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?

You steam your veg for thirty years! Apart from sprouts which need that long, most are fine after 20.

Please tell us which country you're from so we can give its culinary delights a good boiling roasting

I think it’s a generational thing, which has already changed. Mil had a tendency to (over) boil all veg, and for the longest time Fil said he hated most veg (cauliflower, carrots, broccoli in particular). Weirdly he would happily eat veg at our house - roast or griddled, coleslaws, salads etc. Tbf to Mil she does try other techniques now.

Also boiled new potatoes, and in particular jerseys / anyas, are elite. There is no better way to cook them and I will absolutely go to war on that.

Oil has a lot of unnecessary calories, boiling or steaming veg is healthier as you aren't adding anything. And yes to parboiling, so much quicker and makes sure the potatoes and veg etc are soft and not hard

You are incredibly judgemental to the point of rudeness with your generalisation and condescening responses.
You cook your way and let others do their own thing.
New potatoes have to be boiled. No debate!

What are your feelings on mash?

I’m from France and boiled new potatoes are extremely common. I’m not sure where you’re from but boiled potatoes are also popular in Germany, and Eastern Europe.

I think this is an issue with your husband rather than a whole nation in general. I’ve never been served soggy, overcooked vegetables over here. I have been served them in Italy though!!

Red pesto and veg is nice. Quick veggie meal in our house, pasta, vegetable ribbons of carrot and courgette and a few sprigs of broccoli on top with red pesto. It's a different ballgame to the green stuff.

I love boiled new pots with butter, salt and mint. But you don’t have to cook or eat them like that if you don’t like them. (I also like roast potatoes, mashed potatoes and baked potatoes. Love spuds in any format.) Boiled peas are also fine- very quick and tasty.

My question is: why do ‘Europeans’ think that everyone should like the same things?

Is that a generalisation? Soz.

Neither is "easier", both are - put in receptacle, add heat. One requires water, the other requires oil. Both you can get on with other stuff until they are done. Boiling is quicker.

I don't generally add butter. So boiling is definitely easier, more healthy, quicker and cheaper.

They don't, your family does. I've never tried poached chicken, sounds vile, I rarely cook vegetables that way, only peas.

That's strange.

Boiled potatoes are a staple all over the world.

Where are you from OP?

How would you cook new potatoes if you were making potato salad? I can't imagine roasting them rather than boiling.

I remember years ago a poster came here to do the usual Brit bashing and they were banging on about how fat we all are.

Then she slipped up with her name change and it turned out she was Maltese! 😬🤣

..and more expensive and less healthy.

I don’t think I’ve ever boiled chicken in my entire life, boiled vegetables are fine if they’re not over cooked. I don’t like to eat everything covered in spices and fried in oil, I want to taste the vegetables.

I love petit pois. How would you cook them? @Lotc

Why not? Boiled peas taste of peas. Which is a nice taste. I love roasted veg too but I'm also able to appreciate the taste of the actual vegetables unadorned and enjoy them. I like a massive range of flavours and spices and that includes sometimes the taste of the actual food without additions.

I steam, roast, bake, sautee, stir-fry, slow-cook, grill, braise, stew and occasionally par-boil.
I'm a Brit.
Do your research.

Everything other than potatoes and Brussels sprouts*, gets either steamed or roasted in this house.

*I know you can roast them, but I don't like the bitter, charred taste of roasted sprouts.

... because immigrants stole their microwave? 🙄

Of course roasting or sauteing everything adds oil to everything, which can make everything taste of the oil and adds loads of calories. I remember in Italy thinking everything was covered in oil and you couldn't taste the food, a long time ago and also a huge generalisation but that was my impression at the time.

Me too.

I actually like the taste of vegetables. As in just the vegetables themselves. I don’t need oil or butter or garlic or herbs. But I admit that these additions are lovely too.

Of course.

She's Yurpeen, so only eats organic home grown vegetables sauteed in olive oil freshly pressed from the trees that have been growing in her family orchards for centuries.

A tiny bit of olive oil and seasoning is not unhealthy. Olive oil is a good fat. Better than a knob of butter imo