Father's Day

Dishes for dads

Getting the kids involved in cooking a special something for their dad is child's play. Get the whole family to muck in creating DIY dishes, send kids to help source ingredients for a fish dish, or let them mix marinades for a meaty extravaganza.

DIY dad

Treat dad to an Asian-inspired feast. Chop vegetables into strips and prepare wafer-thin sheets of smoked salmon or flakes of smoked mackerel, then build your own Oriental-style rolls wrapped in rice paper.

If it’s cheese that makes your dad smile, make a fondue, then serve his favourite foods to dip into it, from chunks of ham, to pickled onions, to a variety of homemade breads. Alternatively, marinate chopped pieces of meat, then heat oil in the fondue pan and cook to your liking on long fondue forks. Serve with a selection of dips on the side, such as Pepper sauce or Jo' Pratt's Creamy roast onion and rosemary sauce. For dads with a sweet tooth, go for a chocolate fondue, using the best quality chocolate you can get your hands on.

To cater for all the family, make individual pizza bases, then let each family member personalise their topping before baking. Or make several different pizzas, using unusual bases such as the focaccia one, left. Vary the toppings too, then slice and share.

Asian-inspired wrap recipes

• Vietnamese-style rice paper rolls with dipping sauce by Simon Rimmer from Something for the Weekend
• Norimaki sushi rolls by Simon Rimmer from The Accidental Vegetarian
• Sushi salmon rolls by Griff Rhys Jones from Taste of My Life
• Vegetarian sushi rolls by Celia Brooks Brown from New Vegetarian
• Char siu lettuce rolls by Ainsley Harriott from Barbecue Bible
• Maki rolls with pickled ginger by James Tanner from Ready Steady Cook
• Duck pancakes with hoisin sauce by Jo' Pratt from Nation's Favourite Food
• Tuna, crab and avocado wraps by Nigella Lawson from Nigella Express

Fondue and bread recipes

• Cheese fondue by Nigella Lawson from Nigella Express
• Fontina cheese fondue with truffle oil by Antonio Carluccio
• Ploughman's fondue by James Martin from Housecall
• Parmesan fondue with anchovy toast by Simon Rimmer from Something for the Weekend
• Fontina cheese fondue with truffle oil by Antonio Carluccio
• Rosemary and garlic bread by Meera Syal from Taste of My Life
• Beer and cheese bread by David Myers and Simon King from The Hairy Bakers
• Olive bread by Good Food Magazine
• Chocolate fondue with fruit platter by James Martin from Housecall

Pizza recipes

• Quick homemade pizza by Jo' Pratt from Nation's Favourite Food
• Garlic-crust pizza with Parma ham (video recipe) by Lesley Waters from Get Cooking
• Pizza with a focaccia base by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi from Return to Tuscany
• Meat feast calzone by Simon Rimmer from Something for the Weekend
• Asparagus, taleggio and tomato pizza by Good Food Magazine
• Panettone 'pizza' with fried apples by Antony Worrall Thompson from Saturday Kitchen

Fish ideas

Show true teamwork this Father's Day - keep your dad company on a fishing trip, then offer to cook the prize catch. From the humble fishcake to Michael Caines' Pan-fried trout with almond purée, whatever you cook him, 'eel' thank you for it! Angling enthusiasts will swear the delicious meal you cook them is down to their fishing skills, while you'll know it's thanks to your culinary prowess.

If your dad gets his catch of the day from the chippie, make his Father's Day fish supper one to remember with Jo' Pratt's Deep fried fish in beer batter with chips. Serve wrapped in newspaper with a wooden fork and watch him taste the difference. To pamper your pops with something posh, try the ultimate comfort food of the stars - Lobster Thermidor.

For men who prefer their fish cooked simply rather than primped and preened, serve a flavour-packed sauce alongside your fresh fillet, such as Fiona Bird's vivid green Watercress sauce. Or try flash-frying strips of squid in a little oil and serving with hot, sweet and sour Mango and pomegranate sauce, below.

Freshwater fish recipes

• Perch with tomato and capers by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi from Return to Tuscany
• Pan-fried trout with almond purée by Michael Caines from Countryfile Summer Diaries
• Tea-smoked trout with bashed chive potatoes and tomato salsa by James Martin from Saturday Kitchen
• Freshwater fishcakes with spring onions by Paul and Jeanne Rankin from Gourmet Ireland
• Escalopes of salmon with a sorrel sauce by Rick Stein from Taste of the Sea
• Thai-style fishcakes (video recipe) by Mitch Tonks from Get Cooking
• Salmon with green butter (video recipe) by Sophie Grigson from Get Cooking
• Stir-fried eel with black bean sauce by Rick Stein from Seafood Lovers' Guide

Fancy fish recipes

• Mango, lobster and ginger soup by Jon Ganna from Fresh Food
• Lobster Thermidor by The Ivy from Taste of My Life
• Mussels and jamón with sherry by Jill Dupleix from Saturday Kitchen
• Steamed mussels with wine, garlic and parsley by Mitch Tonks from Saturday Kitchen
• Lemon sole with fennel, mussels, clams and cockles by Mike Robinson from Saturday Kitchen
• Deep-fried fish in beer batter and chips by Jo' Pratt from Nation's Favourite Food
• Haddock and prawn pie by Christopher Rainham from Masterchef
• Green prawn curry by Cyrus Todiwala from Saturday Kitchen
• Pork and prawn dumplings by Ching-He Huang from Chinese Food Made Easy
• Catalan fish stew by Thomasina Miers from Saturday Kitchen
• Smoked mackerel fishcakes by Simon Rimmer from Something for the Weekend
• Classic hake in parsley sauce by Rick Stein from Fruits of the Sea
• The ultimate fish pie by Simon King and David Myers from The Hairy Bikers
• Cod and chips with peas by Gino D'Acampo from Take on the Takeaway
• Crisp fried plaice by Mitch Tonks
• Chinese ginger fish by Jill Dupleix from Totally Simple Food

Sides

• Pea purée by James Martin from Stately Suppers
• Potato salad by Sandra Tate from Masterchef
• Green crisp salad with Dijon dressing by Neneh Cherry and Andi Oliver from Neneh & Andi: Dish It Up
• Fresh asparagus, tomato and pine nut salad by Paul Rankin from Ready Steady Cook

Sauces

• Quick herby sauce by Merrilees Parker from Housecall
• Lemongrass and coconut sauce by Elizabeth Boyd-Ratcliff from Masterchef
• Watercress sauce by Fiona Bird from Masterchef
• Mango and pomegranate salsa by Charulata Kohli from Masterchef

Meat main courses

There's many a dad who loves nothing more than a slap-up steak dinner or a roast with all the trimmings. Follow step-by-step guides to flawless joints in our video recipes, then serve with indulgent but hassle-free Dauphinoise potatoes. They'll cook quietly in the oven while you prepare the other vegetables and can sit happily in a warm oven until the rest of the meal is ready.

There's a reason that Father's Day kicks off barbecue season - men, meat and fire go back a long way. Indulge the caveman in him by marinating thick cuts of meat the day before that he can slap onto the barbie to sizzle away. For side dishes, place beefsteak tomato and courgette halves, cut-sides down, onto the grill until blackened to soak up the chargrilled meat flavours and wrap baking potatoes in aluminium foil and place onto the coals until tender.

Slow down fast food fanatics by serving up kingsize, flavour-packed homemade burgers slathered with punchy sauces: try James Martin's homemade BBQ sauce or add finely grated garlic to Delia's Homemade mayonnaise. Have a selection of sliced cheese and bread buns on hand to make man-sized burgers. For dessert, toast marshmallows on the embers.

• Steak Diane with brandy and mustard sauce by Jill Dupleix from Saturday Kitchen
• Steak and onion sandwich by James Martin from Housecall
• Steak Maman Blanc with sautéed potatoes by Raymond Blanc from Saturday Kitchen
• Sirloin steak with chunky chips (video recipe) by Paul Merrett from Get Cooking
• Roast beef with Yorkshires (video recipe) by Mike Robinson from Get Cooking
• Roast loin of pork with crackling and cider gravy (video recipe) by Mike Robinson from Get Cooking
• Fillet steak with Châteaubriand sauce and straw fries by James Martin from Saturday Kitchen
• Fillet steak with morel mushroom and wine sauce by Jo Brand from Taste of My Life
• Pan-fried pork steak with aubergine, chorizo and fennel by James Martin from Saturday Kitchen
• T-bone steak with roasted tomato butter, wilted spinach and fat chips by James Martin from Saturday Kitchen
• Homemade beefburger by Paul Merrett from Saturday Kitchen
• Thai-style chicken burger by Sam Stern from Real Food Real Fast
• Lamb burger with roast garlic and chunky chips by Antony Worrall Thompson from Saturday Kitchen

Marinades and sauces

• Mustard and honey marinade
• Hot chilli marinade
• Yoghurt and herb marinade
• Red wine sauce by Richard Doyle from Masterchef
• BBQ sauce by James Martin from Housecall
• Mustard and mushroom velouté by Richard Doyle from Masterchef
• Compôte of glazed shallots by Delia Smith from Delia Smith
• Mint sauce
• Apple sauce
• Spicy citrus marinade
• Horseradish sauce by Mrs Beeton from Everyday Cookery

Sides

• Mashed potatoes (video recipe) by Mike Robinson from Get Cooking
• Steamed spring greens by Garrey Dawson from Ready Steady Cook
• Roast sweet potato chilli chips by Ching-He Huang from Chinese Food Made Easy
• Chips by Heston Blumenthal from Family Food
• Dauphinoise potatoes by Mike Robinson
• Rösti potatoes by Bella Radford from Masterchef
• Crushed new potatoes by Bonnie Peter Woods from Recipe for Success
• Onion rings by Nick Nairn from Ready Steady Cook
• Caesar salad by James Martin from Housecall