Happy Father’s Day!

Behind every good kid is a GREAT DAD! It’s so true, and this week-end is the time to honor that!!

Whether you are brand new at it and learning your way through, or you have been at it for a lifetime, this day is for all of you Dads! 

My favorite guy has been at it quite a few times for quite a long time!

In fact, he is the reason behind my creating all these healthy recipes because he has always been so passionate about health and “paying it forward” to our whole family and now… to all of you!

There is no need to compromise health for delicious,  especially on this occasion where the best gift you, as a Dad, can give your kids is to be around for a long time with all your vitality and energy to keep doing the things you want to do with the kids. So, it’s time for them to pamper you on this special day celebrating Dads, with wonderful food that he will love and that will also love him back!

Here are some great “Daddy” recipes to make your day even more special!

This year, I have added a few vegan specials for the vegan Dads out there too!

To start the day, how about breakfast in bed with these luscious hardy Banana Hazelnut Pancakes and a strong cup of coffee? If the kids are too young to do that for you, then it’s worth making the batter the day before and have it ready to go so that you can all gather in the kitchen together and enjoy.

The batter is filled with ripe banana and ground hazelnuts and the result is outrageously delicious, and… of course so good for you! Drizzle with 100% maple syrup and…WOW, what a wonderful way to start Dad’s day!

Or if Dad prefers a vegan breakfast how about this AMAZING Banana date bread (it doesn’t even have added sugar but he won’t miss it, I promise!) with a strong cappuccino?!

If the weather is nice and a picnic is in order,  then Honey-Glazed Chicken is just right! It’s so easy to prepare, the kids can make it ahead of time and just pack them up in the cooler–they are great cold too– and they are just finger-licking tremendous!

With that, my Confetti Orzo Pasta Salad is  fabulous! It too can be made ahead and packed in the cooler.  I can’t tell you how many picnics we have had featuring this delicious salad over the years! Hm hm GOOD!!

 

To munch on with that, how about fresh cut veggies to dip into my crazily simple-2-minutes-to-whip-up Spinach Dip or if the kids are a little more brave or capable, bring along my Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip with wholegrain pita chips, or thinly sliced whole wheat baguette. So good and it will keep your waistline in check too!

 

 

 

 

 

If a barbecue is the plan, then what is more manly than what our guys love most: sliders! Try these Mini BBQ Turkey Burgers! Don’t be fooled, they may look and taste decadent but I have made them a lot healthier for you! I use lean ground turkey and pureed lentils which makes them as moist as they are nutritious. Right before I serve them, I brush each one with my homemade BBQ sauce which gives them a wonderful kick!

 

Of course, I have the vegan equivalent! OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS!!

With that, I recommend my Simply Grilled Corn. It’s nothing to make and preparing them this way, rather than boiling them, makes such a difference and you won’t even need to add butter to those I promise!

A great big salad filled with veggies to go with that and you’ll be all set! There are many more recipes that are easy and no fuss you can choose from for a great BBQ, from vegan to seafood, it’s all good, so just feel free to look around Cuisinicity!

For Dessert, I recommend my Dark Chocolate Cake, served with a “ton” of fresh berries. This “rich” cake is so moist, it does not even need frosting! …and the secret ingredient is…Zucchini…lots of it! Even I cannot believe how much I snuck in there! I can frankly say “snuck” because you wouldn’t know they were there. The grated zucchini just “melt” inside the cake batter when baked and the result is pure rich moistness! 

Did you even doubt I had the vegan equivalent for this luscious cake?… presenting my vegan Chocolate Zucchini Muffins…..you might as well call them cupcakes….OH MY GOODNESS WOW!!

OK, so there you have it guys, some ideas to get you (or, I hope, the kids) started!

I know some of you Dads may think of this as a Hallmark card conspiracy, but really, it’s a wonderful excuse to celebrate YOU and YOUR CONTRIBUTION to your kids’  life and for everyone to recognize how special you are, if only on this one day out of the year!

So, enjoy, and eat to your heart’s content–and I mean that quite literally! 

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!

with love,