Chewy Oat Cookies with a Banana Bread Influence for a Father's Day #SundaySupper

I'm in the running for the worst daughter of the year. For the second year in a row, I've done nothing for my Dear Old Man on either his birthday or Father's Day! Okay, well, I did make (print) him a card for both days this year, but it seems like as the years wear on, the days where I'd gleefully present my dad with some piece of junk (picked up from a garage sale or dollar store with my allowance) are becoming more and more faded. Not that I'd know what to buy him anyway. I don't know about you, but I find my parents incredibly hard to buy for! Part of it is that what I would really want to give them I simply can't afford (like the Jag for my mom), but I've simply run out of unique ideas too. I'm thinking a game of golf (again)... not a bad option, given that we both like the "walk in a park" as we call it!

The other thing my dad and I share is a love of food. It's a symbiotic relationship of sorts - he loves to eat a wide variety of cuisine, and I love to cook from cultures all over the world. Sometimes, though, it's the food closest to home that stands out above the rest. When it comes to desserts, there is nothing I associate with my dad more than banana bread (except perhaps peanut butter banana bread). Now that Summer is here, my dad is on the road a lot (up and down from the trailer, fishing, family events and helping my sister out at her apartment), so it only made sense to convert that favourite dessert into something a little more portable - hence the birth of this chewy, banana and chocolate-laced oatmeal cookie. With tons of thick-cut oats, toasted walnuts, chocolate covered cacao nibs and dried bananas, its the best of both worlds. There isn't even that much sugar in the batter, which is a boon for my dad (a pre-diabetic) as well as anyone who's watching their calories, carbs or blood glucose for other reasons. Feel free to take a second one, and pack a third for the trip home!

This #SundaySupper is all about Dad and the foods we think of when it comes to Father's Day.  Our Sunday Supper Movement group has become an extended family, sharing birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, successes and struggles, and I wholeheartedly agree with Isabel when she says how honoured she is to celebrate with all the special Dad’s, Grandfathers, Uncles and families that have been brought together by this event. Check out the special recipes below, then get out and spend some time with your favourite guy! Just be sure to pop back in time for our weekly #SundaySupper chat at 7PM EST!

Dad’s Favorite Main Dishes:

• Father’s Day Ribs by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Chorizo Burgers by La Cocina de Leslie
• Whiskey Sliders by Cravings of a Lunatic
• Beer Can Chicken by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Pesto Shrimp Roll Sandwich by Growing Up Gabel
• Cast Iron Filet Mignon with Wine Sauce by I Run For Wine
• Grilled Tilapia with Blueberry Mango Salsa by Runner’s Tales
• Chicken Wings for Dad by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Fish with Black Bean Sauce by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Spaghetti with Homemade Meatballs by Curious Cuisiniere
• Tamale Pie Ring by Treats & Trinkets
• Grill-Roasted Chicken & Vegetables by Foxes Loves Lemons
• Grandma Papina’s Lamb Stew by Webicurean
• Barbecue Beans and Ribs by Food Lust People Love
• Skillet Meat Lasagna by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Panko Crusted Snapper by Supper for a Steal
• Gluten Free Bourbon Honey Grilled Pork Chops by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Boiled Shrimp for Father’s Day by The Catholic Foodie
• Dad’s Famous Baby Back Ribs by Family Foodie
• Turkey Stuffed Peppers by Ruffles & Truffles
• Lightened Up Fish Biriyani With Fresh Dill by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheddar Pierogi by Healthy.Delicious

Dad’s Favorite Appetizers and Sides:

• Spicy Caramelized Bacon Wrapped Smoked Oysters by Noshing with the Nolands
• Tuna Pasta Salad - Dad’s Recipe by Juanita’s Cocina
• Grilled Bok Choy by Shockingly Delicious
• Bacon-Cheddar Potato Salad by Home Cooking Memories
• Couscous Tabbouleh by Soni’s Food

Dad’s Favorite Desserts

• Dad’s Cheesecake by Table for 7
• Cheese Crackers by The Urban Mrs
• Coconut Cream Pie by Cookin’ Mimi
• Chewy Oat Cookies with a Banana Bread Influence by What Smells So Good?
• Homemade Nutter Butters by Pies and Plots
• Shoot for the Stars Chocolate Cupcakes by Ninja Baking
• Golden Coconut Bars by Magnolia Days
• Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by NeighborFood
• Velvet Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Pecan Pie by Small Wallet Big Appetite

Join our Twitter #SundaySupper chat tonight at 7:00 pm EST by following the #SundaySupper hashtag throughout the day and using it yourself to share your own tips and recipes. Also be sure to check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for even more delicious recipes and photos!

Chewy Oat Cookies with a Banana Bread Influence
Makes 18
2 oz non hydrogenated shortening
1 oz butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp honey
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup whole wheat flour
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Pinch nutmeg
½ tsp fresh grated ginger
2 cups oats
¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts
½ cup dehydrated bananas
½ cup chocolate covered cacao nibs

1. Beat shortening, butter, brown sugar, honey, egg yolk, almond milk and vanilla until well blended.
2. Beat in the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and ginger
3. Stir in oats, walnuts, bananas and chocolate covered cacao nibs.
4. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour, or up to overnight.
5. Preheat the oven to 375ºF and line baking sheets with parchment.
6. Bake cookies 12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet. 

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 162.7
Total Fat: 9.0 g
Cholesterol: 13.7 mg
Sodium: 53.6 mg
Total Carbs: 20.9 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.8 g
Protein: 2.5 g