A tradition in the family: Whenever it is anyone’s birthday or a celebration of some individual occurs (i.e. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day), I cook. The best presents in our family, are food because 1) it is always appreciated, 2) shows whole-hearted effort, 3) it is always put to good use and consumed (unless it tastes horrible).

I’m used to cooking multi-course hearty meals, but this time, my dad asked for something simple, something healthy, and something vegetarian – less work on my part, and less calories/cholesterol/fat on his part, so it all worked out.

This is what I prepared:

A roasted red bell pepper soup (made entirely from scratch, of course, with the exception of not making my own chicken stock or stamping on my own grapes for wine) with a dollop of neufchatel cheese & a grilled blackbean portabello burger (also made from scratch) with avocados, mixed greens, and a homemade corn salsa in a toasted whole-wheat pita pocket (all on a bed of salad greens).

I ended this with orange-almond lacy butter cookies.

And finally, the celebrated individual (my dad) enjoying the meal!

Healthy, Vegetarian Father’s Day Dinner = Success!

We also ate blackbean portabello patties, corn salsa, and roasted red bell pepper soup for like, the next three days.