With Father’s Day a week away, it’s time to start thinking about what to get that special man in your life, to say thank you for all the wisdom, the advice and bad dad jokes throughout the year. And, as the saying goes, “the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” – and with these delicious but simple dishes, you are sure to put a smile on his face and fill his heart (and belly) with love. But don’t panic. it doesn’t need to be anything too fancy.
The thought and effort that goes into cooking from scratch are more than money can buy; you can swap and change any ingredients to tailor it to all his favourite flavours.
I’ve put together my top tips and tricks so that you can nail any recipe with little to no adult supervision (depending on your age, of course). And how you can truly make it a Father’s Day to remember and win you all the top kid points!
Pre-Preparation
Before you start any recipe, make sure to read and re-read it to ensure you know exactly what you are doing and to avoid missing out on any steps or ingredients when cooking.
Make sure to lay out all the cooking utensils, pans, bowls or jars you might need, too – this way they are in arm's reach when needed, and don’t need to be hunted for while you have something cooking on the stove. You want to minimise the risks as much as possible from the start.
Timing is Key
Make sure to get your timings right. If you are planning on making him breakfast in bed, make sure to give yourself enough time to get up, get ready and make the recipe before he gets out of bed.
You also don’t want to make something hot that is going to go cold, if he decides to sleep in or stay at the pub a little later.
Opting for a recipe you can make the night before, or at least some of the elements you can pre-prep, will make creating a dish run a lot smoother.
Cook Like A Chef
Just like with your equipment, make sure you have all your ingredients ready to go. Make sure to weigh them all out before starting (and label anything that closely resembles a different ingredient, like salt and sugar, so you don’t put the wrong ingredient in at the wrong time!)
I know this method creates more washing up, but it’s more beneficial in the long run. It ensures you have everything ready to go and helps the actual process go smoother. It’s a technique most professional chefs use, called ‘mise en place’ which loosely translates to “everything in place” and is game-changing when it comes to starting out in the kitchen.
Take Your Time
Go slow. It’s not a race. Especially if you have taken the above tips in to account and have given yourself plenty of time to prepare and cook.
Take things step by step and taste as you go. If you feel like it needs something else – something sweet, more salt, a bit more liquid – add it in.
Trust your gut instinct and your tastebuds and don’t be afraid to experiment a little. The recipe is there as a guideline, but you can also adapt it to suit tastes and likes.
Who knows, you could even make it better or it could become a family tradition recipe that’s passed down through the generations to come.
The Final Flourish
Presentation is always key. After you have slaved away in the kitchen, don’t let all that hard work go to waste. We eat with our eyes first so make sure the plating standard matches the cooking one.
Think about extras you can add – a cup of tea or beer on the side, extra garnishes like freshly chopped herbs, a dusting of cocoa or icing powder or topped with fresh seasonal berries.
If you are serving it to him in bed, his favourite newspaper and your card on the tray, too, always goes down a treat. Make sure to take your time and make it look as delicious as it tastes.
What’s on the Menu For Father's Day:
Father's Day Breakfast:
I love this one-pan breakfast. Not only is it a healthy way to start the day but it has everything you need in one pan which is a great way to cook if you are nervous or unsure about the timings of ingredients and are a little overwhelmed at the thought of having multiple pans cooking at once.
You can easily swap out the ingredients for your Dad’s favourites and even serve it 'Family Style' so everyone can tuck in together.
Another great option is this Breakfast Pizza – yes, you read that right. A. Breakfast. Pizza. Made using a base of oats and banana to make the crust you can then top it with all his favourite fruits and toppings.
You can get a little creative with this one, and the base can be made in advance. So a really great choice for time constraints or breaking it down into bite-size tangible tasks.
Father's Day Lunch or Dinner:
A great choice for Dads who love spice is this Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry. It’s packed full of flavour and nutritious ingredients and is the perfect comfort food fakeaway of his favourite curry.
You can tailor the spice levels to match his preferences and can make a proper meal out of it. Why not serve it up with an assortment of dips and flatbreads for a real feast.
This Healthy Burrito Bowl is one of my favourites to cook (and eat). You can add in all the different ingredients he loves and really makes it a bowl full of vibrant colours that taste as good as it looks.
You can cook each component separately, and even pre-prepare some the day before, you just need to put them all together on the day for a delicious lunch or dinner that is bursting with colour and flavour
Fathers' Day Dessert:
For the perfect ending to any Father's Day - especially for those with a sweet tooth, this is the ultimate gift. A Triple Chocolate Cheesecake that is super simple and just melts in the mouth. It takes a little longer to create as each layer needs to set, but it’s 100% worth the wait.
For a show-stopping dessert that even the beginner bakers will be able to pull off, these delicious Baked Apples are packed with spice, fruits and nuts and are the perfect way to end any day. Serve with his favourite ice cream and you are good to go.
What are your favourite celebration recipes? If you need more inspiration or any help you can always reach out to me via email or find me on my Facebook,Twitter or Instagram. Also if you want more healthy recipes, check out my Youtube channel. Loads of fabulous and easy recipes waiting for you there.
Much love,
Hedi
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