Father's Day Meals

Don't serve Dad the same old fare this Father's Day; try this succulent Grilled Rosemary Lamb with a mint sauce instead. These are tender sirloin chops from a leg of lamb, but save the meatier heart of the leg to grill for Dad. Any lamb-loving father will be thrilled with these plump, juicy grilled garlic and rosemary laden legs of lamb. If meat isn't your father's thing, try a wok-grilled shrimp and vegetable treat. Grilled shrimp and vegetables bathed in a spicy peanut sauce make for a great Father's Day meal for the health-conscious Pop. There is an easy way to peel and de-vein shrimp, if you have the right tool. Watch this video clip to see the magical utensil in action. The key to this satisfying milkshake is not to blend too much, just enough for a thick, tasty treat. Relax and enjoy with Dad before his special day is done.  REAL VIDEO To find out how to make a roulade (wrapped veggies inside flank steak), watch this video.

Tired of grilling burgers or steak for Father's Day? Be original and cutting--or is that slicing--edge by preparing a distinctive Grilled Leg of Lamb with Rosemary. We've added a tasty mint sauce to complement the lamb. For grilling purposes, choose a leg of lamb instead of the rack.

Burger Alternative

If meat isn't your father's thing, a great alternative is an Asian wok specialty--Shrimp and Vegetables with Peanut Sauce. Grilling with a wok is the best way to achieve crispy, crunchy veggies and plump, juicy shrimp--and it's easy. Try Today at Home guest Merle Ellis's recipe and you'll have one happy, and healthy, pappy on his special day.

Wok Grilling

And if you're tired after hours of celebrating Father's Day, a great way to cap off the evening is to rent a movie and make a scintillating super shake--a strawberry delight created by Savoir Faire's Nik Manojlovich--for the man of the house.

Late-Night Treat

Grilled Rosemary Lamb

Ingredients:

dry red wine
olive oil
chopped shallots or green onions
chopped fresh rosemary (or dried)
minced fresh garlic
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 leg of lamb--deboned and trimmed of extra fat (about 7 lbs.)

Preparation:

Marinate leg of lamb in a mixture of wine, oil, shallots, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper for at least two hours or overnight. Turn occasionally.

Preheat grill to medium high. Place the grill rack about six inches from heat. Remove lamb from marinade and pat dry. Reserve marinade for later use. Place lamb on grill and cook 40 minutes, turning frequently and brushing with marinade. The meat should be pink inside at the thickest part when ready.

Remove lamb from grill. Let rest a few minutes, covered loosely with foil. Carve across grain into thin slices.

Mint Sauce

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. finely chopped lemon or lime peel
1-1/2 cups chopped or minced fresh mint

Preparation:

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and add 1-1/2 cups freshly chopped mint. Set aside to cool before serving.

Shrimp and Vegetables with Peanut Sauce

* Note: This recipe calls for the use of a wok.

Ingredients for Peanut Sauce:

5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 Tbs. fresh ginger, chopped
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tbs. sugar
1/4 cup water
hot sauce to taste
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs. tamari (or soy) sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbs. sesame oil
salt and pepper (freshly ground) to taste

Preparation for Peanut Sauce:

Mix the garlic with the ginger, peanut butter and sugar. Whisk in the water, hot sauce, lemon juice, tamari sauce, cilantro and sesame oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for up to five days in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Ingredients for Shrimp and Vegetables:

sesame oil
snow peas, ends cut off and strings removed
baby corn (in jar or can from supermarket)
bell peppers, cut into strips
red onion, cut into strips
fresh asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
carrots, cut into medallions (and any other favorite vegetables)
fresh shrimp

Preparation for Shrimp and Vegetables:

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place a wok on grill and add some sesame oil. Leave until it becomes extremely hot. Add vegetables to the wok in the order of the longest cooking to the shortest cooking time (for example, carrots and harder veggies first), tossing them around with wooden spoons until veggies and crispy and crunchy.

Push vegetables to one side of wok, add some more sesame oil and add shrimp. Cook, tossing constantly until bright pink in color. Toss vegetables and shrimp together until well mixed. Serve hot with peanut sauce.

Nik's Strawberry Super Shake

Ingredients (one serving):

4 scoops of your favorite strawberry-flavored ice cream or sorbet
2 oz. strawberry syrup
6 oz. whole milk
a couple of small handfuls of chocolate chips (optional)
whipped cream
1 fresh cherry

Preparation:

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and let it whir around for a good couple of minutes until the liquid is thick and smooth. Pour into a milkshake glass. As an added treat, place a dollop of whipped cream on top of the shake, then garnish with a cherry. Insert a straw and enjoy!