Focusing On Fathers

Father’s Day is a special occasion that gives us the opportunity to express our love and gratitude to our dads and father figures. This year, why not celebrate with Dad by cooking up some unforgettable memories? 

Whether your father figure is a master chef or doesn’t know the difference between an apple and onion, there are plenty of recipes ranging from a variety of difficulties that you can try out together. And if cooking isn’t your family’s thing, there’s no lack of local restaurants you can choose to support during a nice night out. 

There’s no greater way to start Father’s Day than by bringing out the grill, a forever fan-favorite of fathers and father figures everywhere. Whether you’re running out of Father’s Day gift ideas, or just need a way to make your dad feel like the “man of the house,” grilling is the way to go. There’s no lack of grilling accessories to buy, if you’re in need of gift ideas. Does your dad need a new spatula set? A new apron with a dad joke on it? The possibilities are endless. But also, don’t forget that quality time is the best gift of all. Spend an afternoon learning the secret ingredients and steps to make your dad’s famous steaks while you reminisce over childhood memories and inside jokes.

If you are in a competitive spirit, try a fun cook-off challenge between you and dad—and let Mom be the judge! This is a great way to add some friendly competition to your celebration and keep things exciting in the kitchen. Choose a specific recipe or dish theme to recreate and try to make the tastiest meal. You can even add some stakes to the competition: whoever loses has to clean the kitchen. Maybe you can earn some bonus points for creativity, too!

If you are an outdoorsy family, consider taking the time to head over to your local park and have a family picnic, complete with your dad’s favorite foods and snacks. Nothing beats a nice day out with your family and all your favorite fun eats. You could even do meal-prep together, and spend time making old family dishes to bring along. 

This would be a great opportunity to spend some quality time with family as well as nature. You could also make a day of it, and along with having a family picnic, take some updated family photos and later use those photos for your annual Father’s Day Facebook post. 

If you would rather spend the night in, consider preparing a special meal together for the family. Cook up one of your dad’s favorite dishes or try something new to share with everyone. Gather at the dinner table and share your highs and lows of the day before diving into your freshly cooked meal. You can even complete dinner with a fun family game or movie night (after you help clean up the kitchen)!

And don’t  forget to shop local this Father’s Day season. With many locally-owned businesses that specialize in customizable clothes or goodies, great local restaurants, and even a few local breweries you can tour together, there is no lack of local businesses you can support while also supporting those you love.

Cooking with Dad can be a great bonding experience to celebrate this upcoming Father’s Day, allowing you to spend quality time together while creating something delicious and fun. Whether you are cooking up that special meal together or acting like rivals in the kitchen for your competitive cook-off, it is sure to be a memorable experience you can both cherish for years to come.

Sweet & Spicy Pork Loin w/ Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 lb pork tenderloin
• 1/4 cup Sweet Red Chili Sauce, I used Thai Kitchen
• 1 tbsp honey 
• 1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce, or more to taste

For the salsa:

• 1 large ripe mango, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp minced jalapeño, seeds removed and diced
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

Instructions:

• For the salsa: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Refrigerate salsa until ready to serve. Makes 1 cup.
• Preheat oven to 375°. Mix garlic salt and ginger in small bowl. Rub evenly over pork. Place pork on rack in foil-lined roasting pan.
• Roast pork in preheated oven 40 to 45 minutes or until desired pork is cooked to your liking. (New pork guidelines allow pork to cook to 145°, if you prefer it cooked well, cook it until the internal temp reads is 160° with a meat thermometer)
• Mix chili sauce, honey and sriracha in small bowl.
• Brush over pork during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Slice pork and serve with pan juices and mango salsa on the side.

Notes: Makes 4 servings