Happy Father’s Day! Dads and father figures play a pivotal role in our lives; they help us in many aspects from teaching us how to ride a bike to guiding us through driving lessons. Their hard work and dedication shape us, and they deserve to be celebrated for all that they do. This Father’s Day we have crafted a plan to help you show your appreciation and make the day truly special. Let’s celebrate the incredible dads out there!
To kick off the day, why not host a Father’s Day brunch? Combine the best of breakfast and lunch to celebrate. Prepare all your dad’s favourite dishes from fluffy pancakes to savoury breakfast casseroles. Gather round the table and enjoy a delicious meal together as a family, it’s the perfect way to start a great day. Why not try out this delicious and hearty breakfast bagel to start the day on the right foot:
Ingredients
1 bagel, split and toasted
4 slices of bacon
2 large eggs
2 slices of cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: sliced avocado, tomato, spinach leaves, hot sauce
Instructions
Cook the bacon: In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
Prepare the eggs: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the frying pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook the eggs to your desired taste, either sunny-side-up or over-easy.
Assemble the bagels: Place a slice of cheddar cheese on the bottom half of each toasted side. Top each with 2 slices of bacon, followed by a cooked egg. Add any optional toppings you like, such as sliced avocado, tomato, spinach leaves, or hot sauce. Place the top half of the bagel over the filling to complete the sandwiches.
Serve immediately: These breakfast bagels are best enjoyed hot and fresh. Serve them immediately for a delicious brunch.
After you have prepared a yummy brunch for your dad, why not then treat him to a beer tasting to crank up the celebration. You could buy him a tour of a local brewery, or a beer tasting experience at a bar. Or you could make one yourself at home for a memorable and budget friendly gift idea.
To create an enjoyable beer tasting experience you should first choose your selection. Having a range of styles is key to offering a varied tasting experience. Your options could include a lager. an IPA, a rich stout and many more. You could also source and highlight beers from your local breweries to add a personal touch. Once you have picked out your beers, you want to create an inviting atmosphere. Set up seating, music, and lighting to enhance the experience and you could even create or print out tasting mats that allow you and your dad to write down notes about each beer. To create an authentic experience, you should provide tasting notes including things such as the origin, appearance, flavour profile and the finish. Additionally, no tasting is complete without some complementary snacks that pair well with the beers, consider creating grazing platters that include things such as pretzels, cheese, nuts and charcuterie. When you begin to start tasting the beers, start with the lightest and progress to the darkest. This prevents overpowering your palate early on. To make the experience as authentic as possible you could encourage proper tasting techniques such as observing the colour, taking small sips, and savouring the flavours. Or to add an element of fun, why not do a blind tasting by covering the bottles and seeing if your dad can guess which is which.
After you host your successful beer tasting why not go on a leisurely walk in your local neighbourhood to get some fresh air, wind down and spend some quality time together. A DIY beer tasting, and walk is the perfect way to build up an appetite which sets the stage for the perfect time to start preparing a delicious three course dinner for your dad.
To create the perfect meal, you should consider your dads favourite dishes and tailor the meal to his preferences. However, if you need inspiration we have created a delicious three course dinner menu below.
Starter – Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
20 large mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 190°C
Prepare the Mushrooms:
Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and remove the stems.
Finely chop the stems and set them aside. Place the mushroom caps on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Cook the Filling:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the garlic and chopped mushroom stems, cooking until the stems are tender, about 3 minutes more.
Stir in the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Add the softened cream cheese and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stuff the Mushrooms:
Spoon the filling into each mushroom cap, pressing down slightly to ensure they are well-stuffed.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden brown.
Serve:
Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Main: Chicken Katsu Curry
Ingredients
For the Chicken Katsu:
4 chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil for frying
For the Curry Sauce:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey or sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
Sticky rice
Instructions
Chicken Katsu:
Preheat your oven to 175°C
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Place each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
Dip the chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
Coat the chicken with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry the chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.
Transfer the fried chicken to a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
Curry Sauce:
In a large saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and carrots, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Add minced garlic, curry powder, and garam masala. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
Gradually pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Add soy sauce and honey to the sauce, then bring to a simmer.
Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, or until thickened to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving:
Slice the cooked chicken katsu into strips.
Serve the chicken alongside cooked rice and ladle the curry sauce over the top.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Katsu Curry!
Dessert: Eton Mess
Ingredients
2 cups fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cups double cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-6 meringue nests, broken into small pieces
Instructions
In a bowl, combine the chopped strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the strawberries evenly in the sugar. Let the strawberries macerate for about 15-20 minutes, allowing them to release their juices.
In a separate mixing bowl, whip the double cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the broken meringue pieces into the whipped cream, being careful not to deflate the mixture too much.
To assemble the Eton Mess, layer the whipped cream and meringue mixture with the macerated strawberries in serving glasses or bowls. You can alternate layers or simply mix everything together, depending on your preference.
Optionally, garnish the top of each serving with a few extra strawberry slices or mint leaves for a decorative touch. This delicious three course meal is the perfect way to finish off a great day.
The fathers or father figures in our lives play a significant role and deserve recognition for all of their hard work. Whether you opt to draw inspiration from our suggested activities and meals or decide to come up with your own celebration, we hope you and your dad have a lovely day. Happy Father’s Day!