To celebrate fathers June 19, clean Dad’s lawn chair and let him relax under a shady tree.
Offer him a round of golf or watch a favourite sport with him. And fill his heart and stomach with love.
While working in a food lab at the local high school, I surveyed students to discover their fathers’ favourite meals.
They included steak, baked potatoes and a chocolate dessert.
My kids and I came up with a grill friendly menu that is sure to please Dad.
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MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD
This dish can be made ahead of time.
1 head of cauliflower
1 head of broccoli
1 1/2 c. cherry tomatoes 375 ml
1 c. fresh sliced mushrooms 250 mL
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 c. zesty Italian dressing375 mL dCut the cauliflower and broccoli into florets in a large sealable bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and cucumbers.
Stir to blend and pour dressing over top. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours or overnight. Stir before serving. Serves eight.
Source: www.cooks.com.
BAKED AND GRILLED POTATOES
4 baking potatoes
1 tbsp. oil
15 mL1 tsp. salt
5 mL1/2 c. sour cream
125 mL
22 c. shredded cheddar 1 cheese25 mL ch green onions
1/4 c. bacon bits 60 mL spr
inkle of chopped fresh dill
Poke potatoes with a fork and rub with oil. Sprinkle with salt. Microwave potatoes on high power for eight minutes or until tender, turning halfway through. Place potatoes on a heated grill and cook for approximately 12 minutes until potatoes are crisp. Turn frequently. Remove from heat and place on a serving plate. Cut the potatoes in half and top with sour cream, cheese, onions, bacon bits and fresh dill or parsley or garnish.
GRILLED SIRLOIN STEAK
1/3 c. zesty Italian 75 dressing, divided mL dre boneless beef sirloin steaks
2 yellow peppers, cut into quarters
1/2 c. barbecue sauce 12 of your choice5 mL of a
t the barbecue to medium-high heat. Remove steaks from marinade and discard marinade.
Place the steaks and peppers on the grill and brush peppers with the remaining dressing. Cook for five minutes on each side or until done to your liking. Brush with barbecue sauce and place on a serving plate. Let stand for eight to 10 minutes and serve. Serves four.
Source: Kraft.com.
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH STRAWBERRIES
1 1/2 c. milk, divided 375 mL
1 square of semi-sweet chocolate
1 package of four serving size chocolate instant pudding
1 c. plus 2 tbsp. whipped cream or topping, divided
1/2 c. strawberries 125 mL
Microwave one cup (250 mL) milk and chocolate square in a large bowl on medium power for two minutes. Stir to make sure it is well combined. Add remaining milk and dry pudding mix.
Place steaks in a shallow pan. Pour dressing over top, reserving two tablespoons for the peppers. Turn meat to evenly coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes to marinate.
Beat for another two minutes. Cool in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Whisk one cup of the whipped cream or topping into the chocolate mixture and scoop into dessert bowls. Top with remaining whipped cream and strawberries. Source: www.kraftcanada.com.
PUFFED WHEAT CAKE
Dads will love this traditional treat.
1 c. brown sugar 250 mL
1/2 c. corn syrup 125 mL
1/2 c. butter or margarine 125 mL
5 tbsp. cocoa 75 mL
1 tsp. vanilla 5 mL
8 c. puffed wheat 2 L
Combine sugar, syrup, butter and cocoa in a pan and cook over medium heat until bubbling. Let bubble for approximately three minutes, then remove from heat, add vanilla and stir. Pour over puffed wheat and mix. Press into a 9 X 13 inch pan (22 X 33 cm). Cool and enjoy.
Source: Prairie Pouches &Friends Cookbook, www.prairiepoochesrescue.com.
SUNSHINE SMARTS
Don’t forget the sunscreen this Father’s Day. Sunburns can contribute to skin cancer.
The annual Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen safety guide is out. Sun blocks with zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect light off the skin and are a smart choice, but products that contain oxybenzone, now being labelled a hormone disrupting compound, should be used with caution.
To see a full list of the best non-toxic and effective brands, visit ewg.org.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and a member of Team Resources. Contact: team@producer.com.
