When Father’s Day comes around, there’s no better way to get the family together than by sharing a meal. Although it’s a day in which we show appreciation for dads, it's also a great opportunity to get the family together in one place. For home chefs, however, there’s something else that makes it extra special: the chance to elevate your culinary game by cooking something new and enjoyable for everyone.
So go ahead and challenge yourself to make this Father’s Day a memorable one by preparing something that’s crowd pleasing and proving to yourself that you can step up to the occasion!
Summer Starters
For a Father’s Day meal, be sure to begin with some starters. That way, everyone who arrives at the house will be welcome in an instant, no one will be left waiting impatiently for food, and you, the home chef, have a chance to start showcasing your skills in style.
Salads
There may be plenty of times for these dishes during summer, not only on Father’s Day. After all, you’ve got to enjoy the sunshine season while it lasts, that’s why it’s worth having a few alternative salads in your culinary repertoire to please family or friends each and every time. For that, see our Top 10 Summer Salads for Any Event.
Cool off by preparing this sweet and refreshing Cucumber, Pearl Couscous, Basil and Watermelon Salad. Aside from being a unique and colorful dish, it’s ideal for a hot summer’s day, whether you’re sitting beside the pool or waiting for the meat to cook on the grill.
Snacks and Spreads
But starters on a family get-together needn’t only be about salads. There are plenty of snacks and bites to keep everyone’s taste buds entertained while they wait for something hearty. You’re bound to make a good impression by preparing this Rice and Cheese Spread Recipe, a light and flavorful pre-meal snack!
Starters are just the beginning of the meal - there’s still a long way to go! Read on as we guide you through the next steps. Whether or not you already know how to build a menu for a special dinner, we’ll show you how to get it just right for Father’s Day!
Grilling Unforgettable Skewers
For a meaty main dish that’s still in line with the outdoor summer vibe, skewers are a fantastic option. They also give you the chance to get creative, adding different veggies to the mix for a variation of textures and flavors. Before we dive into some of the best skewers for that get-together, here are some quick tips.
Quick Tips for Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for half an hour before cooking. This keeps them damp and prevents them from burning.
Whatever you’re putting onto the grill or in the oven, you should cut them into even pieces. This helps them to cook evenly, but also helps for presentation and makes them more enjoyable to eat.
Make sure your skewers are spaced out from one and another, allowing them to cook evenly and making it easy for you to turn them throughout.
Brush the food on the skewers with oil before cooking. Not only does this help them to cook well, it also prevents sticking.
Turn the skewers regularly throughout. Do not make the common mistake of leaving one or two of them unturned for too long.
Chicken Skewers Recipes
Chicken is another great option for skewers as demonstrated by these Vietnamese Inspired Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Jasmati White Rice and Nuoc Cham. When served with a sweet Vietnamese dipping sauce, this dish is simply irresistible.
Popular across the globe, skewers can also be found in Middle Eastern cuisine in dishes such as this Moroccan Chicken Kabobs with Couscous Recipe. Spiced up by the flavors of ginger and fresh cumin, this is one way to make your chef game more worldly!
Beef Skewers Recipes
In this Tri-Color Couscous with Grilled Beef Skewers Recipe, you can treat the family to a juicy meat that sits in a flavorful marinade before being cooked and served with RiceSelect® Tri-Color Couscous.
Another backyard favorite is this Beef Kabobs with Parmesan Orzo Recipe. With tasty beef, bell peppers, garlic, Parmesan cheese and Italian dressing, you’ll have the ideal meat accompaniment to orzo, a versatile pasta ingredient that brings a unique twist to your meal.
Grilled Steak and More
When beef steak is cut into slices and served with mango salsa and couscous to soak it all up, the result is a unique flavor combo that’s hard to top. This Grilled Steak with Mango Salsa Recipe is a sure way to please steak lovers!
But you could also go for this Grilled Pork, Couscous and Dried Cherry Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette, a sweet and zesty dish to satisfy the appetite of the whole family as the evening sun goes down.
Grilled Vegetable Dishes
Grilling vegetables is one of the most effective ways to enhance their flavor. Once you’ve got them just right, you can try adding some couscous to make this Grilled Vegetable Couscous Recipe which works well either as a main or a flavorful dish.
At any barbecue or celebration, it’s always worth remembering to have some vegetarian options handy to include those who have a meat-free diet. This Grilled Veggie Burger Recipe has all the flavors of any high quality burger meal, but without the meat!
Desserts
If you’re going to cook a Father’s Day Meal, it’s worth doing it right by ending with a dessert! This Jasmati® Coconut Lime Rice Pudding Recipe is sweet, refreshing and should be served cold to end the meal with a light and delicious farewell to the feast.
There are plenty more dessert options to choose from, but the key is to keep it light and small during summer.
With RiceSelect®, you’ll never be short of options with our cooking tips for home chefs!