Advice needed on roasting vegetables please

[kate1516]

Hi, I am doing a roast leg of lamb today. My plan is that that will cook for 4 hours on 170oC after a quick hot blast to get it started. I just put it in the oven. I was going to add potatoes, parsnips and carrots and wanted to cook in the same roast pan to get the flavourings. Thing is I never do roasts but am trying to do this one as a treat for my husband who has been amazing lately when I have had a few issues. I really really don't want to cock it up!

When do I add the vegetables? Do they need part cooking? How big should the pieces be? My husband is not really a fan of crunchy veg so want to make sure they are properly cooked through for him.

Any tips will be really appreciated! Thanks x

Firstly hate to sound doubting but four hours is a long time unless it's a massive leg? Just double check your weight/cooking time calculations to avoid overcooking . Re veg, I always boil spuds and parsnips for say 5 mins for spuds, maybe 3-4 for parsnips. I don't roast my carrots usually but if I did would probably boil for 4 mins first. Spuds will take 1.5 hours roughly to roast, parsnips 1 hour and I would guess carrots same or slightly less than parsnips. Sounds yummy and you've made me feel hungry now! Good luck!

Dunno,my DB does a lamb for 7 hours, very low and covered with foil. It's amazing apparently (I'm vege!)

As for veg, par boil for 10 mins first then fluff them in the colander when you drain them

Check the timing on the lamb, that sounds like a long time. I normally do mine for 2 hrs on 180C and it's normally quite a large joint, although we all like our meat slightly pink.

I'd parboil the potatoes for maybe 10 mins and then put in with the lamb for the last 45 mins, chuck the carrots and parsnips in at the same time too. I wouldn't parboil those but remember to core the woody bit out of the parsnips and cut carrots into finger sized batons (so in half lengthwise and then in half again).

Thanks. Am slightly worried now about my cooking times! Got it from a recipe but maybe will just check I have the temperature right.