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?

Your husband is obviously a terrible cook. There is nothing wrong with boiling anything, you just need to not over boil it. The French poach chicken for certain classic dishes and I agree that it's not terribly exciting. I don't actually know any Brits that poach chicken ever, let alone regularly. We are a nation of roasters, mainly. No-one does a good roast like us. Absolutely no-one.

You say you are 'European.' Brits are also European. Europeans are many and varied and they don't all cook the same way. Polish people don't cook like the Spanish. Italians don't cook like Danes. Let's know where you are from and we can critique your national cuisine. I actually hope it's French because I can talk about the awfulness of most French food for hours. The only people who think eating in France is bloody marvellous are the Americans and Canadians, but that's because their own food is generally pretty dire so they are easily impressed.

I didn't realise your in-laws were the rule makers for cooking methods for the whole of Britain.

I apologise for doing it wrong this whole time.

I do sometimes boil potatoes though, if that helps.

I don't think the OP is coming back but I am intrigued as to where she is from where the cuisine is so amazing and they never boil food.

Not really fond of veg roasted or buttered. I like lightly boiled veg, in particular carrots, broccoli, and sprouts. I find they taste clean and fresh. Cabbage needs a bit of butter and pepper.

We don’t.

Thanks for the reminder. I must put the carrots on to boil next week so they’re ready for Christmas.

🤔

I grew up with boiled veg and then we discovered that boiling and throwing away the cooking water was also throwing away all the water soluble vitamins! That seemed crazy so we began steaming most veg. Only roast veg on special occasions. Apart from steaming, also like to stir fry.

I love French food! I agree with the rest of what you said though.

Why do Greek people not pay their taxes?
Why are Italians such bad drivers?
Why do the Swiss all do that yodelling thing?

etc etc

Green veg sauteed in butter is the best way to cook it though.
@Lotc , A waste of green veg and butter. I love both but don't want greasy veg.
The only veg dish that is enhanced by butter is a chip butty.

Have you ever had Ayrshire new potatoes? Probably not, despite being such a gastronome.

I have seen the error of my ways and shall be frying peas from now on.

I'm sick to death of the "Why do Brits...?" stupid, generalised questions, especially from Americans.

WE DON'T ALL DO THE SAME THINGS.

My mother had one of those stacking steamers. She would load all the vegetables into all the different layers, always with cauliflower at the top. I remember going round for Sunday lunch once and she came through to let us know that she was just waiting for the cauliflower, so probably 40 minutes she said. Everything tasted of cauliflower and needless to say no teeth were required for the consumption.

@Lotc Mostly, I just want to taste the actual vegetables, not the garlic, chilli, olive oil and other stuff that you feel ‘enhances’ them. However, thankfully we are all different, and can eat food the way we like it.

A poster was absolutely correct about the need to parboil cauliflower for a cauliflower cheese. The cauliflower must be tender in that dish.

This is the way

Hopefully the Scottish way.

Deep fried in batter.

'Brits', Britons to be correct, do not 'boil everything', it may be a reflection on your circle of friends.

You and I are far too intelligent!

Well thats a matter of opnion .

The sprouts will have been boiling since 1st January I hope!

I actually don't know how to cook veg any other way besides boiling or steaming.
I've tried to follow online recipes and just can't seem to get it. Everything ends up burnt and crunchy on the outside and solid on the inside!

If anyone is willing to share a way to cook it I'll give it a crack!
I'd especially love to know how to do honey roast carrots and honey roast parsnips. Right now I use aunt bessies honey roast parsnips and they cost a fortune! I can't seem to get the inside of the parsnips soft if I do my own, and I have no idea how to make them honey roast.

Also she states she is European. Not a very bright one as we are too.

I’m British and the only thing I boil are frozen peas.

Don't be silly, they should be threaded onto a skewer and chargrilled.