Entertain Easily: F is for Father's Day

Father's Day is really a 20th century event created to help make sure fathers didn't feel left out following Mothering Sunday. That has roots going back at least to the 16th Century and encouraged people to go back to their 'mother' church and home.

But if the weather doesn't beckon a BBQ or because you don't want the main man left glued to the griddle, serve up a mix of frankfurter sausages and English sausages as hot dogs in white, long buns on 9 June.

And as usual, I would like some decorations. Bunting's always a good start and a basic one can be downloaded in a pdf from here, printed onto card, cut out and then strung on string around the place.

Download complementary signs for the tables...

..and for the sauces and trimmings.

Onions are most easily cooked in the microwave with some butter as you can cook them in the dish in which they'll be served.

For the crispy leeks:

Gather:

1 large leek, cleaned, trimmed, and the leaves cut into 3-4" long thin strips
Slug of light olive oil
3 tbspn plain (all-purpose) flour
1 teaspn paprika
S&P

Then...

Preheat your oven to 220°C
Pat your leek strips dry with some kitchen paper
Pop them in a plastic (freezer) bag with the oil
Twist the top of the bag together and hold as you toss the leeks in the oil until coated
Add in the flour, spices and seasoning
Twist and shake again
Lay out the coated leek strips in one layer on a baking tray and toast in the oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown, tossing around half way through cooking

Mushrooms work well (see the Tapas mushrooms up to step 9), with a few sliced cucumber, radish and tomato and small salad leaves for the healthier among us.

On the drinks' station, have white and red wine, some real ales, and traditional soft drinks such as ginger beer and lemonade.

For fun you can hold a crossword or quiz (using this online tool) based on all things fatherly. The person to complete your chosen game quickest wins.