While there are a thousand ways to celebrate the man who has given so much of himself, few gestures carry the warmth of a meal made with intention. Once a year, we get to stop and say, in the most deliberate and loving way possible, thank you.

We bring you a bold Mexican-inspired beef bowl, elegant seaweed-steamed mussels, a slow-cooked oxtail potjie, a rich and hearty luxury seswaa, and a fragrant fish biryani that's worth every step. There's something for every kind of dad and every kind of celebration.

1. Mexican beef bowl

If you're looking for a dinner that feels a bit special without requiring a whole day in the kitchen, this Mexican-inspired beef bowl is exactly that. It's the kind of meal that looks like you put in a lot more effort than you did and that's always a win.

Mexican beef bowl recipe

2. Seaweed-steamed mussels

The idea is simple: instead of steaming mussels in water, you line the pan with kombu seaweed first. It's a small change that makes a real difference. As the heat builds and the mussels start to open, the seaweed releases its flavour into the steam and the mussels absorb it.

Seaweed-steamed mussels recipe

3. Oxtail potjie  

There aren't many dishes that can genuinely justify a three-hour cooking time, but an oxtail potjie is one of them. It's the kind of meal you plan around. You light the fire early, get everything into the pot, put the lid on and then more or less forget about it while the coals do the work. And when it's done, you immediately understand why it was worth the wait.

Oxtail potjie recipe

4. Luxury seswaa 

If you've never had seswaa before, this is a good place to start. It's a traditional dish that's been a staple at celebrations for the Sotho people for generations. This version builds on that foundation using bone-in beef shortrib, a glass of red wine, and a slow braise that results in something genuinely worth making.

Luxury seswaa recipe

5. Fish biryani  

The fish is kingklip, which holds up well to the spices and layering without falling apart.  As a final step, squeeze over some lemon juice, scoop deep so you get everything in one serving and that's it. It takes a bit more effort than the other recipes on this list, but it's the kind of dish people talk about after the meal is done.

Fish biryani recipe

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

This content was created with AI assistance, however it was fact-checked, edited and ideated by actual human beings at TASTE.