Hearty winter recipes for Fathers' Day

Beef-and-Corn Pie
(Photo : Jackie Cameron)

Men are tricky to buy gifts for - especially fathers. They seem to have everything they need and what they don’t have is completely out of reach of my pocket. I’m reminded that a well-fed man is a happy man and I organise a selection of tasty treats that will illustrate my appreciation of all he’s done for me.

As the mornings get colder and the days shorter so hearty winter recipes come out. Your dad deserves a warm beef-and-corn pie with caramelised onions sitting on wilted, green vegetables. This is a combination of slightly sweet-and-savoury flavours with a crispy puff pastry topping. Tastes we all enjoy.

And if it’s a braai your father is wanting, no matter the weather, then add Thai marinated chicken skewers to your menu. Skewers are inexpensive to buy and with a little imagination you can create your own combinations. A smart way to use left-overs.

Males have a sweet tooth. This makes it easy, and the safest bet is lemon meringue tart. Men love it! The tart is made up of the intense, sweet-and-sour flavours of lemon curd; the light, spongy but crisp-textured meringue and the rich-flavoured biscuit base. A sugar high of note!

Over the years, I have cooked for a number of South African culinary events held abroad, and it has become apparent that South Africans are accustomed to eating rich, syrupy desserts. The best example of a proudly South African dessert is the koeksuster. This syrup-coated, plaited doughnut is fun to make and worth the effort. Your dad will never buy another koeksuster again!

Beef-and-corn pie, Thai marinated chicken skewers, lemon meringue tart and koeksusters... this will surely make him happy.

Take these recipes and try them.

BEEF-AND-CORN PIE
THAI GREEN CURRY CHICKEN SKEWERS
LEMON MERINQUE TART
KOEKSUSTERS

Post your comments and food-related questions below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jackie Cameron
Head Chef
Hartford House
www.hartford.co.za
jackie@hartford.co.za
033 263 2713