7 One-Dish Dinners You Can Cook For Your Dad This Father's Day

From reaching the farthest shelves to lifting the heaviest furniture to literally opening the trickiest jars at home, one man who can do anything without so much as raising an eyebrow is our fathers. The ones who'd stare into your soul through his slender reading glasses when you've crossed a line and the ones who'd crack dad jokes when your friends are around. He will always be the guy who'd give you everything even if it means he is left with nothing. Heck, he will not even think about it twice.

 

While he might not be the most rhapsodic guy in the house or even the most expressive one but believe me, he is the man who will always have your back. 

 

Now giving back what he selflessly showered on us is hardly possible but celebrating him for everything he has done is the least we can do.

 

BRAINSTORM!

 

Now, what is that one thing that all our dads love besides our success? A home-cooked meal made with love. Since the lockdown has already left you with right-on cooking skills, why not use them to make your father full and happy.

 

To help you with; here are 7 one-dish dinner recipes that just might do the trick. 

 

1. Burrito Bowl

Inspired by some of the best fitness chain restaurants, this one-dish recipe has the potential to become your next triumph in the kitchen. A deadly combination of vitamin and mineral-rich avocado mingled with tomatoes, capsicum, onion and fibre-rich kidney beans will taste better than heaven on the side of cooked rice.

This recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor is without a doubt, a perfect dish for fathers who not only love a good home-cooked meal but is also taste junkie. 

Image Courtesy: Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana

Ingredients:

Guacamole

• 1 avocado
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves
• Salt to taste

Rice

• 2 cups boiled basmati rice
• 1 1/2 tbsps oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small yellow capsicum, finely chopped
• 1 small red capsicum, finely chopped
• 1 small green capsicum, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup boiled sweet corn kernels
• 1 cup boiled kidney beans (rajma)
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black peppercorns to taste
• 1 tsp dried red chilli flakes
• 2-3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 1/2 tbsps tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves

To Serve

• A few fresh iceberg lettuce leaves
• English cucumber slices
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Siracha mayo to drizzle
• Fresh coriander
• Toasted tortilla triangles 

Recipe:

Guacamole

1. Cut the avocado in half, scoop out 1/2 of the avocado into a bowl. Reserve the rest.
2. Add lemon juice to the same bowl and mash using a fork.
3. Add onion, tomato, green chillies and chopped coriander and salt. Mix well and set aside.

Rice

1. Heat oil in a non-stick wok. Add garlic and sauté well.
2. Add onion and sauté till translucent.
3. Add yellow capsicum, red capsicum and green capsicum and mix well. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Now, add sweet corn and kidney beans and toss well. Add salt and mix.
5. Add rice, crushed black peppercorns and dried red chilli flakes and mix well.
6. Separate the leaves of thyme sprigs and add them to the pan and mix well.
7. Add tomato ketchup and mix till well combined.
8. Add chopped coriander and mix, take the pan off the heat.

To Serve

1. Add a few iceberg lettuce leaves in a bowl, add a portion of the prepared rice on top.
2. Add salsa, prepared guacamole and garnish with sliced cucumbers and slice the remaining avocado and place it on top.
3. Add sour cream and drizzle siracha mayo and garnish with a coriander sprig.
4. Serve immediately with toasted tortilla triangles.

 

Side tip: If you don't have sour cream at home use malai instead. And if tortillas are out of the question for you, go for some desi papads.

 

 

 

2. Lemon And Coriander Soup

The best thing you can do for your health is to keep your immunity strong. And what better way to do that than by inducing anti-oxidant vitamin-C rich ingredients into your meals? So, for a dad who despite his rocky health did all he could for you, a meal that's healthy and made out of love isn't a bad way to wish him good health this Father's Day. From Tarla Dalal's kitchen to yours, here's a bowl of yummy soup for your dads!

Image Courtesy: Tarla Dalal

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup finely chopped coriander
• 2 tsp oil
• 2 tsp finely chopped garlic
• 2 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage
• 1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
• 3 cups basic vegetable stock
• Salt to taste
• 2 tsp cornflour dissolved in 2 tbsp water

Recipe:

1. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the garlic and green chillies and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds.
2. Add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Add the cabbage and carrots and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute.
4. Add the basic vegetable stock, lemon juice, salt and cornflour-water mixture.
5. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
6. Add the coriander and mix well.
7. Serve immediately!

 

 

 

3. Ginger Chicken With Cashew

As you grow up, the realisation that ginger is both healthy and zesty get stronger. If you and your dad share an immense love for homestyle chicken dishes, this one's for you. Serve this dish by Cooktube with rice in a bowl and see your father smiling at you like a little kid.

Image Courtesy: Cooktube

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 5 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 900g boneless & skinless chicken breasts, cut in cubes
• 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 7 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice wine
• 2 3/4 tsp ginger paste
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 dry red chillies, chopped
• 1/4 tsp curry powder
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced long
• 1/2 cup cashew nuts, dry roasted

Recipe:

1. Whisk together chicken broth, 1 tbsp cornstarch, soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar and 3/4 tsp of ginger paste in a bowl. Mix well and keep aside.
2. Next, combine chicken pieces, 2 tsp ginger paste, curry powder, garlic and 4 tbsp cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix well to coat the chicken pieces in the marinade.
3. Now, heat sesame & olive oil together in a wok on high heat.
4. Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add dry red chillies and cook until golden brown for 2-3 more minutes, while stirring occasionally.
6. After 5 minutes, add bell pepper and green onions and cook for 2 more minutes.
7. Add soy sauce mix from step 1 to the chicken and reduce the heat to medium.
8. Allow it to boil for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
9. Once cooked, remove from heat, add in cashews and mix well.
10. Transfer the chicken to a serving bowl and serve hot with rice.

 

 

4. Vegetable Lasagna 

First things first, lasagna is not all cheese, there's a whole lot of veggies involved that are easy to digest. And you'd be happy to know that this vegetable lasagna by Yummy Veggies can be cooked without an oven. 

Image Courtesy: Yummy Veggies

Ingredients: 

Lasagna Sheets

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/3 cup water

Vegetable Topping

• 2 tbsp oil
• 4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 5-6 beans, chopped
• 1 small potato, chopped
• 1/4 cup boiled corn
• 1/2 cup coriander, chopped
• 1 tsp black pepper, crushed
• Salt to taste 

White Sauce

• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp powder sugar
• Salt & pepper to taste

Marinara Sauce

• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1/2 cup water

Assembly

• Mozzarella cheese

Recipe:

Lasagna Sheet

1. In a bowl toss 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 salt, 1 tbsp oil and mix. 
2. Add 1/3 cup water bit-by-bit and knead until you make a soft dough. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
3. Now divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll them into thin sheets.
4. Let the sheets rest on a sieve for 20 minutes and your lasagna sheets are ready. Set aside

Vegetable topping

1. In a hot pan add 2 tbsp oil, garlic, oregano and chilli flakes. Saute for a few seconds.
2. Now add all the chopped veggies one by one and saute on high flame.
3. Let it cook for 5 minutes and add salt, black pepper and 1/2 cup coriander leaves. Saute for another 5-10 seconds.
4. Let it rest.

White Sauce

1. In a hot pan add butter and all-purpose flour.
2. Saute till it becomes light brown colour.
3. Add 1 cup milk gradually and whisk until there are no lumps.
4. Sprinkle mixed herbs, salt, black pepper and sugar to it and whisk.

Marinara Sauce

1. Take 1/2 cup marinara sauce and add 1/2 cup water.
2. Mix it well and keep it aside. 

Assembly

1. In a non-stick pan, spread some marinara sauce and cover it with a lasagna sheet.
2. On the first sheet spread some marinara sauce, white sauce, sauteed veggies and cheese.
3. Cover it with the second sheet and repeat the steps.
4. Let it cook on low flame for 20-25 minutes.
5. Serve hot!

 

Side tip: If you are fixed on the idea of a non-veg lasagne just put some shredded or keema chicken right in the marinara sauce and follow the rest of the recipe as it is. 

 

 

 

5. Achaari Khichdi

Indian achaars' are our best friends. Anything boring can be made interesting and kicky with some achaar on the side. Now, I get the conundrum of serving a bowl of khichdi on Fathers Day but it's not just any khichdi, it is khichdi with an achaari twist. For all the fathers who even with their liking cannot take sticky, spicy, zesty food for dinner, this khichdi will be a gift well deserved. The recipe is quite simple to follow and the result is, well, irresistible!

Image Courtesy: Awesome Sauce India

Ingredients:

• 1 tomato
• 150gm soaked Tur Dal
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 1 tbsp ginger
• 1 tsp green chilli
• 2 dried red chillies
• 10 curry leaves
• 2 cup cooked dal
• 1/2 tsp Hing
• 2 tbsp achaari paste
• 200gms cooked rice
• Water
• Salt
• Coriander

Recipe:

1. Take the mixer and add the pickle to it.
2. Grind, till you get a paste-like consistency.
3. Chop up a tomato, garlic and ginger.
4. Soak the tur dal.
5. Take a pan and add the ghee to it.
6. Add the cumin seeds, ginger, garlic green chillies and mix.
7. Add the cut dried red chillies. Stir. Add the curry leaves and pour in the cooked dal. Stir it well.
8. Add the hing and mix.
9. Now add the achaari paste from before. Mix until combined.
10. Add the rice and pour in the water. Add salt to taste. Stir. Add in the chopped tomato.
11. Mix well Serve warm and garnish with coriander.

 

 

6. Three Bean Salad

It's bean quite a while since anyone has served a salad that is both delicious and healthy. A Three Bean Salad is a wholesome one-dish meal stacked with proteins, antioxidants and other vital nutrients. If this doesn't say "I Love You Dad but your health is more important" then I don't know what will. 

Image Courtesy: Tasty

Ingredients:

• 1/2 red onion
• 1/2 large English cucumber
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 425gm chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 425gm kidney bean, drained and rinsed
• 425gm cannellini bean, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Recipe:

1. Thinly slice the red onion and add to a large bowl.
2. Quarter the cucumber, remove the seeds and dice, then add to the bowl with the red onion.
3. Use a fork to remove the leaves from the parsley, then finely chop and add to the bowl.
4. Add the chickpeas, kidney beans, and cannellini beans to the bowl.
5. In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper, and whisk together.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well until evenly distributed.
7. Enjoy!

 

 

 

7. Coriander And Carrot Curd Rice

Factually this one-dish recipe is a boon for the digestive system. And even superheroes like our fathers need a healthy system. This curd rice recipe is a gift by Awesome Sauce India to our health and fathers, apparently! Stacked with the goodness of coriander, carrots, curd and rice, it's a nutritious and scrummy dish no father, not even your younger sibling can say no to.

Image Courtesy: Awesome Sauce India

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup rice or 2 cups Cooked Rice
• 1 cup Curd (Yogurt)
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon urad dal
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger, optional
• 7-8 curry leaves
• 1 dry red chilli, halved
• 5 tablespoons grated carrot
• 4 tbsp coriander paste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste

Recipe: 

1. Rinse the rice in water 3-4 times and drain excess water.
2. Add rice, 1 1/2 cups water and salt in a pressure cooker.
3. Close the cooker with a lid and pressure cook the rice or you can also use Cooked rice with a mushy texture.
4. Prepare the rice at least 2-hours in advance before making the curd rice.
5. Heat the oil in a small tempering pan.
6. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When they start to splutter, add urad dal and sauté until dal turns golden brown.
7. Add grated ginger, curry leaves and halved dry red chilli. Sauté for a minute.
8. Turn off the flame and let the tempering cool at room temperature.
9. Mix steamed rice and salt (only add salt if it is not added while cooking) in a bowl and mash them a bit with the backside of the spoon.
10. Add curd. Mix them well.
11. Add the green coriander paste and grated carrot and give it a good mix.
12. Pour tempering mixture over it.
13. Mix properly with a spoon.
14. Curd rice is ready, transfer it to a serving bowl and serve it chilled.

 

 

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A gift that's easy on the eyes and easier to eat for the fathers who made every step for you easier than it looks. So, from my Mexican to your Burrito Bowl, Happy Father's Dad!

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