The Dad Special

What’s the Dad Special? It’s a meal that kids want, parents love, and dad cooks. Whether breakfast, dinner, snack, or dessert, family recipe or new tradition, ready in 15 minutes or a bubbling, all-day affair, it’s a go-to recipe that streamlines meal-prep — and often involves family bonding as a bonus. Provided to us by award-winning chefs and restauranteurs as well as regular dads across a wide variety of backgrounds, this recipe collection is intended to inspire, nourish, and make the task of feeding a family a little bit easier.

Dad Special

Chef Pierre Thiam’s Berry Porridge Is A Hit With Picky Toddlers

ByMatt Berical

The Senegalese chef often prepares this breakfast for his two-and-a-half-year-old. It's creamy, comforting, and packed with a secret superfood.

The Dad Special

Chef Ken Oringer’s Asparagus Risotto Is A Family Meal Worth Making

ByMatt Berical

The acclaimed chef shares his family-favorite recipe, along with three essential tips for creating a perfectly creamy texture every time.

Dad Special

David Chang’s Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe Is Damn Delicious

ByFatherly

Cured salmon. Steamed, seasoned rice. What's not to love?

The Dad Special

Duff Goldman’s S’more Cookies Belong In Your Holiday Rotation

ByMatt Berical

This recipe from the Ace of Cakes himself is a creative homage to the classic campfire treat in cookie form.

Dad Special

How A Michelin-Starred Chef Makes Roast Chicken For His Daughter

ByMike Diago

Acclaimed Puerto Rican chef Juan José Cuevas keeps things simple at home with this ultra-comforting meal.

The Dad Special

This Mole Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Is Sure To Become A Family Favorite

ByMike Diago

Chef Oscar Padilla’s recipe is time-consuming, but boy is the end result worth it.

The Dad Special

You’ll Want To Make Chef Luis Guevara Salgado’s Caldo Tlalpeño Again And Again

ByChef Luis Guevara Salgado and Mike Diago

The chicken and rice soup hits all the right notes.

The Dad Special

Scott Conant’s Crispy Chicken Cutlet With Melted Tomatoes Will Make Your Week

ByChef Scott Conant and Matt Berical

This meal makes regular appearances at the chef and Chopped Judge's dinner table. It's easy to see why.

The Dad Special

Chef Thomas Boemer’s Fried Chicken Recipe Is Comfort Food At Its Finest

ByMatt Berical

The chef and co-owner of Minneapolis’ Revival shares his beloved fried chicken recipe — and a few tricks for nailing a golden brown bird.

The Dad Special

Chef Scotty Scott’s New-School Red Beans and Rice

ByChristian Dashiell

In his debut cookbook, Scott remixes soul food standards and reinvents traditional Southern cooking in the process.

The Dad Special

What An Iron Chef Prepares His Son For Breakfast

ByMatt Berical

Chef Marc Forgione makes mornings fun for his 3-year-old with this healthy, playful recipe.

The Dad Special

You'll Want to Eat This Grilled Tomato Sandwich All Summer Long

ByMatt Berical

Pitmaster Pat Martin’s take on the classic summer sandwich is all about the little things.

Veggie Tales

Rodney Scott's Grilled Vegetable Salad Recipe Will Make Your Summer

ByChristian Dashiell

The acclaimed pitmaster wasn't a big fan of vegetables until he put his own spin on them.

Dad Special

Chef Donald Counts’ Simple Meatball Recipe Will Make Grandmothers Proud

ByMatt Berical

A good Italian meatball is a magical thing. Here, Chef Donald Counts of City Winery, shares his trick for making them right.

Dad Special

This Savory, Simple Japanese Chawanmushi Recipe Is Perfect for Kids

ByMatt Berical

Courtesy of Chef Jeffrey Tam, the popular savory custard is nourishing, easy to prepare, and endlessly adaptable.

Life

This Barbecue Kettle Corn Will Quickly Become Your Family’s New Favorite Snack

ByChristian Dashiell

Salty, sweet, spicy, and crunchy, this fan-favorite recipe comes courtesy of Matt Abdoo of Pig Beach in New York.