Let me tell you something about Dads – they love pork.
Even if they say, “Jess, I don’t like pork,” the thing is, they do.
And this brings me to the second point that I want to make about the big guy – they also don’t know what they like. And sometimes, you just have to tell them.
Take my dad for example. No really, take him. Just kidding, I want him back.
My dad says he doesn’t like a lot of things. Like eggplants, curry, curried eggplant, and pretty much anything that you can’t find in (a) a snack mix, (b) in a Cobb salad, or (c) at the ballpark.
After years of playing to his so-called dislikes, I finally realized that the problem wasn’t that dear old dad hated the food, but that he just didn’t know he liked it.
I started making things like “yellow chicken” (i.e. curried chicken) and “really soft zucchini” (i.e. roasted eggplant). And turns out, dad liked it all. Even the bean dip (well, that was just bean dip).
So with father’s day around the corner, I wanted to say thank you to my dad for letting me trick him into liking things and for keeping his mind open (and his heart and kidneys safe) with all my low sodium creations, even as he settles into that time of life where’s he’s allowed to exclaim that he just likes doing things his way.
And for all those dad’s who love pork (and may or may not know it yet), celebrate them this weekend with these three recipes.
Just tell them they’re filled with love. And chicken.
Chow on.
I lost my sweet Dad 20 years ago next month – hug yours close. Your post sure brought a smile to my face X0 Liz
Who could ever want a better daughter than you, SG?! And my heart goes out to Liz. I hug my 89 year old dad close regularly, counting my blessings now that my mom is gone.
I loved when you and your dad did the grass skirt dance at your wedding! It was so lovely to witness and such a perfect representation of your fun filled, loving relationship!!! I hope your dad enjoys all the delicious pork. My dad, unfortunately, will have to settle for a porkless Father’s Day – but hopefully he’ll love me just the same.