Sounds like Daddy Issues

Some people never get to know their father. And, some know them all too well. But, what is a father anyway? Your mother carried you inside her for 9 months. She had to make some major life changes and put up with a lot of physical and emotional trauma to bring you into the world. Dad? He was there for the fun part. And, then his part was really done. Although, most fathers do stick around for support. But, really, that’s their only real function. They aren’t a critical part of the whole development and birthing sequence. Why are they such an integral part of our lives? It Sounds like Daddy Issues. So, today, we celebrate Father’s day anyway.

There are tons of stories of good and bad relationships between children and their fathers. And, the father figure isn’t necessarily the sperm donor. He doesn’t even have to be related. There are plenty of uncles, boyfriends, second and third husbands, and even a janitor or two who fill the bill. In essence, a father is a role model, friend, companion, mentor, or other influence on a developing life. Some can be mean, distant, and downright nasty. Some are compassionate and caring, most lie somewhere in between. And, a large number are absent during the formative years of a child (due to a variety of reasons). But, the presence or absence of one creates a lasting impact. At some point, everyone has to face their daddy issues.

Imperfection Sounds like Daddy Issues

One thing is for sure, no father is perfect. As with every relationship in our lives, there is the inevitable misstep. It can be a small infraction like forgetting your favorite ice cream. Or, it can be a big one, like going out for cigarettes and not coming back. Even the best father will do something that the child perceives as a slight. It’s part of being a sentient being. And, usually, it has more to do with the kid than the father. This is especially salient during the teen years. It’s inevitable that their will be friction during this period. When a child is in Junior high and high school, both parents are the biggest idiots. By 19 or 20, you can’t believe how smart they got in just a couple years. They didn’t change, you did. Sounds like Daddy Issues.

We forget what fathers really do for us. Your mother gave birth, creating a special bond. Fathers or father figures are there because they actually want to be. Some fathers skip out on the child and/or mother. But, the ones who stick around do so out of loyalty, love, and respect. What do we give them in return? A lot of attitude and push-back. But, think what they go through. Remember, we don’t come with an instruction manual. Well, there is Dr Spock and an industry of how to books. But, unlike a washing machine or TV, there isn’t a manual for your particular model. So, even when they do everything by the book, there will be friction. And, there are days when you wish he had gone out for cigarettes and never came back. But, one day you realize what he did for, and, went through with for you.

Try again, this time with feeling

You may have kids of your own, or, just reach a point in life where wisdom kicks in. That’s when you see past the petty infractions of a guy trying to do the best he knows. Maybe he didn’t give you the attention you wanted. Perhaps, he gave you too much attention. maybe he was overzealous and demanding. Chances are he wanted you to be the best version of you that could be. Sometimes that means he wants you to be a great doctor, lawyer, or some profession with prestige. Most likely, though, he wants you to be the best version of you there is. And, that doesn’t mean your profession. I think Monty Python sums up what dads want from you in the Meaning of life:

“Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations“.

The band XTC sum up the realization process of getting past your rebellious youth phase in the song: The world’s full of angry young men:

“All through my youth
I was shouting and no one would hear
Blind to the ways
Of the people who now I hold dear
It’s loud and clear“

So, the father and child relationship is a two way street. And, it takes years to fully see the big picture. It takes a different perspective that only time can provide: Blind to the ways, it’s loud and clear.

Celebrate the Epiphany

When you lose a father, it’s generally too late to express your newfound respect and understanding. But, that’s often when people reach their epiphany. People can go a whole lifetime thinking they did something wrong over a slight transgression that’s blown out of proportion. Again, XTC captures the epiphany moment: “Things that you said/Now seem small/They just don’t seem to matter/I look for the better.” Whatever happened between you and your father, it can be forgiven. And, the real relationship will take center stage. When both parties accept each other for what they are, that’s when the relationship blossoms. Everything else sound like daddy issues.

So, whether you are still in the “what an idiot” phase or somewhere on the epiphany path, it is father’s day. That means it’s time to celebrate the actual or pending epiphany. So, find out what your father really likes and try not to be a disappointment. It’s a good day to Follow Monty Python’s advice: try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations. Let’s start by getting along with our fathers without all the daddy issues.

Maybe it’s beer he likes. If so, we have some good beer ideas: You can brew your own. Or you can cook with beer. Try the recipes in this post.

But, beer isn’t the only thing dads like. Remember, dad’s (like all humans) come in a variety of shapes sizes, and proclivities. Some don’t drink. But, that sounds like daddy issues (or an actual medical condition such as addictive personality disorder from the DSM) In which case, maybe something non alcoholic is more in order. Perhaps, we should even bring in something healthy like our vegan Wild mushroom risotto.

Here’s your recipe to disabuse those daddy issues:

Nothing binds people together like breaking bread. So, today, we bring you some bread based ideas that will put a smile on the face of any father and child pairing. Feel free to substitute ingredients where necessary, like if there are allergies, etc. Here are a couple recipes that should make for a good day to bond with your father:

Truffled Mushroom White Pizza

cheffd

Print Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Dough Rising time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Italian American

Servings 2 Large Pizzas

Equipment

• Pizza Stone Optional
• Pizza Peel Optional

Ingredients

  

• For Crust
• 4 Cups Flour, Typo 00 and/or bread flour
• 1 Tbsp Dry active Yeast
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Kosher or sea Salt
• 1 1/2 Cup Warm water
• 2 to 3 Tbsp Olive oil
• For Sauce:
• 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh garlic
• 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Shallot
• 3 Cups Heavy Cream, preferable 40% fat content
• 1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• olive oil for cooking
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Toppings:
• 1/2 Cup Julienne Sweet Onions
• 2 Cup Sliced Fresh Wild Mushrooms (assorted)
• 1 tsp Truffle Oil
• 2 to 4 Cup Shredded Cheese You can do a blend, but have mozzarella as a minimum
• 1 tsp Chopped Fresh Thyme
• 1 tsp Chopped Fresh Oregano (may substitute dry)
• 6 to 8 large fresh basil leaves
• Corn meal to prevent sticking

Instructions

 

• Make the Pizza dough: Stir the yeast and sugar into the warm water in a mixing bowl. Allow to bloom for at least 10 minutes. It will froth up. Then add the remaining ingredients. Mix with a dough hook until it forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Continue kneading at low to medium speed for about another minute. Lightly oil the dough and put back in the bowl. Allow to rise for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to highest setting. This is about 550 for most ovens. Put pizza stone in the oven to preheat if you have one. Or you can preheat a sheet pan if you don't.
• Make your sauce: Saute shallot and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add the cream. Bring to a boil and then taper back to a simmer. Stir frequently, and, cook down until it is 1/2 the volume and the cream is thickened. Whisk in the Cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat some more olive oil in a saute pan. Saute onions until softened. Add in the mushrooms and cook, stirring as needed until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Then stir in the thyme and oregano.
• Assemble the pizza: Cut the dough into smaller balls (2 or 4). Coat lightly with flour to make easier to pull. Stretch the dough out evenly by hand until it is no more than 1/4 inch thick. Lightly dust a pizza peel with corn meal to prevent sticking. Lay down the dough. Spread a small amount of sauce over the middle of the dough. Top with cheese, onions, and mushrooms. Drizzle with truffle oil. Then transfer to the pizza stone or sheet pan. But, sprinkle more corn meal onto the stone or pan (again to prevent sticking). Bake for about 10 minutes. Turn if necessary. You want a browned crust and all the cheese melted. The cheese should also brown a bit, but not to the point of burning. Remove pizza from the oven and top with basil leaves and a little more truffle oil. Cut evenly into pieces, and serve hot.

Notes

If you don’t want the white sauce, you can always use a tomato sauce. It can be as simple as pureeing canned tomatoes with a little garlic and oregano or make a marinara with basil and oregano. Remember, it’s pizza. It’s supposed to be fun. Play with it. Try different things.

Keyword cheese, Dough, flatbread, Pizza, Truffle, White Sauce, Wild Mushroom

Olive Ladder Bread

cheffd

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Rising time in 3 steps 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course bread

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 loaves

Ingredients

  

• 7 cups bread flour
• 3 cups warm water
• 1 Tbsp Dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt kosher
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cups chopped olives without pits kalamata or a mix of olives
• 1 tsp cracked black peppercorns
• Extra oil for coating and baking the bread

Instructions

 

• Mix sugar, yeast and water in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Allow to bloom until it becomes a little foamy.
• Add 1/3 of the flour and beat for about a minute until it is smooth. Cover with plastic and let sit for about 30 minutes to an hour.
• When the starter is a bit spongy, add the rest of the ingredients, and mix well with the machine. Then pop out onto a floured surface and knead by hand until the dough (with the exception of the olives) is smooth.
• coat the dough with oil and return to a mixing bowl. Allow to rise for 2 to 3 hours. It should double in volume
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Oil a couple sheet pans.
• Cut the dough into 4 portions. Knead each into a ball. Then flatten them to about 3/4 inch thick rectangles or ovals. Place them onto oiled sheet pans, cover with a damp cloth or plastic and let rise about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Before putting into the oven, slit the bread loaves multiple times to mimic a ladder. Cut through the dough, about an inch or 2 between each slit. Pull the slits to widen the gaps if desired. Brush the tops of the bread with oil. Then pop in the oven.
• After 10 to 12 minutes, check the bread. Turn the loaves and switch pans from lower racks if necessary so they all cook evenly. Put back in for another 10 to 12 minutes until they achieve a nice golden brown.

Keyword Ascension day, flat bread, gluten, ladder bread, olive, yeast