicken broth seasoning and water for this recipe. It does not have any added preservatives or unhealthy ingredients. You can also adjust the amount of seasoning and/or water separately to your taste.
I often use Ditalini pasta for this soup. Ditalini is a very small type of tube shaped pasta. You can use any small sized pasta for this recipe.
Adjust the ingredients to your taste.

© Karen Breyer

Try this delicious Pasta, Bean and Vegetable Soup! This is an easy, healthy soup recipe that everyone will love. It is filled with tasty, healthy ingredients that will really satisfy you. It is perfect for a main or side dish. Serve it with garlic toast and you will feel like you are eating in a fancy restaurant (without the high cost)!

In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make this Pasta, Bean and Vegetable Soup. Watch this cooking video and serve this tasty Pasta, Bean and Vegetable Soup recipe for dinner tonight!

Mexican Veggie Pizzas

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Make this fast, easy, healthy, yummy Mexican Veggie Pizzas recipe in a toaster oven or regular oven! In this video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Mexican Veggie Pizzas. This is a perfect recipe for a crowd or for just one or two people. You can make this Mexican Veggie Pizza mixture ahead of time and then make the number of pizzas you want when you are ready.

This Mexican Veggie Pizzas recipe is great for kids who are old enough to use a toaster oven. They can make one or two Mexican Veggie Pizzas in the toaster oven after school or for a meal (then you don’t need to!). If your kids want to learn how to cook, this is an easy, yummy recipe for them to start with.

These Mexican Veggie Pizzas are delicious on their own and they are even yummier when you add your favorite toppings to them. You can top them with tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, avocados, chopped lettuce, sliced olives and more! Watch this cooking video and make this delicious Mexican Veggie Pizzas recipe today!

Yield: 6 servings

Mexican Veggie Pizzas

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups yellow corn, frozen
  • 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can (16 oz.) fat-free refried beans
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
  • 6 tostada shells
  • 3/4 cup Mexican cheese blend, shredded (regular or vegan)
  • Your choice of toppings.

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil.
  2. Rinse and drain the corn, then set aside.
  3. Pour tomatoes and their juice into a mixing bowl. Break up any large chunks with a fork.
  4. Add corn, refried beans, garlic powder, and ground cumin to the tomatoes. Mix well.
  5. Place tostada shells on a cookie sheet lined with foil.
  6. Spread the mixture to the edges of the shells with the back of a spoon. Use 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup per shell.
  7. Top each shell with 1-2 tablespoons of shredded cheese.
  8. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese just starts to bubble and brown.
  9. Remove from oven and top tostadas with desired toppings.

Notes

Some suggested toppings:
Lettuce, shredded or chopped
Tomatoes, diced or sliced
Green onions, sliced
Black olives, sliced or diced
Salsa
Sour Cream
Avocados, diced or sliced
Guacamole

Everyone loves these. Great for a crowd. You can also just make a couple and save the unused bean mixture in the refrigerator for about a week.You can make one or two at a time in the toaster oven.

You can thaw the corn on the counter for a few minutes or in the refrigerator for a longer time. If there was not any ice on the corn you do not need to rinse it if it is already thawed. You could use rinsed and drained canned corn in place of the frozen corn, but the frozen corn will probably taste much fresher.

See a cooking demonstration of this Mexican Veggie Pizzas recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel,

© Karen Breyer

 

Frozen Vegetables in a Toaster Oven

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Cooking Frozen Vegetables in the toaster oven is a very easy, healthy and delicious way to prepare them. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to cook Frozen Vegetables in a Toaster Oven.

Have you ever thought of cooking frozen vegetables in a toaster oven? I was surprised to find out that cooking frozen vegetables in a toaster oven is an easy, healthy, and delicious way to cook them. When you have a few things cooking at once it can be very helpful to free up the stove and microwave by using the toaster oven to cook the vegetables.

If you have not tried cooking frozen vegetables in your toaster oven I think you will be pleasantly surprised how easy and delicious they will turn out. You can cook any variety of frozen vegetables in the toaster oven. For example, try cooking frozen broccoli, carrots, green beans, mixed vegetables, stir-fry style vegetables and more in the toaster oven. The next time you are going to prepare frozen vegetables try cooking them in the toaster oven! Watch this cooking video and try cooking frozen vegetables in your toaster over today!

Yield: 4 - 6 servings

Frozen Vegetables in a Toaster Oven

Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 cups frozen vegetables
  • Cooking spray
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Spray baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. Spread frozen vegetables on the pan in a single layer.
  3. Turn toaster oven to the bake setting. Set temperature to 425 degrees. Put pan in oven and cook vegetables for 12 - 15 minutes or until your desired doneness.
  4. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Notes

You can use a variety of pans to cook the frozen vegetables in the toaster oven. I have used a small baking sheet, pie pan, bread pan, and glass baking dish. If you use a deeper pan still put only a single layer of vegetables.

See a cooking demonstration of this Frozen Vegetables in a Toaster Oven recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

Mashed White Beans and Vegetables

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In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Mashed White Beans and Vegetables. This recipe tastes like mashed potatoes only it is yummier and healthier! I think this Mashed White Beans and Vegetables recipe will be your favorite new potato recipe! It is perfect for a delicious healthy side dish that goes with almost any meal.

Looking for an extra special, but still healthy, recipe for the holidays or special event? This Mashed White Beans and Vegetable recipe is the perfect side dish for most holidays, special events or just any day you want some delicious, healthy food!

Got some red potatoes and veggies on hand? Here is your chance to make a Mashed White Beans and Vegetables recipe that everyone will love. If you haven’t tried Mashed White Beans and Vegetables yet, watch this cooking video and try this recipe today!

Yield: 8 servings

Mashed White Beans and Vegetables

Ingredients

  • 1 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 3 pounds red potatoes, cut in 1 inch pieced
  • 2 - 15 ounce cans white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt, Kosher
  • Ground pepper to taste
  • Water as needed

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
  2. Add garlic, onion, celery and carrots to the pan. Sauté until the onion is soft.
  3. Stir in the potatoes and beans.
  4. Add enough water to cover the mixture by 2 inches.
  5. Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil.
  6. Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir in the salt.
  7. Simmer until the potatoes they are soft.
  8. Drain the mixture reserving at least 1 cup of the cooking liquid (you may need more).
  9. Mash the beans and vegetables together with a potato masher. Mix in 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Adjust the liquid to your desired consistency.
  10. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Notes

You do not have to peel the potatoes unless you want to. Make sure to rinse and scrub them before cutting them.

You can use any white, yellow, or red skinned waxy variety of potatoes.

See a cooking demonstration of this Mashed White Beans and Vegetables recipe on the Cooking Lessons for Dad YouTube channel.

© Karen Breyer

 

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