A Backyard Celebration for Dad
by Brenda Hyde
I think it is safe to say that one of the ways to a Dad's heart really
is
through his stomach. Knowing this, I took some quick opinions of
the fathers I know and came up with a dinner menu to please even
the pickiest of Dads. I also have some quick ideas for jazzing up
your celebration. The best memories are created not
by fretting over perfection, but by the laughter and love that is
present as family members join together to make Dad's day a
special celebration, whether it's Father's Day, his birthday or you just want
to say "Thanks Dad!".
Decorating Ideas
Buy one poster board for each child, plus paint, markers and
construction paper. Fold each poster board in half and crease
to create a giant card. Let each child sit on the lawn, picnic
table or floor and make Dad a special greeting.
Buy paper plates, napkins and cups in a theme for Dad, but
instead of using a Father's Day design choose something fun
such as race cars, ocean animals or whatever the family thinks
he would enjoy. Let Dad be a kid for the day too!
Buy flowers for Dad! Bouquets can be picked up inexpensively
at most grocery stores. Men like flowers too!
These are just a few fun ideas, but you can pick a theme and
continue to use it throughout the entire day.
The Menu:
Country Style Ribs
Homemade Cornbread
Sweet Coleslaw
Corn on the Cob
Crumb Apple Pie
The Recipes
Country Style Ribs
Ingredients:
4 pounds country style ribs
BBQ Sauce-Dad's favorite
salt and pepper to season
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
Combine the vinegar, water and spices in a shaker bottle or a
bowl (use brush to baste).Cut ribs into 1 rib portions. Place a
large piece of foil over the coals to catch drippings. Place ribs
on grill about 6 inches above coals, or gas grill unit. Season
with salt and pepper. Close hood and cook for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle the ribs, turn them, and sprinkle or baste the other
side. Repeat this every 10 minutes; closing the hood inbetween
basting. Cook a total of 50 minutes, then brush on the bottled
sauce the last 15 minutes or until the ribs are done. Makes 8
servings.
Sweet Cole Slaw
Ingredients:
1 large head green cabbage, shredded
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise or salad dressing
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
optional: one handful of chopped chives or green onions
In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, carrots and
green pepper. In another bowl, mix salad dressing, or
mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Spoon the dressing
over the cabbage mixture. Store, covered, in the
refrigerator. Add chives or onions just before serving.
Makes 8 cups coleslaw.
Homemade Cornbread
Ingredients:
3 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1/4 cup oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups creamed corn
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9x13 baking pan.
Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt
in mixing bowl. Combine the milk, yogurt, melted butter,
oil and eggs in another bowl. Add to the cornmeal mixture.
Stir until just combined. Stir in creamed corn. Pour batter
into the greased pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick
comes out clean. Cool on rack. Note: You can make this
the day before, and store covered.
Corn on the Cob
Allow 2 ears per person. Choose fresh green husked corn
without blemishes. Put on a large pot of water to boil.
Husk the corn and remove silk. Place in pan so it is just
covered with water. Cook 3-5 minutes. You can also start
with cold water and cook until water reaches boiling, then
remove corn. Serve with butter, salt and pepper. For a
special treat mix a stick of butter with a tablespoon of
finely chopped chives the night before, so the flavors have
time to develop.
Crumb Apple Pie
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/4 cup ice water
Filling:
7 medium Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
Topping:
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup chilled butter or margarine, cut into pieces
Place rack on lowest position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
To prepare crust; in a medium bowl mix together flour and
salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives (I also use my fingers)
cut shortening into flour mixture until course crumbs form.
Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until
a dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and
chill for 30 minutes. On a floured surface, using a floured
rolling pin, roll dough into a 12 inch circle. Fit into a 9 inch
pie plate. Trim dough, leaving a 1 inch overhang; pinch a
decorative edge.
To prepare filling; peel, core and very thinly slice the apples.
Mix together with other filling ingredients. Spoon into crust.
For topping, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour
and cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until course crumbs
form. Sprinkle apple filling evenly with topping. Bake pie
until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbly, 35
minutes. If pie is overbrowning, cover loosely with foil.
Cool on a wire rack. 8 servings.
About the author
Brenda Hyde is a wife, a mom of three, a freelance writer, and editor of Old Fashioned Living.com.
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