How to become a good father and treat him special...
by Sue Zelickson, Tastemaker in Residence
A man usually learns how to be a good Father from the examples that are set by those around him and the heritage they represent. Hopefully, he learns manners, tact, ambition, fashion, kindness, generosity, gratefulness and honesty.
How to be a gentleman and a good father usually begins with the examples given by his parents and grandparents. Role models, traditions, guidance and direction all form a trickle-down effect that helps create the way we act as adults. Think about your friends and relatives and look back at their parents and see how far the leaves have fallen from the trees. Often we can connect people to their seniors by watching how they walk, talk, react to situations and mimic the habits and stature of their ancestors.
Tastes usually reflect the upbringing of the culturally inspired dining experiences of our youth. So on this Fathers day, it would be a super fun idea to cook, bake, recreate or buy something our fathers loved to eat. Make it something they haven't had on a regular basis in a while or something that you remember that they always have enjoyed. When my Father liked something special we always searched for it on his birthday or on Fathers day, and it really made him so very happy. One item was black radish, which wasn't easy to find, but when we found it for him, he was beyond grateful and appreciative.
This year I plan to make a jar of Green Goddess salad dressing the way my mother used to make it; on lettuce greens with lots of chopped celery. Add to that some kosher hot dogs, corned beef, salami or tongue sandwiches, with a good mustard, diet Pepsi, and a Dairy Queen Dilly Bar. That will make the Father of my children very happy; and even though my own Father isn’t here anymore, he would have loved the same menu.
Tomorrow Cindi is launching the Green Goddess Salad Dressing Contest...so stay tuned to find my Mom's (Berniece "Toots" Zipperman's) Recipe for Green Goddess Salad Dressing.