Good old dad. Dependable, hard-working (often the joker of the family) and happiest when fully fed and watered. What better way to say ‘thanks for all you do’ than by preparing a hearty meal for Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20?
Father’s Day is a tradition that started across the Pond more than 100 years ago. It was reputedly first marked on July 5, 1908, in West Virginia – also the birthplace of Mother’s Day – by Grace Clayton, who had recently lost her father in a mining accident.
Adopted in the UK in the early 20th Century, Father’s Day is celebrated around the globe on several different dates, but in the UK, it is based on the US calculation of the third Sunday in June. And, just as it is celebrated on different dates and in a variety of ways, here at Lakings, we understand that fathers are equally as diverse in their likes and tastes so we’ve come up with several ideas to honour dad on his special day.
Opt for steak
If your dad is a bit of a sporty guy, with a keen interest in health and fitness, he will enjoy a classic steak with a side of a green salad, home-cooked potato wedges, washed down with a glass of red. Lakings’ steak offering includes fillet, rib eye, rump and sirloin.
To really impress, plump for a premium fillet steak, cut from the centre of the fillet, so you get the absolute best. The fine marbling you find in our steaks – something that is down to the breed of cows we select – gives it a richer flavour than most other steaks, so it’s the perfect treat for a special occasion. Lakings also has the perfect sauce accompaniments in-store – choose from Diane, pepper, mushroom, and stilton.
Keep it traditional with a roast
A real people-pleaser, there’s something wholesome about sitting round the dining table with the family for a roast dinner – even in the warmer weather. Make dad’s day by serving one of Laking’s prime cuts. Choose from pork, lamb or beef, all of which are sourced from local farmers. For an indulgent treat for dad, we’re leaning towards belly of pork joint – a really rich, soft, tender cut that will yield crackling to die for, and is belting done on the barbecue too! The tasty seams of fat add so much flavour and juiciness, this great value cut is a great way to impress if you have a budget to stick to. Roast whole or cut into strips and prepare to be wowed.
Or maybe opt for one of our premium Herb Fed free-range chickens, raised to the highest welfare standards and bred to offer a flavoursome dining experience.
Barbecuing and burgers
You might have to wrestle the tongs from his hand if your dad is used to being in charge of the barbecue, but nothing quite beats a fresh burger with a side of coleslaw, corn on the cob and a cold beer. Our succulent beef burgers are made using off-cuts from our steaks and roasting joints and are perfect grilled on the barbecue. Alternatively, mix things up with our pork and apple or lamb and mint burgers.
Lakings’ barbecue packs come in several sizes suitable for a family of four to larger gatherings (which we can now have outdoors, up to 30 people). We also have a range of ready-to-cook skewers: choose from chicken kebabs, lamb grillsticks, beef and halloumi kebabs and beef grillsticks.
Make teatime special
Not all dads are around for a family gathering, some work at the weekends or might be preparing for a night shift, so if time is of the essence – why not make a quick cold buffet (or send dad off to his job with an amazing pack-up)? We’ve got a range of delicious ‘pantry’ products available both in-store and online to make putting a spread together – think freshly made sausage rolls, pork pies, pasties, and Scotch eggs – as easy as, well a pork pie. Or make him an impressive sandwich using our perfectly cured honey roast ham or Lincolnshire haslet with a slathering of mustard and pop a Bakewell tart in his lunchbox to keep him sweet.
Whatever you decide to do for Father’s Day, we are sure a meal prepared with love is the perfect way to honour all the incredible dads out there.
