Lemon meringue pie

If you’re looking for a dessert that Dad will love this weekend, try this lemon meringue pie, which mixes sweet and tart beautifully. It’s one of my Dad’s favorites, and Mom has made it frequently for him through the years.

Don’t worry if you’ve never made a meringue before. Follow these steps and it will be easy. You can also use it for coconut cream pie or any other pie that you’d like to top with meringue.

Best-Ever Lemon Pie

1 1/4 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups water
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 egg yolks
1 ½ teaspoon lemon extract
3 tablespoons margarine or butter
2 teaspoons white apple cider vinegar
1 (9-inch) baked pie crust

Never-fail Meringue:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
½ cup boiling water
3 egg whites
6 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt

Set up double boiler by bringing water in the lower pan to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Mix sugar and cornstarch together in top of double boiler. Add water. In a separate bowl, combine lemon juice with egg yolks and beat until well mixed. Add to sugar mixture. Cook until thick, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally and being careful not to overcook. (If it gets too thick to stir, then it has overcooked.) Add lemon extract, margarine and vinegar, and stir thoroughly. Pour mixture into pie crust. Cool.

When ready to finish pie, heat oven to 350 degrees.

To make meringue: Blend cornstarch and cold water in saucepan. Add boiling water and cook until clear and thick. Cool completely. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites at high speed until foamy. Add sugar and continue beating until stiff. Turn mixer to low speed. Add salt and vanilla. Gradually add cold cornstarch mixture. Turn mixer again to high speed. Beat well until peaks form. Immediately pile meringue on pie, swirling into hills and valleys making sure it touches all sides. Have meringue on edge as high as in center of pie. Place pie on two stacked baking sheets to prevent further baking of the crust.

Brown in oven for about 10 minutes until peaks turn a golden brown.

Makes 1 pie.

From Annaliese Griffin

By Jeremy Parzen

Wine makes a great gift for Dad.

Five years ago, it would have been unimaginable to give dad wine for father’s day. Back then, in the age before the millennial generation decided that it would make wine its favorite luxury beverage, we still bought our fathers ties, golf clubs, and Weber grills and smokers to celebrate their “special day.”

But fast forward to the summer of 2012 and many of those dads are millennials themselves. And even those who still belong to generation X have come to understand the vital importance of wine in society today.

If you’re planning to give Dad a groovy bottle this year, look beyond the predictable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that the baby boomers still drink. After all, who wants to drink tannic, highly alcoholic, concentrated, chunky and immature Napa Valley Cab in the Texas summer, with temperatures already hitting 100 degrees and beyond.

Here are some interesting, food-friendly wines currently available in our market, at prices that sit nicely within a gift-giving budget — even if you’ve got two dads!

Vincent Girardin 2009 Sauvigny-les-Beaune

This bottle is what New Yorker’s call “outer borough” Burgundy, a great introduction to Pinot Noir from its most famous appellation (Gabriel’s Superstore, $27.99).

Mongeard Mugneret 2009 Fixin

Fixin is one of Burgundy’s “best kept secrets,” a village located adjacent to the more famous Gevrey-Chambertin (Gabriel’s Superstore, $28.99).

Castelgiocondo 2005 Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello is Italian for “perfect gift for dad.” We’re not sure how Gabriel’s managed offer to this obscenely low price for a modern-style Brunello (and wine pundit favorite), but we’re not asking any questions (not on the floor; ask a salesperson; Gabriel’s Superstore, $25).

Château Pradeaux 2007 Bandol Rosé

Rosé isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think Dad but this year think “pink”: this classic producer delivers muscular, austere expressions of rosé from Mourvèdre from Southern France (Saglimbeni, $37.99; everything 20 percent off Friday and Saturday).

Fontanafredda 2008 Briccotondo Barbera

The Italians like to chill their Barbera in summertime and this wine, with vibrant acidity and wild berry fruit flavors, is ideal for summer grills (Saglimbeni, $17.99; everything 20 percent off Friday and Saturday).

Jeremy Parzen, author of the blog DoBianchi.com, believes that “food and wine are exegetic tools that help to attain a more profound understanding of the human condition and experience.” He resides in Austin with his wife, Tracie, and their 5-month-old daughter, Georgia.

Roasted Corn with Parmesan-Lemon Topping

 4-8 ears of fresh corn (in the husk)

Parmesan-Lemon Topping (see recipe below)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the corn, still in the husks, directly on the oven rack and roast for about 20 minutes (until the corn is soft when you press on it).

Allow the corn to cool enough so you can pull back the husks and eat with the Parmesan-Lemon topping.

Parmesan Lemon Topping

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Zest of 2 lemons

1 cup mayonnaise

Kosher salt, to taste

Combine all ingredients and use as a topping/spread for roasted or grilled corn.

Recipe Created by Chef Michael Flores  •  ©2012 Mis En Place, LLC

Log on to ~ CookwithMichael.com for more information.

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill at the Shops at La Cantera, 15900 La Cantera Parkway, is having a Father’s Day giveaway, with the grand prize being food for Dad for a year.

Film a video of 30 seconds or less and talk about why your dad is the greatest. Then post the video on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate each month for 12 months. (They expect Dad to get the certificate, but who’ll know?)

Deadline for posting your video is Father’s Day, June 17.

For more details, call (210) 690-3334.

Restaurateurs, Father’s Day is coming. If you’re planning something special for Dear Ol’ Dad, let us know. Send the details by noon Wednesday to griffin@savorsa.com or walker@savorsa.com. And have a great Father’s Day.

End your Father's Day dinner at Morton's with the Legendary Chocolate Cake.

Father’s Day is June 19 this year, which is just around the corner. Don’t make Dad grill in this sweltering heat. Take him out for brunch or dinner. Several of the restaurants featured below are offering gifts in addition to the meals.

Reservations are appreciated unless otherwise stated. Prices do not include tax or tip.

Auden’s Kitchen, 700 E. Sonterra Blvd., 210-494-0070 — Father’s Day brunch will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dinner from 3 to 9 p.m. The regular menus will be offered along with the following specials: Venison Sausage Pizza with roasted red peppers, grilled fennel and more; and a Beer-marinated 16-ounce Bone-in New York Strip with Horseradish Mashers and Grilled Asparagus. The cocktail of the day will be Lynchburg Lemonade while the beer special is the Black & Tan.

Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, 219 E. Houston St.,  (210) 472-2600 — On Father’s Day, Bohanan’s will feature its full menu, starting at 5 p.m. In addition, all dads will receive a package of golf balls. www.bohanans.com

Crumpets, 3920 Harry Wurzbach Road, 210-821-5600 — Chef Francois Maeder is giving Dad a brunch with live music and a host of options during brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Start with an appetizer, such as puff pastry with wine mushroom sauce, Scottish smoked salmon or mousse truffle pâté. Main course options include shrimp salad on avocado, eggs Benedict, chicken breast with Champagne sauce, veal scaloppini with mushroom cognac sauce, fresh rainbow trout amandine, or tenderloin of beef with green peppercorn sauce. The Trilogy, a combination featuring tenderloin of beef Rossini, lobster tail and rack of lamb Provençal, will also be available. All entrées are served with an appetizer, house salad, vegetables, breads, dessert, coffee or iced tea and wine or Champagne. A children’s menu is available for those under 10 years of age. Crumpets will also be open 5-9 p.m. that day for dinner.  www.crumpetsa.com

Earl Abel’s, 1201 Austin Hwy., 210-822-3358 — Two breakfast specials are offered on Father’s Day: Blueberry Pancakes (three thins or two buttermilk), one egg, hash browns, and two slices of bacon or two house-made sausage patties ($10) and an Orange or Cranberry Mimosa ($7). Lunch and dinner specials  include Fried Buffalo Wings, usually reserved for special events or private dining, will be an appetizer; Baby Back Ribs with Earl Abel’s own homemade barbecue sauce; and a Fisherman’s Platter with fried shrimp, fried catfish and homemade hush puppies.  Boston Crème and the Coconut Cream pie are among the special desserts of the day. The lunch and dinner specials will be available after the end of breakfast service, which is 11 a.m. The breakfast specials are available all day, 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 255 E. Basse Road, 210-824-9463 — A three-course brunch special will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Father’s Day in addition to the regular menu. Dad will receive a $25 dining card for a future return visit to the restaurant.

Las Canarias, La Mansion del Rio, 112 College St., 210-518-1063 — On Father’s Day, Las Canarias will serve its Champagne Brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the items on the buffet: Applewood-smoked Bacon, country breakfast sausage, chilaquiles, eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon, Vanilla Malt Pancakes and Waffles, chef-prepared omelets, European charcutiere, Ricotta Cheese Tortellini, Bluebonnet Heirloom Tomatoes, Grass-fed Beef Tartare, Green Melon Gazpacho, and Blackened Chicken Penne Pasta. Cost: $49.95 for adults and $24.95 for children ages 6-12. Regular dining will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Lion and Rose, various locations — Father’s Day brunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Some of the favorites from the menu include eggs Benedict, Irish Hash and Eggs, the Breakfast Burger and Wimbledon French Toast. Drink specials include:  Mimosa, $3.49; Bloody Mary, $3; Irish Bulldog $5; Pimm’s Royal, $4.99; and Pimm’s Punch $4.99. thelionandrose.com

Lüke, 175 E. Houston St., 210-227-5853 — The restaurant is offering a three-course tasting menu for Father’s Day. It will be available during brunch and dinner. Each course is paired with a 5-ounce beer.  Appetizer choices are either Spicy Crawfish Pies and the Alamo Golden Ale or Potato Gnocchi with ham hock, local beans and mustard with Ranger Creek South Texas Lager. Entrée options are Potato-crusted Stuffed Soft Shell Crab over Pearl Market vegetables with Breckenridge Agave Wheat or South Texas Heritage Pork Shoulder Steak and frites with Ranger Creek La Bestia Amiable Strong Ale. Dessert is Rhew Orchards Peach Upside-down Cake with sour cream ice cream and Tripel Karmeliet Abbey Ale. Cost: $40.

Mariposa Restaurant, Nieman-Marcus in the Shops at La Cantera, 15900 La Cantera Pkwy., 210-694-3550 — Brunch will be served on Father’s Day from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to the regular menu, specials will include Ranchero Steak and Eggs ($20), Braised Short Ribs with grits and roasted chipotle sauce ($20) and Crab Cake Eggs Benedict with avocado ($20).

Texas de Brazil is ready to serve a host of meats for Father's Day.

Max’s Wine Dive, 340 East Basse Road, Suite 101, 210-444-9547 — Celebrate Father’s Day with the Ultimate Baconator (braised pork belly, applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar cheese, and garlic aioli with heirloom tomatoes and more sandwiched between grilled New World bakery sourdough bread for $15), Roasted Garlic-Studded Prime Rib with bone marrow au jus for $25 and Max’s Giant Smore for $9. Plenty of wine specials for Dad are also offered. maxswinedive.com

Morton’s the Steakhouse, 300 E. Crockett St., 210-228-0700 — The Father’s Day special begins with choice of a soup or salad: Baked Five Onion Soup Crusted with Swiss Cheese, Caesar Salad or Center-cut Iceberg. Main course choices include  Double Cut Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce, New York Strip Steak, Cajun Ribeye Steak, Broiled Salmon Fillet with Beurre Blanc Sauce and Chicken Christopher with Garlic Beurre Blanc Sauce. Choose a vegetable or potato side dish and end with either Carrot Cake or Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake. Cost: $69 a person. Full menu also available.

Ostra, Mokara Hotel and Spa, 212 W. Crockett St., 210-396-5817 — Ostra’s regular à la carte menu will be available during breakfast and lunch on Father’s Day. Featured specials will be offered during dinner service beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Texas de Brazil, 313 East Houston St., 210-299-1600 — In celebration of Father’s Day, Texas de Brazil will open at 11 a.m. with its full dinner menu and will showcase a display of unique motorcycles and exotic cars for Dad to view along with his meal. The traditional cuts beef, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage will be offered alongside the salad bar with more than 50 items.

Tre Trattoria Downtown 401 S. Alamo St. 210-223-0401. Dad will love the $5 Bloody Marys and hearty brunch items like Tuscan Steak and Eggs or Breakfast Pizza with roasted potato, red pepper, cilantro, red onion and scrambled eggs at Tre Trattoria Downtown.  Located in the historic Fairmount hotel across from Hemisfair Park, Chef Jason Dady’s Tuscan Italian restaurant will be open this Father’s Day at 10 a.m. for brunch and will begin dinner service at 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended by calling the phone number above; walk-ins are also welcome.

Two Bros BBQ Market 12650 West Ave. 210-496-0222 — Celebrate Father’s Day with beef ribs and specials for buckets of beer, in addition to the full menu of classic Texas barbecue featuring slow smoked brisket and homemade sides.  Open 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wildfish Seafood Grille, 1834 N. Loop 1604 W.,  (210) 493-1600 — Wildfish has several specials for Father’s Day beginning at 5 p.m. The steak and lobster specials start at $44 for an 8-ounce filet and a half broiled and stuffed Maine lobster.  Wines on the cellar list will be offered at 25 percent off.  Plus, all fathers will receive a $25 gift card for a future visit. www.wildfishseafoodgrille.com

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill, 15900 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 25100. 210-690-3334 — Z’Tejas will offer $5 bonus cards for every $25 gift card purchase through June 19. Bonus cards, up to two per visit, may be redeemed June 20 -July 31. Father’s Day brunch will be served from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The weekend fun bar, featuring make-your-own Bloody Marys and mimosas for $3.50, will be available. Reservations not required. sanantonio.ztejas.com.

Jovani Gava and Gauchos at Fogo de Chão

For many fathers, nothing brings a bigger smile to their face than a seemingly endless meal of fine meats and flavorful side dishes.  SavorSA has partnered with Fogo de Chão to offer you a chance to win dinner for two at their downtown San Antonio location.

The Brazilian Churrascaria has a salad bar with over 30 items including fresh vegetables, cured meats, and imported cheeses.  When ready, guests flip over their card to bring on the meats.  The Gaucho chefs will start bringing to your table 15 selections including beef tenderloin, Picanha (top sirloin), and Cordeiro (lamb chops).

To enter, fill out the form below.  The winner will be randomly selected from the entries received and get a gift certificate good for dinner for two people.  Please submit only one entry per person.  We will announce the winner on Thursday afternoon.  Don’t forget to tell your father to enter too. Good luck!

Does your dad love to cook? Try these suggestions for Father's Day.

Sometimes, it feels impossible to find the right gift for Dad.  Check out our list of 10 options that may bring a smile to his face this Father’s Day.

A Growler of Fresh Beer:  Here’s a gift that you can share with Dad!  At Freetail Brewing Co., buy the glass growler for $5 and fill it with your choice of beer for $11 – $22 depending on the beer.  On Sundays including Father’s Day, they offer a $2 discount.   They are located at 4035 N Loop 1604 W., Suite 105.  Blue Star Brewing Co., 1414 South Alamo, Suite 105, also offers to-go growlers, priced at $21 for both beer and container.  They are not open on Sundays, so if you decide to give one to Dad on Father’s Day, be sure to pick it up in advance.

On the Rocks Whiskey Stones ($19.50):  These little stones can hang out in the freezer until Dad pulls them out for a cool cocktail that will not get diluted.  They are perfect for chilling a generous pour of scotch or bourbon. (Click here.)

Cooking Classes (prices vary):  Does your father like to experiment in the kitchen?  Could he augment his grilling skills with some instruction in other cuisines?  Get him a gift certificate from Central Market Cooking School and let him pick which ever class peaks his interest. (Click here.)

Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener 204MF ($48.10): This tri-angle manual sharpener can handle serrated and plain edged knives.  For novices to hand-sharpening, it comes with a DVD fully explaining the process.  One SavorSA contributor couldn’t put his away until he sharpened every single knife in the house, even the pruning shears!  (Click here.)

Chef’s Tables (prices vary): Several restaurants around town can whip up a very special meal highlighting the chef’s mastery of skills.  A few of these include Pavil, The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills, Biga on the Banks and Aldaco’s.  Call for reservations.

Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whiskey Glasses, Set of 2 ($39.95): To appreciate a fine scotch, serve it in a glass designed for single malts.  These Riedel glasses feature a deep bowl on a short stem.  (Click here.)

Rancilio Rocky Burr Grinder with Doser ($358.90): If Dad drains a pot of coffee before he even leaves for work, this burr grinder is perfect for any grind from French press coarse through espresso fine.  In one of our kitchens, this workhorse has been in daily use for 6 years without any problems.  (Click here.)

Planet Barbecue!: 309 Recipes, 60 Countries ($15.61): The PBS television personality traveled 6 continents for the recipes that fill his latest book’s 600+ pages.  (Click here.)

A Texas spirits sampler: Put together a basket of Texas spirits, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Savvy Vodka, Republic Tequila, Treaty Oak Rum and more. Many of these are available at fine liquor stores.

Vertical Chicken Roaster ($30): Does Dad like beer-can chicken, but doesn’t like the way the bird can sometimes turn on its side? Use this vertical roaster from Williams Sonoma. There’s a center cone you can fill with beer, wine or any beverage you choose to make the chicken as moist as possible. (Click here.)

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard, near Elmendorf, will observe Father’s Day on Saturday, offering tours and treats featuring this healthful, delicious fruit with an ancient history. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., come down to the ranch to see thousands of olive trees and learn about the varieties that grow well in Texas. Tours are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sandy Oaks nursery offers 20 varieties of olive trees for sale, for those who want to grow their own.

Dad can have a glass of sangria, kids can have pizza snacks and everyone can sample olive leaf tea. Taste olive oil and specially made treats made with olive oil, such as olive oil brownies. Check out the shop for everything from extra virgin olive oil, fig balsamic vinegar and to Sandy Oaks’ made-on-site lotions, healing salves, salt scrub and aromatic oil.

From now through Saturday, anyone who purchases more than $40 worth of merchandise in the gift shop will receive a gift of either truffles or olive oil brownies.

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard (www.sandyoaks.com), owned by Saundra C. Winokur, is located at 25195 Mathis Road, off U.S. Highway 37 about 20 minutes south of San Antonio. Take the Hardy Road Exit and turn east (left, if coming from San Antonio.) Go to Mathis Road, turn left, and Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard is on your left about a third of a mile up Mathis Road. Look for the big iron gate.