Sunday roast for someone special

[Nilbog]

I’m cooking dinner for my new bf tomorrow and as it’ll just be the two of us, I want to make it special.

I’ve got some veggies already (purple kale, carrots, cauli, purple sprouting broccoli, carrots, green beans - not all for tomorrow!), I’d love some tips on how to make them tastier or more exciting that my usual method of steaming them and adding butter and salt.

Also, what meat do you think would be delicious and a treat for us?

I roast cauli and carrots...kale I fry in a v hot pan with some garlic...same with green beans. When you roast cauli, it doesn't take long. Put olive oil and whatever herbs you like...I just use salt, pepper and maybe garlic...I smash the garlic up into rough chunks so it roasts too. If you slice the cauli, quite thin, you can also fry it if you prefer. Keep it moving and use olive oil.

Re meat...lamb or chicken!

Roast green beans with parmesan are delicious, drizzle with oil and roast them for about 15 minutes at 200c, then scatter with grated parmesan and return to the oven for five minutes 😋

Sounds divine I’m sure the meal will be just a sideshow

@LadyMonicaBaddingham

Roast green beans with parmesan are delicious, drizzle with oil and roast them for about 15 minutes at 200c, then scatter with grated parmesan and return to the oven for five minutes 😋

Oo never thought of that. I'm doing that tomorrow now, I've got parmesan!

Hasselback potatoes realfood.tesco.com/recipes/hasselback-potatoes.html, and glazed carrots
For the meat, I’d do beef Wellington with red wine gravy or slow roast pork with crackling.

Thanks @FortunesFave I love cauliflower and I’m always interested in new ways to flavour and cook it.

Do you add anything to your carrots before you roast them?

@LadyMonicaBaddingham I love the sound of green beans cooked like that. Do you blanch them before roasting them?

Thanks for the link @Ricekrispie22. I do love a hasselback spud.

I’ve gone for beef so I’ll definitely add red wine gravy.

I suppose I should cook some Yorkshire puddings too.

Thanks @Destin8, I’m not sure if you meant the meat will be a sideshow.

It’s a hot date so the meal will definitely be a sideshow to the main event

Can I come? I promise I'll wash up afterwards whilst you get to know your hot date better and I won't slam the door shut behind me...! 😂

Two’s company @OldTinHat!!

Very true OP! Have a lovely time!

Thank you @OldTinHat

No advice re veg but I can thoroughly recommend the Gordon Ramsey recipe for Yorkshire puddings, massive and perfect every time!

Thanks @MrsWhites, I’ll check out the recipe.

Roast beef calls out for cauliflower cheese, a match made in heaven.

Yorkshire puddings are an essential with beef, for a special touch, serve them as a first course with onion gravy.

Serve horseradish sauce as an accompaniment for beef, add red wine or port and some mustard to gravy, bought or homemade.

Grate carrots on your largest style of grater, pile into a pyrex jug add a sprinkle of water, a knob of butter, and a teaspoon of whole grain mustard, stir, then blast for a minute in the microwave. Test, and if needed give another 30 seconds. A quick and colourful vegetable dish.

Pre cook broccoli till almost done. Just before serving, quickly stir fry in sesame oil with some sesame seeds sprinkled over, or stir fry in olive oil with some very finely chopped anchovies & garlic.

I have a tendency tango over the top @AdaColeman so I was hesitating about cauli cheese but I have a great recipe that isn’t too tricky so I can easily whip it up.

I’m definitely making Yorkshire puds but I’m feeling full just thinking about them!!

Horseradish sauce - check
Red wine gravy - check

Love the sound of the grated carrot dish, thank you.

I’m wondering about the ingredients for the broccoli dish and whether they’ll complement the rest of the meal so I might try that on a different occasion.

I roast carrots in a little bit of honey, salt, garlic oil and orange juice. Some thyme too if you have it.

Also roast turnips in with the roast potatoes, again with plenty of hood salt and thyme

Would you consider doing a big Yorke to serve the dinner in? Can be so good when done right...

Also crispy kale,fry off with salt and oil and roast with plenty of soy sauce,so nice,could eat a bag that way lol.

I love honeyed carrots with thyme @pastabest, they’re going on the list too. Thank you.

I love the idea of a giant yorkie pud @Newchances but then I’ll eat it and I might feel too full for sex!!

@LadyMonicaBaddingham

Roast green beans with parmesan are delicious, drizzle with oil and roast them for about 15 minutes at 200c, then scatter with grated parmesan and return to the oven for five minutes 😋

I never liked green beans until I tried roasting them. Improves the flavour and texture so much! I'll try parmesan next time.

I roast carrots in cinnamon, brown sugar and butter....they are delicious that way.
What about making a fresh condiment like horseradish or mint sauce if you have the supplies?

Steady on @Mama1980! I don’t like him that much