Teeth-Friendly Recipes to Keep Dad Smiling on Father’s Day

With Father’s Day upon us, COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing rules may mean your plans to celebrate dad’s special day are looking a little different this year.

If taking dad out for a family lunch is off the cards, don’t despair - we’ve got some delicious, teeth-friendly recipes to help you cook up a Father’s Day feast that’s sure to put a big healthy smile on his face.

Cheese and Spinach Bake

If dad’s a cheese lover, he’ll be thrilled to learn that cheese is good for his teeth (within reason!). Like other dairy products, cheese is rich in calcium, which helps to strengthen teeth against decay and replace minerals that may have been removed by acids.

Spinach is another teeth-friendly ingredient that provides calcium, iron and other vitamins and minerals that are great for your teeth and bones.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups frozen spinach (thawed)
• 1 cup creamed cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Soften creamed cheese by heating in the microwave for 30 seconds.

2. Heat butter in a saucepan and add shallots. Cook for a few minutes, then add garlic and stir. Add spinach, creamed cheese, and salt and pepper, and combine.

3. Transfer mixture to a baking tray, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden.

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Glazed Carrots

Oily fish, like the salmon used in this show-stopping recipe, is a healthy option for your teeth. These types of fish are high in vitamin D, which allows your body to absorb and use calcium - a critical nutrient for protecting teeth and gums from disease. Pistachios are also rich sources of vitamin D and calcium, making them oral health superstars.

And while carrots may help dad to see in the dark, they’re also high in fibre and vitamin A, which can help to support healthy teeth and gums.

Ingredients:

• 3 salmon fillets
• 400g baby carrots
• 1 shallot, sliced
• ½ lemon, sliced (reserve other ½ for juice)
• ½ cup ground pistachios
• Parsley to garnish

For the Maple glaze:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp each garlic and ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. In a small bowl, whisk together maple glaze ingredients.

2. Place carrots on a baking sheet, brush with half the glaze, and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

3. Remove carrots from the oven and place salmon fillets between them on the baking tray. Add shallot and lemon slices between the carrots and the salmon, and squeeze lemon juice over the top.

4. Place in the oven for another 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and rub ground pistachios on top of salmon fillets, coating evenly.

5. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until salmon is cooked and vegetables are roasted. Top with fresh parsley to serve.

Roasted Pear Parfait

For dads that have a serious sweet tooth, it can be hard to come up with a recipe that satisfies those sweet cravings whilst not destroying your teeth. This mouthwatering yet incredibly simple parfait is here to the rescue, with its mostly teeth-friendly ingredients and fresh flavours.

It contains plain yoghurt, which is a great source of calcium and protein, while the pears contain a host of healthy nutrients that help to support oral health.

Ingredients:

• 4 small pears, chopped with seeds removed
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon (plus a pinch to serve)
• 4 cups yoghurt

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Toss the pears with the melted butter and cinnamon.

2. Roast the pears for 20-25 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool.

3. Divide pears evenly between 4 bowls or glasses, and top each with yoghurt.

4. Add a pinch of cinnamon to each dish to serve.