A Guy's Dinner

In my house this means beer, great grilled meat, and a really decadent, pull-out-the-stops chocolate dessert. Experience tells me this works wonders on most men, so beware -- I have found men milling about on my lawn when I've been smoking meat on the grill. If you're single you could end up with a marriage proposal. If you're married, let your husband do the grilling, though even he may get a few offers -- this steak recipe is really that good.

As always, most of this meal can be made ahead, leaving you time to enjoy the company of the men you love the most.

• Dandy Shandy
• Beer-Marinated Peppered T-Bones
• Panzanella (Bread Salad)
• Summertime Tortellini
• Today's Silk Pie

 

Of course most guys would say that beer is the perfect summertime thirst-quencher, and nothing is more manly than stout beer. The Dandy Shandy, however, takes what could be a rather heavy beer for hot days and it turns into a refreshing cocktail, great for Macho or Metro Dads.

View Dandy Shandy recipe

 

Sounds like a recipe Homer Simpson would invent, to be sure, but this steak will please sophisticated palates, too. Mmmm...meat.

View Beer-Marinated Peppered T-Bones recipe

 

Day-old bread is best for this marinated Italian salad. Men who try to avoid vegetables will end up eating some just to get at those flavor-packed bites of bread.

View Panzanella (Bread Salad) recipe

 

Cool off with this warm-weather pasta salad. The presentation will add panache to Dad's Day.

View Summertime Tortellini recipe

If you're lucky, you'll still have some tomorrow -- but all bets are off once he gets a taste of this pie.

View Today's French Silk Pie recipe