Give your dad a Break this Father’s Day

It is an unwritten rule that a father’s summertime job is to take care of the BBQing.  Weekend after weekend is spent under the hot sun and over the hot BBQ.  This Father’s Day, give the dads in your life a weekend off.  It’s easy to create a fun, memorable weekend away from the BBQ by creating a menu full of refreshing sides, salads, and main dishes.

When planning a weekend full of fun activities to do with dad, forego the typical eggs and bacon breakfast and try something a little bit healthier.  With the hot sun beginning to shine, a cold, crisp bowl of fruit, along with some yogurt and granola, is a great way to start the day.  Not only is it cool and refreshing, you will start the day off well-hydrated.  If you need more protein to start the day, try a fruit, cheese and cracker tray.  This breakfast is packed with protein, but light enough not to weigh you down.

Lunch comes fast when you’re busy with summer activities.  Put a gourmet spin on sandwiches by using uniquely flavored sauces.  Or add some fruit to your sandwich for a sweet yet savoury treat.

For a delicious side, serve a Caprese salad filled with fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil.  Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette to bring it up a notch.  Don’t forget to add the fruit for lunch – it makes a great dessert and really hits the spot when out in the hot sun.

For dinner, try a serving of chicken skewers.   Serving them cold allows you to set them out and spend more time with the family. The options for marinade and seasonings are almost endless, so your meal can be anything from down-home comfort food to exotic new adventures.

Salads are not just for rabbits anymore.  A nice salad filled with hearty toppings makes a nice complement to any dinner.  Choose toppings that fit the theme of your meal: anything from BBQ chicken Salad with black beans, corn and cilantro, to pears strawberries and bleu cheese.

If all this cooking seems like too much to handle don’t worry – you have options!  A good local catering company can do wonders.  Many caterers have done away with the high profile, stressful weddings and such, and have moved toward corporate and smaller private meals.  One such caterer, Ingallina’s Box Lunch, has a large variety of Box Lunches and Party Platters to serve your Breakfast, Lunch, and Evening meals.

Included in this variety are vegetarian/vegan options along with gluten free options in a wide variety of flavors.  With reasonable prices and large free delivery areas in the Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles metro areas, it is hard to justify slaving in a hot kitchen during a family weekend such as Father’s Day.  A reasonably priced caterer, with delicious food and free delivery area can make your Father’s Day, and any other holiday, a lovely time filled with memories and new traditions.