Dishin with Denise… Shish-ka-“Dad”

Denise Gianatasio is a Northport 
Village resident and freelance writer. 
She is a licensed agent at Signature 
Premier Properties, 172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise 
enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to
inspire a warm sense of home with 
her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at  
dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

My father’s name was not Bob!  For the love of dear ol’ Dad, Summer comes to call…on the 3rd Sunday in June, this is when we pay special loving attention to all of the Father’s past, present and future. On Father’s Day we celebrate the beautiful paternal bonds they have formed, or are still forming.  Father’s Day is practiced and celebrated worldwide with the same sincerity and respect that we pay to other significant holidays. President Woodrow Wilson was the 1st U.S. President to celebrate Father’s Day, June 1916. In 1924 Calvin Coolidge declared it a National Holiday and then President Johnson by official order made Father’s Day a Holiday to be celebrated annually on the 3rd Sunday in June. Take the day and make your plans, find the opportunity this day offers. Get closer to your Dad or any special man you honor as a great Father.  Let them know you’re proud of them and appreciate their selfless care and the strong protection and influence they provide. “ One Father is more than a hundred school masters!” (George Herbert).   My own Dad just loved beef as he was from a long line of butchers in Sicily.  So…Shish~ka~Bob was usually a favorite for him.  Really easy to prepare and makes a colorful presentation and covers all bases, meat, potatoes, and vegetables. (Perhaps fruit too~ pineapple or any fruit)

I use 3 lbs of sirloin tip cubes that I marinate for 2-3 days in the original Mc Cormicks meat marinade packets (I use 3 packets) to which you add oil, vinegar, water (directions on packets) and I splash with a bit of Worcestershire sauce. I mix all in a large zip lock bag, add meat, seal, shake and refrigerate. I boil red baby potatoes with skins, wash 2 lbs of white or baby portobello mushrooms, 2 containers of cherry tomatoes, red onion in chunks and yellow peppers. I like to skewer each item separately for more control as each food cooks at different levels, (tomatoes grill quick) While grilling, use excess marinade from meat and brush vegetables to flavor.   Make it a stay day vacation!  A simply unique giving of your time, and a delicious meal full with textures of imagination. A side salad, crusty grilled bread, a glass of wine, or a bottle of beer, an afternoon with you, a nap in his comfy hammock and you’ll make any Dad a happy one!  

Happy Father’s Day!… 
Love You Dad’s!   
 xo   Dishin’ with Denise