Why do Brits boil everything ?

[Lotc]

I’m European but not British. I have to say the way you guys cook (vegetables in particular) ie boiling everything) really isn’t for me. It just makes everything so bland even if you add butter and salt after. Carrots especially. Why not roast or lightly sautee in a pan with some olive oil? My husband boils everything. I’ve never seen anything like it. Why boil carrots? Same as ILs. The first time I met ILs we had poached chicken. It’s so weird to me. Is it a health thing?

But not necessarily healthier?

How do you make potato salad?

That sounds like such a faff. Who's got time for that after work?

Why are you judging every British person by what your husband does OP.

I never boil vegetables: I roast or stir fry them, or I make them into ratatouille.

And it's not a generational thing, I'm 77.

I boil vegetables but have rarely poached chicken. I either roast it or grill it and so does everyone else I know!

In your opinion. Personally, I think steamed veg is nicer.

Spices and herbs in cauliflower cheese? That sounds awful! Why would you mess with the cheesy sauce that way?

Not if the OP is French, then it’s a fact 😂

OP, I don't why you've got such a thing against boiling. It's a perfectly good way of cooking things as long as you don't over-boil. Your way of doing things, using lots of butter, sounds delicious but not the healthiest. Boiling is a very healthy method, assuming you don't add salt to the cooking water. Boiling is also the quickest, if you're cooking after work,

There really is nothing wrong with boiling veg and potato. Maybe it's just that your in-laws and husband overdo it?

I don’t like carrots at the best of times but roasted carrots are an abomination. I really hate roasted vegetables! I’d rather something lightly steamed or boiled to take the rawness off. All the freshness is retained. They’re crisp but not crunchy, no need for salt or butter.

Yum!

I love Germany, and am properly Germanophilic, however - I cannot cope with mayonnaise on chips.

Because thats what people often do? Its tastes good.
Roasted potatoes are good too, but I cant eat many of them, they are more of a treat then food to fill me up.
Its ok you preferr roasted to boiled but I dont get why you asked your friend about it as if boing baby potatoes was unusual?

MUSTARDY! Blimey, why is everyone fiddling about with their cauliflower cheese so much? It should taste of...cheese. Which is quite a strong taste.

It’s just your DH.

I’m non British and never heard of roasted carrots, parsnip and potatoes before coming to UK. My non UK family over boil everything.

I couldnt cope with schitzel and spaghetti. Both dry as a bone.

Too true, as much as I love schnitzel 😋

Hmmm……..I’m British and I’ve never always boiled all vegetables so I guess you’ve simply been associating with a small network of individuals who do!
However, when me and the OH got together I discovered that he would put cabbage into cold water, bring to the boil, and cook for 20 minutes ( because that how long the spuds too )…….apparently, that was how his ex cooked cabbage 🤷‍♀️🤣. He knows better now!

I love boiled carrots! 🥕

What a silly generalisation, OP! Honestly!

We 'Brits' don't 'boil everything'.

But as pps have said, some people would not have had (or still don't have) access to an oven. They may only have a stove top or a couple of rings to cook on. I had this situation when I got my first tiny flat.

Is turning on the oven to roast all veg more expensive than using a ring to boil them? I don't know - but I'd imagine so. That's a consideration for some people.

I'm careful about turning on the oven for cost reasons (and so as not to waste energy roasting 5 carrots in terms of contributing to climate change etc). But my daughter happily turns it on high a few times a day to do just that! I love roast veg but I would only do it if there were several people eating and not just for myself, esp if the main dish didn't need the oven.

My name is PermanentTemporary, I’m British and I boil vegetables.

Mostly in fact I steam them these days but I do boil things. If I’m cooking good quality fresh vegetables, particularly from the garden, then I don’t necessarily want to taste lots of oil or butter or even salt tbh, I want to taste the vegetables. Lightly boiling or steaming them makes delicious veg and I challenge anyone not to enjoy what I serve.

I am capable of cooking in other ways and I often do that too. The other day I did baked salmon fillets with herbs and lemon, steamed new potatoes, very lightly boiled peas, shredded steamed sweetheart cabbage, cherry tomatoes on the vine griddled and then baked, and then carrots roasted with oil and cumin seeds. Followed by rhubarb crumble and cream. If you’d refused all that then that’s your prerogative but I’d think you had a limited view of life.

It sounds like you DH is not very good at cooking. I boil rice, pasta and noodles none of these are British food…

Everything doesn’t. But roast potatoes absolutely do need parboiling. Apart from anything, it means you can prep them the night before (essential during the Christmas lunch prep).

You’re wildly generalising based on one family.

Very few? I'm not old, and to me boiling potato and veg is totally normal and the mainstream way of doing things. I'm talking about cooking ordinary dinners after getting home from work. I can see roasting and sauteing veg more at the weekend.

@Lotc What's your view on Marmite? And also milk in tea?

I never parboiled my cauliflower and it turns out beautifully soft in a rich cheese sauce.

Par boiling just adds water