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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not cook a traditional roast on Sunday?

106 replies

Lolo37 · 17/03/2017 05:40

We have friends coming for lunch on Sunday and I don't feel like spending all morning preparing a roast. Do you think they would expect a roast or is something else ok? Haven't thought of other options yet but relatively effort free would be good! What do you all think?

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 17/03/2017 06:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrDacresEUSubsidy · 17/03/2017 06:54

Cook what you want - you're hosting!

Roasts are easy but a faff, especially timing it so that everything is ready at the same time. If I had guests over I'd want to spend time with them, rather than being in and out of the kitchen constantly checking stuff, so in your shoes I'd probably do a lasagne with a big salad and garlic bread, or a casserole with jacket potatoes. Both are things that can be prepped ahead and then shoved in the oven with minimal rushing back and forth.

ilovelamp82 · 17/03/2017 06:57

If I was invited for Sunday lunch I think I would assume it was a roast, but I wouldn't care or be disappointed at all if it was something different.

AliceByTheMoon · 17/03/2017 06:58

I adore roasts. mmm.

But I would not expect it. I'd make spag bol with a salad and garlic bread and I'd buy in a M&S apple crumble with their vanilla madagascan custard.

Job done - deliciously done. :)

Megatherium · 17/03/2017 07:01

Do lamb slow cooked in red wine. Minimal effort and it comes out beautifully tender.

IamFriedSpam · 17/03/2017 07:09

Roast is a bit heavy for me at lunch time - I would only do it at christmas when I'm going to be slumping the rest of the day. You could do a selection of cold things - quiche, crusty bread, butter, a huge salad, meats, cheese etc.

Fishface77 · 17/03/2017 07:10

Do my version of a roast!
Go and buy a couple of ready roasted chickens.
Stick in the oven.
The get aunt Bessie to do the rest.

newventurermum · 17/03/2017 07:11

All morning to prepare a roast?!Confused
It takes me about 45min to get it all ready and inside the oven, then I seat back and relax while the oven does it magic. It's the easiest meal to make, and it's all about preparation.

My tips:
season your meat/chicken the night before and keep it in the fridge ready to go into be oven next morning.

While your oven heats up cut your vegs (5min?) put them in a oven tray, season with some herbs, olive oil and black pepper and throw in the oven too!

Buy ready made/frozen stuffing and Yorkshire puddings. They are as good and very quick to cook. I use uncle Betty's and they are delicious. Yorkshires are ready in 4min in the oven.

If you fancy a red cabbage as well (DH loves so sometimes I make it at not extra time at all), have it all cut the night before too so you just put it in the pan with the stocking+red wine+vinegar glaze+bit of sugar at the same time you put the vegs in the oven and they will all cook together.

Easy-peasy! Wink

NavyandWhite · 17/03/2017 07:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cookingongas · 17/03/2017 07:15

I like a roast. But this is why I don't go anywhere on Sundays. Saturdays are
The best for going out- restaurants do a full menu, friends make varied interesting dishes that they're good at, you can eat at any time - not
Only between 12 and 2.

I would be very disappointed to be invited for lunch on a Sunday - because I'd expect Sunday lunch. I'd be thrilled if you served me something else :)

PlumsGalore · 17/03/2017 07:22

I wouldn't t to a roast just because it's Sunday. A) I am not a fan B) it may not take all day to prepare but there is a hell of a lot of washing up machine work afterwards.

I would do something the day before that could be reheated or prepared the day before where all the washing up could go in one load after! Hosting should also be enjoyed by the hos too.

onalongsabbatical · 17/03/2017 07:30

I've just woken up.
Is it the 1950s? Confused

Justanothergame · 17/03/2017 07:38

I'd cook what I like. The treat is that someone else, not me, is doing the cooking/hosting. But if you do a roast, don't do Aunt Bessie's, they're yuck. I would be disappointed with those. It's like having tinned carrots.

bertsdinner · 17/03/2017 07:39

I like a roast dinner but wouldn't make it just because it's Sunday, I also like other stuff so just cook whatever I feel like.
If I was invited for Sunday lunch I wouldnt expect a roast dinner. Just cook whatever you find easy/convenient.

Oblomov17 · 17/03/2017 08:04

Love a roast. Easy to prepare. Nightmare washing up. But as a guest, I'd be happy to be given anything!

FrenchLavender · 17/03/2017 08:07

I love a Sunday roast but it's not like the law or anything. Confused

Cook what you want but I don't see a roast as any more faff than a lasagne or anything else really. It's a bastard on the washing up though.

Pengweng · 17/03/2017 08:25

I don't expect a roast if I go to someones house.
We all take turns to pick the Sunday lunch so often if it's the kids turn it's often make our own pizzas or burgers etc.

Dahlietta · 17/03/2017 09:13

I also find no pleasure in cooking a roast.

I don't really get the pleasure in eating one either (particularly not one with Auntie Bessie's roast potatoes...)
I wouldn't expect one on a Sunday - cook what you like!

SpikeWithoutASoul · 17/03/2017 09:19

My ils are coming for lunch on Sunday and we are having pulled pork, home made coleslaw and sweet potato chips. I don't feel obliged to provide a roast. Too many tins to wash up!

19lottie82 · 17/03/2017 09:22

I think a roast is really nice to have on a Sunday but you don't have to have one if you don't want.

Saying that they're not hard to make.

Get one of those chicken in the bag things from any supermarket and just thrown it in the oven.

Serve with some frozen roast potatoes (cook them first obviously ha!), a bag of veg you steak in the micro, some Instant gravy and some ready made Yorkshire puddings.

Easy peasy! And you will be able to get everything from Aldi / Lidl for under a tenner...... yum!

19lottie82 · 17/03/2017 09:23

Steak? Steam!

ghostyslovesheets · 17/03/2017 09:27

I love a roast but it's not a faff

I discovered Morrisons chicken crown in gravy - OMG it's lovely and the kids fight over it - 50mins in the oven

aunt bessie + frozen veg - no trouble at all

Destinysdaughter · 17/03/2017 09:28

I'd make a casserole the day before and then just reheat in the oven.

Easy! Smile

LiveLifeWithPassion · 17/03/2017 09:36

Cook what you want. I'm sure your guests will love spending time with you and will appreciate whatever you cook.

(As an aside, how is lasagne less faff than chucking meat and veg in the oven? My kids love lasagne but I hardly ever make it as I find it so much effort.)

EeyoreNeededMedication · 17/03/2017 10:30

I don't know if I've missed the point on this thread.

I'm a keen amateur cook and love a glass of wine, music and the kitchen to myself to prepare a meal. Pre-prep ie. Sat evening before a meal on Sunday or any other aspect.

To cook a roast with mash, roasties, carrots, peas and cabbage takes:

roasting tin for meat
roasting tin for spuds
pan for mash
pan for carrots and peas
pan for cabbage
4 serving bowls.

None of that is much hassle. Everything can be prepared the night before. Mash made. Roasties peeled and boiled. Veg chopped. Chicken prepared. All in the fridge.

On Sunday:

Mash warmed in microwave.
Veg boiled.
Chicken roasted.
Spuds roasted.
Gravy made.

Serve.

A lasagne takes hours. Even with shop-bought pasta.