Forget the socks and ties this Father’s Day. Instead, focus on Dad’s favorite things to have on the table. Here are a few ideas to help get you started making the perfect meal that fits your father’s style.
The Grillmaster Dad
Father’s Day coincides with grilling season, and what better way to kick off the summer than celebrating Dad with an assortment of his favorite grilled meats, from burgers to ribeye and sausage rings. If you’re looking for deals on meat, see our weekly ad for specials from our butcher shop.
How to Gourmet the Day: Remember you can grill fruits and veggies as well as meat. Grilled watermelon or pineapple adds an unexpected twist to the table. You can also try this Grilled Espresso Tri-Tip Roast from The Spruce.
The Downhome Daddy
Simple things done well are often the most satisfying. For the dad who loves Southern soul food, classic fried chicken with all the fixings is the way to go. Don’t forget the fluffy mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and coleslaw.
How to Gourmet the Day: The secret to delectable fried chicken is marinating the meat in buttermilk overnight. If you have any buttermilk left over, these Cheddar Chive Biscuits from Williams Sonoma will put your Father’s Day meal over the top.
The Seafood Fiend Father
In June, you’ll find plenty of fresh Florida seafood in season, from shrimp and clams to grouper, flounder, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi. You’ll get bonus points if you catch it yourself, but you can find some of the best seafood around at Doris seafood counters.
How to Gourmet the Day: Bring a bit of Southern Spain to South Florida with a delicious Seafood Paella from Epicurious. Not only will the house smell amazing, paella always makes an impression on the table and is perfect for sharing.
The Very Vegetarian Dad
Gone are the days when all vegetarians had to look forward to was some sad, unseasoned steamed veggies on a plate. Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines tend to treat their vegetables better than others. So, you can delight Dad by ordering a smorgasbord from his favorite Lebanese or Greek place. You can also find a variety of meat substitutes so he can have a juicy, flavor-filled burger along with everyone else.
How to Gourmet the Day: Make your own Black Bean Burger with Pioneer Woman’s recipe. You can make your own hand-cut fries, but give it that gourmet flair with these Fried Artichoke Hearts from Food 52.
The Pasta Lovin’ Papa
Pasta can make for a quick midweek meal, or it can be a time-consuming journey to a divine dining experience. We recommend going all out for Dad on this day either by making everything yourself or ordering his favorite pasta-based meal from his favorite restaurant.
How to Gourmet the Day: Great pasta starts like every other great meal — with great ingredients. Think about splurging on the perfect cheese or adding truffles. If you want, try your hand at homemade pasta with this recipe from Bon Appetit.
The Sweet Tooth Daddio
Never forget the dessert, but make sure it’s just as meaningful as the rest of the meal. Maybe you can re-create a favorite memory by picking up the pastry or sweet treat he used to share with his father. If Dad is focusing on his health, you can make something like a yogurt parfait or a low- or no-sugar version of his favorite dessert.
How to Gourmet the Day: Make your own Zeppole di San Giuseppe, an Italian dessert associated with the celebration of St. Joseph’s Day on March 19. This is also Father’s Day in many European countries. If you want to make your own, here is a recipe on the Doris blog.
