A Father’s Day Post..

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Picnic June 7th 2013 (17)

Dad and his girl at a picnic at Inch Abbey, just outside Downpatrick, a few years ago..

Several companies emailed me recently to ask if I wished to opt out of father’s day posts. I said ‘yes please, thank-you-very-much’ but obviously the PA systems in several of my local shops didn’t get the memo..

For those of us with just fond memories of Dad, it can be a sad reminder.  My Dad, being a pragmatic kinda guy, didn’t subscribe to any of that old ‘Father’s day’ palaver anyway.

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This is one of my favourite pictures of Dad with my sisters and brother. Taken by me on my old Instamatic camera in our back garden in the early 70s

Having said that, he was always more than happy to eat the sweets and cake that came his way on Father’s Day! He had a real sweet tooth, and loved nothing more than a box of  Liquorice Allsorts, and a nice cake, made especially for him.

So let’s see what Eating for Ireland has to offer for Dads, Father figures, Step Dads, people like a Father to me/you, Mums who double-up as Dads, Dads-to-be, and anyone else that I’ve missed out..

Here are some suggestions, although there are masses of alternatives on the Eating for Ireland website – don’t forget: it’s free, and there are no ads! :

LUNCH AT HOME:

You’ll know best what your Dad likes, but my experience of Fathers always points me in the direction of traditional plain food!

Pate to start? Chicken Liver Pate (7)

 

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/my-chicken-liver-pate

Roast Chicken?

This one’s got bacon AND stuffing as well – you can’t go wrong! Easily prepped ahead, and refrigerated until you want to cook it..

Chicken wrapped in bacon (1)

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/stuffed-chicke…-bacon-parcels

Try it with my delicious creamy Potato Gratin

duck with potatoes gratin

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/creamy-scallop…c-and-rosemary

Beef lover?

You literally can’t go wrong with my delicious Malaysian Beef Curry.. Make it the day before for an easy Father’s Day lunch!

Sweet Beef and Coconut Curry (3)

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/malaysian-beef-curry

Vegetarian Dad?

Try my Sicilian Vegetarian Lasagne – make it a couple of days beforehand – it tastes all the better reheated!Lasagna Siciliana (2)

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/la-lasagna-siciliana

A FATHER’S DAY PICNIC?

Head off to Dad’s favourite spot  – Irish weather permitting – get the rugs and wind-breaks out, and have a yummy picnic!

Try my homemade Hummus and Tapenade:

Houmous.. (15)

Tapanade and crostini (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/make-your-own-hummus

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/black-olive-an…ato-tapenade-2

How about my bacon-wrapped chicken (recipe above) cooked, cooled and sliced? It’s one of my favourite picnic foods – a couple of salads and you’re sorted!

chicken and bacon 4

Another huge Picnic favourite are these puff pastry pinwheels.. so yummy!

Goats cheese and red onion marmalade roll-ups

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/goats-cheese-a…alade-roll-ups

DESSERTS:

Well let’s face it, what self-respecting Dad is going to say NO to a trifle? :)

My Cheat’s Chocolate Trifle is welcome any time of year..

trifle (2)

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/the-easiest-ev…ristmas-trifle

I also have a summer version, using Blueberry Muffins, a homemade (so, so easy) Blueberry Compote, and frozen or fresh Summer berries. – it looks less ‘wintery’ than the Chocolate version, and is just as delicious.

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/blueberry-compote

For me, nothing can beat a batch of scones, some homemade jam or Lemon Curd (my Dad’s favourite), perhaps some fresh berries, and a dollop of cream.

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/home-made-scones

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/home-made-lemon-curd

scones 3

This dessert travels really well too, for a post-Picnic treat, or for serving up in someone else’s house. Just bring all the components separately, and let everyone build their own scone!

scones (2)

And finally… Chocolate cake! This family favourite recipe of mine will hit that chocolaty spot every time! Add some fresh Raspberries and some fresh cream for that extra special touch!

https://eatingforireland.com/recipe/hilarys-all-in…chocolate-cake

chocolate cake 3

These are just a few suggestions, so if you don’t see anything you – or your Dad – fancy here, there are so many more suggestions and recipes available on the eating for Ireland website

www.eatingforireland.com

Have a lovely father’s day!!

About

I started writing down recipes in an old copybook when I was about 16. With 6 children at home, my Mother was always glad of a hand in the kitchen, and really allowed us to experiment - as long as we washed up afterwards, and left the kitchen immaculate! Having a tidy kitchen has followed me through my life, as has the habit of writing down my favourite recipes; except that these days I write them for my website, and add photographs when I can. The website really started when it occurred to me that my daughter might like to have these recipes when I've forgotten them. In my early days of cooking for family and friends, I used to phone my Mum all the time to ask her for the recipe for some of our favourite family dinners. She rarely had a recipe to hand - I think, like me, she made a lot of it up as she went along.. So welcome to Eating for Ireland - these are the recipes that my friends and family having been eating these past 40 years.. yes, I truly am ancient! They are tried and tested, and have worked for me for all that time - I have updated them as new ingredients became available - I really hope you'll find something that you can make into a family favourite of your own. You don't have to tell anyone where you found these great new dishes that you're serving up - it can be our little secret, but I'd really love it if you could give me a sneaky 'follow' on Facebook and Instagram.. So off you go - have a good rummage around, you're bound to find something new! My sincere thanks to all of you who have found a recipe that you liked and dropped me a line to tell me - I really do love to hear from you! Happy Cooking! Becks xx

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