One of the great things about low-key holidays such as Father's Day is that you can create your own food traditions and serve up Father's Day recipes that your dad will really enjoy. Father's Day falls in late spring or early summer, so it's a great time of year to have a picnic and eat simple, delicious food. This year, try making homemade pizza and a big, flavorful salad that everyone in your family can share and eat together.
Father's Day Recipes
Both of these Father's Day recipes work well for picnics or outdoor dining. Wrap them up tightly, distribute the food, and enjoy!
Picnic Pizza
Dough
- 1 package (2 1/4 tsp.) rapid-rise yeast
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 1 c. very warm water
- 3 T. olive oil, plus extra to grease the bowl and pan
- 1 tsp. coarse sea salt
- 1 T. Italian seasoning
- 1 c. white whole-wheat flour
- 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour or bread flour
Other Ingredients and Topping Suggestions
- 1 15-ounce can pizza sauce
- Meat (Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, hamburger, anchovies, etc.)
- Vegetables (Bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, spinach, olives, tomatoes, etc.)
Directions
- Fit a stand mixer with a dough hook and combine all dough ingredients in the bowl of the mixer.
- Continue mixing on low speed for a minute or two, until they stay together as a mass. Then increase the speed to medium and let the hook knead the dough for 6 to 8 minutes. Alternately, you can combine the ingredients by hand and knead the dough yourself for 10 to 15 minutes or until it is soft and smooth.
- Place the kneaded dough in a clean bowl coated with a thin layer of olive oil. Place plastic wrap over the top of the bowl, and let the dough rise in a warm place, such as an oven with the pilot light turned on, for at least an hour and up to two hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Coat your hands with flour and reach into the bowl, punching down the dough lightly. Use your hands to pull and stretch the dough gently.
- Coat a pizza pan with a thin layer of olive oil. Place the dough on top of the pan, and use your fingers to stretch and push the dough to the edges of the pan. Try not to strain the dough. Press a border at the edges with your fingers.
- Add a thin layer of olive oil to the top of the dough, and spread the pizza sauce evenly on top of the olive oil. Use a flat spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the sauce.
- Distribute the toppings and cheese evenly on top of the pizza.
- Place the pizza pan on the bottom rack of your oven. Close the oven door and bake the pizza for 15 to 22 minutes or until the toppings begin to crisp and brown. Let the pizza cool thoroughly before slicing.
Apple-Nut Salad
This apple-and-nut salad is refreshing, light, and boasts a variety of ingredients that will appeal to all ages. The recipe serves 4.
Ingredients
- 6 oz. spring mix greens
- 2 small, crisp apples, cored and sliced thinly
- 3 strips of bacon, cooked
- 1/3 c. dried cranberries
- 3 T. candied walnuts
- 3 T. candied pecans
- 1 c. halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 c. sliced cucumber
- 1/4 c. crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Directions
Toss all ingredients evenly, and top with a dressing of your choice. The sweet notes of the salad in the apples, cranberries, and candied nuts pair well with vinaigrettes or Asian-style salty dressings.
