Father's Day Round Up

Want to celebrate your dad on Father’s Day? Here is a round-up of some of my most delicious recipes to make for the sweetest guy in your life!


Appetizers & Salads


Artsy Crudite Platter with Ranch Dip & Guac

I always feel like it is such a treat when your food is healthy and looks like a piece of art! You will love letting your creative side shine on this healthy and gorgeous Crudité Platter. The healthy dips and gorgeous design of this platter will get everyone to eat their veggies.  Easy to enjoy throughout the day!

Kalamata Olive Tapenade

Tapenade is an easy Provencal dip consisting of olives and olive oil. This dip is excellent served for a holiday appetizer with crackers or vegetables for dipping, but it can also be spread onto sandwiches, tossed into pasta or dolloped on Buddha bowls as well.

Tapenade Cucumber Bites

Tapenade is a delicious treat to have as a topping on baked fish or a perfect appetizer. Add it to practically anything on your Father’s Day spread! This recipe uses cucumbers instead of bread or crackers to maintain a crunch while being entirely plant based and a much healthier alternative to grains.

Sun Dried Tomato Cauliflower Flatbreads with Pesto

This is not your ordinary Toast, this is made with Cali’flour Foods flatbreads made from cauliflower with zesty sun-dried tomatoes.  These little flatbreads are absolutely delicious and are gluten and grain-free and keto-friendly. Serve them up as an easy weeknight dinner or an appetizer for your next get-together.

Whipped Tahini & Crudite Platter

Looking for an easy gorgeous appetizer to serve guests this Father’s Day? Look no further. This Whipped Tahini and Crudite Platter is not only beautiful, it’s healthy, and quick to throw together! Perfect to make in the summer with all the fresh produce that is available. Your guests will keep going back for bites!

Italian Kale Chips  - 3 Ways!

Kale Chips are a great replacement for potato or corn chips and these zesty kale chips will satisfy all your cravings between Sea Salt, Truffle oil and Parmesan! Serve as a snack or appetizer this Father’s Day.

Grain Free Spanikopita

Spanakopita is one of my absolute favorite Greek recipes but gluten free Phyllo is hard to find or make and grain free Phyllo is even harder to create! I decided to try and make these tasty spinach feta pies with the use of  Cappello’s Grain Free Lasagna Sheets and they tuned out amazing!

Prosciutto Wrapped Pears & Honey

Pears are a delicious fruit and wrapping them in salty prosciutto and topping it with sweet honey and savory thyme is the most delicious bite you can imagine. These tasty wraps work great as a Father’s Day appetizer or easy dinner want something beautiful and light.

Marinated Olives

Anytime I am out to dinner and Marinated Olives are on the menu I always have to order them. They seem like such a fancy luxurious way to eat olives. This recipe is so simple and delicious and will elevate your olives each time Mom eats them she'll be incapable of eating from a jar plain again.

Whipped Ricotta with Peaches & Herbs

There is nothing more delicious then a light and airy whipped ricotta, unless its topped with Peaches and Herbs! This cloudy whip will send dad’s tastebuds into a simple yet delicious blend of honey and herbs along with the peaches and cheese. Who said ricotta is just for lasagne?

Pizza Chaffles

What if I told you that you can enjoy all of the pizza flavors without any of the carbs and enjoy it as a waffle format? Well good news! You can with this delicious Pizza Chaffle recipe! Chaffles are delicious Keto waffle concoctions of cheese and eggs and you can enjoy them as a traditional waffle with butter and maple syrup or as a savory Chaffle like this masterpiece. For a fun brunch or snack, choose Chaffles!

Tuscan Kale Salad

This simple Kale Salad is packed with flavors and is perfect for Father’s Day. Add some avocados if you want to make it extra filling or top it with steak to be a meal on its own. The lemon massaged kale comes to life in your mouth the zesty and herby dressing.

Shave Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples & Cranberries

Brussels Sprouts are a classic American vegetable that are often cooked rather than served raw. In this shaved salad recipe, you can appreciate Brussels sprouts’ natural, crunchy texture and earthy taste, which is wonderful paired with the sweet apples and cranberries and tossed with some winter citrus and herbs. D

Stone Fruit & Proscciutto Salad

If you are excited for summer, this salad is summer on a plate. The Fresh Arugula with Stone Fruits combine perfectly with creamy burrata and crispy prosciutto. You will want to eat this every day while the last of stone fruit is in season.

Heirloom Tomato & Watercress Salad

Nothing says summer like vine-ripened Heirloom Tomatoes. When they are in season they are one of the most glorious flavors this Earth has to offer. Pair them with an herby citrus dressing and peppery watercress and it is a match made in heaven.

Salmon


Whipped Cream Cheese & Cucumber Salmon Bites

Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon are a match made in heaven and pair perfectly on this grain free “bagel bite” that uses a sturdy and hydrating slice of cucumber as it’s base. Teach dad that he can enjoy something fancier than cheese and crackers!

Avocado & Salmon TAP NYC Wrap

Tap NYC is one of my favorite NYC restaurants and I stop in at least once on every visit to NYC. 

This Avocado & Salmon TAP NYC Wrap includes a smooth guacamole-type mixture with smoked salmon slices. This would be particularly great for breakfast, but feel free to have it for lunch if you and dad are spending Father’s Day golfing, fishing, or spending time outside.

Caribbean Salmon Bowl

This unique fish bowl is wonderful to enjoy during this Father’s Day with its tropical flavors of coconut and mango. Salmon is a firm-fleshed fatty fish that is rich in vitamins B12 and D, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids and selenium making it a great choice for your table any day of the week. Although any mango will taste great in this rice bowl, search for one that is ripe but still firm fleshed so that it is easy to dice into cubes without becoming mush.

Baked Dill Salmon

Fresh salmon, lemon and dill are a natural pairing and its no wonder since fruity lemon and fragrant dill infuse into the fish so well. Choose wild salmon for this dish, which much more nutrient dense than farmed salmon.

You can find this recipe and more in my book, Wandering Palate. It almost makes a great Father’s Day gift!

Baked Lemon Salmon

Fish is the ideal protein for when you need dinner or lunch on the table fast and this salmon dish comes together in less than an hour. The addition of fresh herbs, lemon and briny capers will make this one of the most delicious salmon dishes you have ever eaten. 

This is another wonderful recipe you can make with dad from my book, Wandering Palate

Orange Salmon

Fresh salmon takes on sweet and tangy flavors so well which is why this Orange Salmon should make it onto everyone’s table. The salmon is glazed in an orange sauce that is balanced out by garlic, onion powder and fresh herbs, and is particularly delicious when served with crisp green vegetables, or even hot cooked rice or cauliflower rice. This dish also looks elegant and would be ideal to serve the next time you want to celebrate Father’s Day with the best dad.

Pan Fried Garlic Salmon

Garlic loving dads will adore this fried fish using freshly minced garlic in the butter sauce. So crack open my book, Wandering Palate and get cooking!

Salmon Cakes

These Salmon Cakes may look complicated since they start with fresh salmon, but rest assured, they aren’t. Don’t let dad know and he’ll be duly impressed this Father’s Day! Fresh fish cooks quickly and once it is baked, it is a simple mix and sear for color before serving.

Seafood


Baked Halibut with Pineapple Salsa

Fresh and Easy Halibut Dinner topped with a pineapple salsa! Only six ingredients is all you need to make this baked halibut recipe. It’s a great snack or side for Father’s Day!

Crab Cakes

Pair these Crab Cakes with the Salmon Cakes above and you’ll really impress this Father’s Day. These crispy crab cakes are prepared with almond flour for a gluten-free alternative. Plenty of fresh herbs and lemon juice makes these cakes taste healthy and fresh even though they are fried.

Fish Tacoes with Roasted Green Salsa

Fish Tacos are a California staple - and a super fun dish to share this Father’s Day. The filling is always the star of the dish, but equally important is the delivery method - the tortilla! For those of us who are gluten-free my favorite taco is a Cassava taco and I was able to share this delicious recipe in collaboration with Coyotas. This dish is so flavorful and bright. It packs the punch of summer and sun.

Grain-Free Fish and Chips

If dad misses having Fish and Chips in his grain free life, you and he are going to love this recipe! Made with cassava flour, this grain free fish and chips recipe is golden brown and delicious!

Halibut En Papilote

This halibut parcel becomes a full meal when paired with sliced potatoes and asparagus spears. If tight on time this Father’s Day, consider preassembling packages in the morning so they are ready to pop in the oven around dinner time. Find this recipe my book, Wandering Palate.

Lemon Cream Sole

Delicate sole fillets are flavorful with a creamy lemon sauce and salty capers. Open up my book, Wandering Palate and try out this flavorful dish with dad!

Pan Fried Arctic Char

Want to show off this Father’s Day with an a-typical fish choice? Dad will love this recipe from my book, Wandering Palate. Arctic char is a meaty fish similar to salmon or trout, and can be a pink or red color. Searing fish is a great way to amplify its taste as you can achieve crispy skin and a golden exterior.

Pistachio Crusted Cod

Pistachios add bright green flair, nutty taste and crunchy texture to tender cod. Although This Meal looks incredibly impressive and fit for a dinner party, it is so easy to prepare any night of the week. But be sure to tell dad you put in a lot of hard work with this dish!

Scallops With Lemon Butter

Scallops are incredibly fast cooking but best when they have a chance to caramelize on the outside. To do this, butter and high heat are essential, and the butter also becomes part of the tangy, lemony sauce. This recipe from my book, Wandering Palate is the perfect appetizer for you to show off with this Father’s Day!

Shrimp Tacos

Juicy, lime flavored shrimp are excellent when you need a protein fast to satisfy a taco craving. These shrimp cook so quickly and are perfect when paired with a sweet and tangy mango salsa just follow the steps in my book, Wandering Palate .


Beef


Bacon Wrapped Burger

Open my book, Wandering Palate for this classic Father’s Day option. Juicy beef burgers are made better and even more flavorful by being wrapped in smoky bacon. Cooking these in a cast iron skillet means less mess since you can sear on the stove and transfer the pan directly to the oven.

Beef Empanadas

Graduate from the Burger with this recipe my book, Wandering Palate. Beef empanadas can be an everyday food when you have this recipe at your side. This filling takes moments to prepare on the stove while the dough consists of just four grain-free ingredients.

Beef with Broccoli

Homemade beef with broccoli is just as good as your favorite take-out version by preparing in the Instant Pot. Follow my book, Wandering Palate with dad to prep this filling meal for Father’s Day. The pressure cooker makes the beef very tender and this saucy mixture is excellent served over Coconut Cauliflower Rice.

Flank Steak

Flank steak is one of the healthiest beef cuts; very lean and with a lot of flavor. As such, it is ideal in several preparations other than grilling, such as stir-frying or stuffing and roasting - lots of options to impress this Father’s Day! Find this recipe in my book, Wandering Palate.

Flat Iron Steak

Flat iron steak is the American name for the cut known as butlers' steak in the U.K. Since this steak can dry out quickly, grilling or searing is ideal to control the doneness more easily. Grilling is a staple of the Father’s Day experience and you can perfect this steak with my book, Wandering Palate.

Grill Picanha

Grilled Picanha is a Brazilian staple but is one of my favorite cuts of meat. If you dad has never have picanha before Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to try it. Often referred to as a Top Sirloin Cap, it is known for its flavorful fat cap that infuses the meat while it cooks.

Grilled Tri-Tip & Veggies

Tri-tip is a sizeablesteak that is leaner than other cuts and has beefy rich flavor. I have the perfect Father’s Day spread in my book, Wandering Palate. This grilled version with zucchini and tomatoes is a great way to sample this delicious cut, especially when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen.

Hanger Steak

A hanger steak or butcher's steak deserves more attention because it is incredibly melt-in-your-mouth tender which makes it ideal for simple grilling without the need for marinating. If you are looking for a quick and easily grill this Father’s Day find it in my book, Wandering Palate and share duties with dad!

Instant Pot Beef Brisket

This melt-in-your-mouth brisket is incredibly tender and delicious with a spice coating. Also, while a traditional oven brisket may take a few hours to make, a pressure cooker cooks it in a fraction of the time to equally flavorful results. Make this for your Father’s Day spread and walk away from it.

Instant Pot Osso Buco

Osso Buco is exactly the type of dish that is perfect for the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot breaks down the sinew so that the meat is super tender and fall-off-the-bone. There is also an incredibly flavorful and tangy sauce with notes of rosemary and thyme to drizzle over roasted potatoes or even mashed potatoes or cauliflower for a dreamy finish to your Father’s Day dinner.

Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs

This warming, stick-to-your-ribs dish is perfectly impressive - dad will love it! The Instant Pot does the trick to fully tenderize beef short ribs so that they are fall apart tender with a beefy, slightly tangy sauce. Collard greens are a wonderful side, as they are fresh and contrast the richness of the beef. If preferred, however, serve the beef on top of something that can sop up the sauce like cauliflower mash or mashed potatoes.

Instant Spot Shredded Beef Tacos

These tacos involve melt-in-your-mouth beef, flavorful Pico and creamy avocado. The beef cooks in the Instant Pot which means that most of the cooking is hands-off. Simply let the pressure cooker do all the work before shredding into bite-sized pieces and serving in lettuce or cassava taco shells. Plenty of options to give dad exactly what he wants this Father’s Day!

Italian Meatlballs in Tomato Cream Sauce

Juicy, homemade beef meatballs, seasoned with fresh herbs gets served with an easy dairy-free tomato cream sauce. You can serve these meatballs and tomato cream sauce over a grain free pasta or zucchini noodles for a healthy Father’s Day dinner!

Juicy Ribeye

Crack open my book, Wandering Palate for this jaw dropping recipe just in time for Father’s Day. The ribeye has a nice marbling of fat which makes it one of the richest steaks you will ever try.

New York Strip Steak

The strip steak is a very popular cut which is incredibly tender and full of flavor. In my book, Wandering Palate I’ll show you how to make the best strip to celebrate dad this year.

Rosemary Roast Beef

Roast beef is the perfect Father’s Day roast for a family. It is fast to prepare, takes only an hour or so in the oven, and can go with almost any side dishes that you choose, like mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, or roasted vegetables. This version is scented with hearty rosemary, which can hold up well in the oven.

Rosemary Steak

This Rosemary steak is made with just a few simple ingredients and is simple to prepare! It’s a perfect dish if you’re hosting your whole family this Father’s Day. The key to this steak is pounding it down thin and letting it marinate before searing it off in a cast-iron skillet. I was also very excited to use my new Nakano Chef Knife on this steak too. Every kitchen needs a good chef’s knife!

Skirt Steak

Although similar to flank steak this cut is favored more for its taste rather than its texture. As such, it is best to grill or stir-fry this steak quickly or braise in order to tenderize. Make it from my book, Wandering Palate, make it delicious, and make it quick right when the Father’s Day festivities begin.

Chicken


Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken

These chicken breasts are relatively easy to make but look incredibly impressive on the Father’s Day dinner table. The bacon on the outside is dual purpose since it helps hold in the filling but also bastes the chicken breasts in its juices as they cook. As a result, the chicken will be very tender and juicy, instead of being dried out. Try serving these with a tossed green salad, roasted vegetables or blanched green beans for a complete meal.

Buttermilk Chicken Strips

The combination of coconut and almond flour adds surprising texture to the outside of the chicken tenders, as well as a pleasing nutty flavor. These make the perfect snack or starter for Father’s Day! Find it in my book, Wandering Palate.

Chicken Piccata

Here’s another impressive chicken dish from my book, Wandering Palate. This chicken dish is bright tasting and zingy with lots of fragrant lemon zest and briny capers. The cream sauce can be prepared with dairy or coconut milk, which means this Piccata is accessible to dairy-restricted dads this Father’s Day as well.

Chicken Satay

Traditional chicken satay is known for peanut dipping sauce. Here, peanut sauce is turned paleo appropriate by using almond or cashew butter instead. It’s a tangy finger food perfect for Father’s Day! Follow this steps in my book, Wandering Palate and use any leftovers of this creamy dip for homemade lettuce wraps or as a dressing for salads.

Chicken Skillet

This one-pan meal features chicken breasts and earthy green Brussels sprouts, which cook together so the sprouts pick up the chicken juices as you’ll see in my book, Wandering Palate. Fruity green olives and woody herbs add interesting flavors to this otherwise simple dish. Elevate your Father’s Day menu with this dish.

Chimichurri Chicken

Delicate tasting chicken becomes super flavorful by being marinated in a bright and herbacious sauce. Classic chimichurri sauces are dominated by parsley and this one is no different. A healthy blend of lemon and additional herbs give the sauce nuance and make it perfect to drizzle over everything. Use it on any meat you plan to grill, such as pork or beef too. If dad loves spice you must make this!

Grain-Free & Keto Chicken Sandwich

Who says a chicken sandwich needs to be full of carbs? This entirely keto and paleo chicken sandwich is carb free! The secrete ingredient is Pork Panko for the breading and using an avocado bun. There is no going back from here. Pair with my burger recipe above to a delicious Father’s Day spread!

Instant Pot Honey Chicken

From my book, Wandering Palate comes Honey Chicken. The Instant Pot makes lean chicken breast extremely tender in very little time. Serve this sticky honey chicken over coconut cauli rice for a complete Father’s Day meal.

Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

This delicious shredded chicken is the Mexican answer to your shredded meat cravings, filled with spices and the tanginess of lime. An integral part of this recipe is the Pili Hunters Buyo Fermented Hot Sauce, which is Filipino-inspired consisting of calamansi, chilies, garlic, and tamarind. This sauce really adds some complexity to an incredibly easy dish. Serve this as is over a green salad or inside my grain-free hard shell tacos or grain-free tortillas for a full Father’s Day spread.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

The uses for shredded chicken are endless. Make a batch in your Instant Pot, store it in the fridge the day before Father’s Day to bring it out on the day to add to salads or healthy bowls. Alternatively, toss the cooked chicken with a sauce and stuff into cassava tortillas or lettuce leaves for tacos.

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

Complexly flavored chicken tikka masala is made easy by combining in an Instant Pot to pressure cook until tender. For the best taste, make sure your spices are as fresh as possible before beginning this recipe. Set them aside according to my book, Wandering Palate before the family comes over for Father’s Day.

Lemon Artichoke Chicken

Does dad love chicken in a creamy sauce, but doesn’t have time to make it in addition to your favorite sides? Rest assured, this version is easy and is a full meal with the addition of artichokes to the pan. The dish is creamy and delicious with capers, herbs and lemon for freshness, and is as ideal for a date night in as it is for when you are in a hurry and need something on the table fast.

Lemon, Dill, Chicken & Rice Skillet

One pan meals make life so easy and this savory chicken skillet packs in all the flavors with a bed of lemon dill rice made with chicken bone broth to make it extra nutritious. It’s fast and flavorful for the Father’s Day table.

Moroccan Chicken with Apricots

There is so much flavor packed in this one-pan Moroccan chicken dinner. Seasoned with saffron, cinnamon, and tossed with fresh apricots! If dad do not include rice in his diet, you can easily sub it out for cauliflower rice to make this 100% paleo for Father’s Day!

Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a favorite Asian dish for many, but is often laden with wheat flour and fried in plenty of fat. Show off for Father’s Day with this recipe from my book, Wandering Palate. This version becomes ideal for those with gluten sensitivities with the use of cassava flour and the coconut oil makes the dish even more satisfying to eat.

One Pan Spatchcock

Whole chickens often take a long time to cook, but the simple method of flattening a chicken can reduce the roasting time substantially as well as make portioning easier. By combining the chicken and veggies on a baking sheet, everything will be cooked at the same time and there will be less clean up as well. Once you have mastered this meal, try using a similar method to use up whatever vegetables you have on hand for an quick and easy - impressive - Father’s Day meal.

Roasted Chicken

This humble roast comprises of tender chicken, root vegetables and herbs that are extremely comforting on a cold night. Just combine everything the way I lay out in my book, Wandering Palate in a pan and bake in the oven until ready to serve to celebrate dad.

Saffron Rice Baked Chicken

This saffron rice baked chicken recipe takes classic chicken and rice to new depths. It includes an abundance of fresh herbs, tangy wine, and the fragrant aroma and color of saffron threads. There’s no way it won’t impress at Father’s Day. Although it looks fancy, it is a one-pot meal because it gets both combined and baked in a cast-iron skillet. If you don’t have a cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, however, just sear the chicken and combine the mixture in an ordinary skillet and transfer to a baking dish for the oven step.


Lamb


Greek Style Meatballs

These fresh and fragrant herbed meatballs from my book, Wandering Palate will have you thinking of the sunny Greek Islands in no time. They’re the perfect celebration of Father’s Day and the coming of summer!

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb

This rack of lamb is so simple to make but will look so impressive when served to guests this Father’s Day. The herb crust infuses flavor into the meat while adding an attractive spark of green.

Kalamata Lamb Kofta

Try infusing the unique, briny taste of Kalamata olives in this lamb kofta recipe. Everything combines for this perfect Father’s Day finger food. Olive lovers will rejoice as the olive’s fruity taste permeates through the meat, while a combination of fresh herbs and zesty lemon balances out the flavors.

Lamb Chops

In just fifteen minutes, you can have these simple chops on the table even when you think you don’t have time to cook. Get the recipe in my book, Wandering Palate

Patagonia Lamb

The lean nature of lamb means it is best to serve it between medium-rare and medium doneness. Simply check the temperature at intervals to ensure this roast will be the most tender and tasty lamb you have ever enjoyed.

Pork


Barbecue Pork Ribs

Ribs are typically the star attraction of summer cookouts and what better excuse to cook ribs than Father’s Day? The beauty of ribs is that they are a blank canvas. While traditional barbecue is the most common flavor, you can get creative with customized rib rubs and sauces. Try a sweet and spicy or an Asian flavor profile. How about a coffee-based rub? The only limit is your imagination.

Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Fresh herbs abound in this easy roast pork tenderloin Father’s Day dinner! Make this simple herb crust- consisting of parsley, thyme, and rosemary - then stir in lemon juice and olive oil for maximum flavor!

Honey Glazed Pork Ribs

The best way to cook pork ribs is low and slow, and then glaze them in a sticky sauce at the end. These ones take approximately 3 hours in the oven and are extremely juicy and tender when they are done. The sauce is an incredible mixture of liquid honey, tamari, and garlic that caramelizes slightly on the meat towards the end of cooking. Spend the time to get this right for dad and everyone will be impressed!

Instant Pot Carnitas

These Instant Pot carnitas are ready in less than an hour! You only need six ingredients to prepare this easy instant pot dinner for your entire family this Father’s Day!

Instant Pot Cuban Lechon

This dish needs to marinate overnight but its super easy to make in your Instant Pot and melts in your mouth since it bathes in citrus juices. Follow the steps in my book, Wandering Palate and you’ll have a tasty, refreshing dish for Father’s Day.

PF Chang’s Style Paleo Lettuce Wrap

These paleo lettuce wraps are great for a low carb Father’s Day dinner that is full of satisfying flavor and texture, and will keep you full for the long term. The ground pork is balanced out with crisp water chestnuts and bamboo shoots, and the taste of sweet and tangy orange juice, ground ginger, and garlic takes the mixture over the top. Although it is recommended to enjoy these in lettuce wraps, this mixture would be equally delicious served over noodles or rice as well.

Pork Chop Apple Skillet

This hearty dish is delicious all year round but is particularly perfect for Father’s Day when apples are at their freshest and the summer herbs are in bloom. Be sure to get bone-in pork chops as they will have the most flavor and retain more moisture than pork loin chops.