Sunday dinner for two: any practical tips?

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Perfect_818@reddit

Yorkshire pudding recipe for 2 4tbs flour 1egg 4tbs milk 4tbs water Punch of salt Mix and put into got oil. Perfection.

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Decent-Total-2519@reddit

Thanks for that recipe. Does that make 2 YPs? Would you mind sharing how much oil to put in each tin, what kind to use, and what temperature to bake it at?

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Reasonable-While1212@reddit

Gammon? You mad buh? Just go to a pub with a carvery. Take her for Sundee lunch. Have a feed. I reckon a big rump of meat be wasted. Less you know how to cook for the rest of the week.

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ultimatemomfriend@reddit

Go to a supermarket with a meat counter (Morrisons tend to have them) and just get the amount of meat that you want, rather than getting something pre-portioned in the chilled aisle.

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If you use chicken you can just grab a pack of chicken breasts from asda or tescos or wherever and only use two (oven bake, season first then place in a glass dish covered in foil in the oven for about 180 degrees, 40ish minutes depending on size, turn halfway through and check it's not pink in the middle). You can freeze the rest of the uncooked chicken and thaw and use as and when needed.

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GodOfThunder888@reddit (OP)

Yes chicken and fish dishes seem easiest for me, since this is the sort ingredients I use all week. I know none will be wasted. Beef, pork and lamb would be trickier but I'd like to switch it around weekly if I can

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throw4455away@reddit

Personally (although other people might disagree!) I don’t think you need to roast a big chunk of meat for it to be a roast dinner (maybe then call it Sunday dinner lol). So have pork or lamb chops or cheap beef steak seared then slow cooked in gravy. For me it’s more the overall meal than the specific method of cooking the meat. So have all the trimmings and then mint sauce with lamb, horseradish with beef and apple sauce with pork and that’s a very British Sunday dinner

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GodOfThunder888@reddit (OP)

Yes I agree too. The issue is more that apart from chicken and fish, the meats used for dinner seem to mostly be sold in big chunks? When I go to the "sunday dinner" aisle in Aldi or Asda, I mostly find big chunks of meat that could easily be used for 2-3 meals. I was wondering if it's still nice if I freeze it after cooking

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throw4455away@reddit

Freezing cooked meat can work well, though don’t leave it too long or it will get freezer burn. But what I mean is instead of looking for a roast joint of lamb/pork instead buy lamb/pork chops from the general meat section (rather than specifically the Sunday dinner section). Pan fry the chops and serve with the rest of the dinner. You could do the same with beef steaks

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imaterriblemother@reddit

Buy a slow cooker. They're inexpensive and make cheaper cuts of meat taste amazing. You can chuck your meat, veg and gravy in there and then boil and mash some potatoes with a little milk and butter to have on the side.

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Accurate_Cup_1532@reddit

We are 2 as well. We buy an extra small chicken from Sainsbury and it lasts for Sunday and Monday. We then mash 1 baking potatoe and also do carrots or some other veg. My partner does the chicken but the way he spices it is: olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and tabasco. Then he cooks it in the oven on 100 fan setting for 45 min then cranks it up to 180, checking it periodically as well as spooning the juices all over the chicken every 15 minutes. For Monday, we make a fresh salad and add the chicken or do chicken wraps.

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bunty66@reddit

We make a normal sized roast ( huge obviously) and then make up dinners for the freezer. This means we can have roasts for at least the next two Sundays without cooking another one. Sometimes there’s veg left over and I used that with some chicken in a pie to eat during the week . You can buy pastry for that if you like. I use concentrated mushroom soup for the pie mix. It’s a good comfort meal !

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GodOfThunder888@reddit (OP)

Ooh so you just freeze the leftover cooked meat for the next dinner. That's one of the options I was exploring. Good go know!

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bunty66@reddit

No, I actually make the whole meal into a container and reheat like a ready meal. It isn’t quite the same as fresh but the dinner is still pretty good. You can buy foil take away type containers and reheat them in the oven. I do get the meals out of the freezer and defrost in the fridge the day before .

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barriedalenick@reddit

Small bits of meat are harder to roast as they tend to cook quickly and can dry out. Start with a chicken - nothing better than a roasted free range chicken - and you can freeze the left overs or make a decent curry for mid week. No need to eat it all week! Some smaller bits of beef or lamb can be pan seared and then quickly finished in the oven which while not specifically traditional is a great way to cook regardless. Plenty of info out there on how to roast meat British style but plenty of seasoning and hitting the right temps/timings are the key - get a meat thermometer if you are unsure when it is done.

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TuxedoKittyBert@reddit

If it's for two try and get a chicken crown. Easy to roast, less mess and less waste.

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DougiefreshYB@reddit

We get a roast in the bag chicken, you follow the instructions on the bag to cook it. Then the left overs we use to make a chicken hot pot the next day.

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LittleSadRufus@reddit

Same but the leftovers go in a curry and a basic chicken fried rice (using up the leftover rice from curry night) later in the week.

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imminentmailing463@reddit

Yeah roast chicken is the one. We roast an extra large chicken most Sundays and then use the leftovers for meals throughout the week. It's such a cost effective thing to do.

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codechris@reddit

Remember you don't need to stick to traditional british flavours. We had lamb tonight but greek style with lemon etc. We've also done cuban pork etc. So take the idea of a roast and change bits to suit you, and the time of year.

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FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

If you don't have a digital meat thermometer, get one. I use this one from Amazon: [https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002L0DYC8/](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002L0DYC8/) Then follow the meat roasting guide here: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/roast-calculator](https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/roast-calculator) Use the thermometer to check the temperature of the meat to work out if it is cooked to your liking. Remember meat continues to cook after it is removed from heat, so take it out of the oven when it is slightly undercooked compared to how you want it (1-2 degrees centigrade lower). You can get a fairly small beef or pork roast if you want, and you can keep any you don't eat immediately in the fridge for several days.

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Consult-SR88@reddit

I often buy a beef brisket joint & cook it in the slow cooker. I put onions and some salt & pepper & half fill with water. Then freeze the left overs in slices with/in a bit of the stock. Stops it drying out & there’s some meat stock to add to a gravy if I decide to eat it as a pot roast again.

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Neenwil@reddit

We do a roast most weekends and eat the rest during the week, not just as leftovers though but make different meals out of it. So slow cooked beef brisket or pulled pork for Sunday which can then be seasoned up and used in tacos in the week, for example. Or a roast chicken which we use for sandwiches/salads then a curry with what's left. We often roast a gammon joint which then does us for sandwiches/salads for lunch and also a creamy pasta dish. Just don't buy an absolutely huge joint of something, you can often get ones under 1kg which do us fine with leftovers for other meals. It's handy to have pre cooked meat ready to chuck in quick meals during the week.

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gardeningmedic@reddit

So only I eat meat in my partnership. I’ll either use the leftovers to make a stew or curry (and hopefully freeze a few portions for when I have long shifts) or if it’s a beef joint I will freeze it so I’ve got a future roast.

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SirArthurD@reddit

Just buy a full pork/chicken/ whatever and keep the leftovers. Buy a bag of potatoes for toasties and use them for other stuff throughout the week, mash/chips etc. Parsnips/carrots. Make your own Yorkshire with flour, egg and milk. Easy

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StrawberryOver513@reddit

M&s do a decent chicken leg portion 2 in the pack for around £1.50 they look decent sizes they would be OK to be roasted if you and your partner don't eat too much. Personally me and my other half are greedy and could easily eat a whole medium chicken or a joint of lamb or beef (small joint were not rich) but I'm definitely going to try the chicken portions from m&s

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PopHead_1814@reddit

Do a plant based option, nut roast or something. Much better for you and you can use any leftovers to make work lunches etc.

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Colonel_Cat_Tumnus@reddit

Excess beef can be sliced and frozen in gravy, excess veg can be mashed up and fried as bubble and squeak the next day.

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Harry_Paget_Flashman@reddit

If you want to avoid purchasing a large joint of meat, pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in smoky bacon and roasted) make a great alternative meat for a roast dinner, I do this quite a lot for a quick and easy roast. You don't get the juices from the chicken/beef or whatever to make proper gravy though.

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No-Advertising1002@reddit

Pork tenderloin Turkey crown Pork chops Roast chicken breast Toad in the Hole Small gammon joint Frozen roasties and even frozen Yorkshire puddings are very acceptable these days. A nice melody tray of veg from the ready section of a supermarket is good.

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Iwantedalbino@reddit

Most of the ideas are the same here: Cook a smaller bit of meat - belly pork rather than a whole joint Male and repurpose - Coca Cola ham makes cracking sandwiches or you could make stovies with leftover roast beef or lamb. We just make sure we put a bit of effort into Sunday so it’s a step up from through the week - doesn’t always have to be a roast - slow cooker gumbo or an actual lasagne rather than spaghetti bolognaise

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CaroSCP@reddit

Work out what you'll do with the leftovers & go from there. Meat can be frozen once it has been cooked, veggies - if the worst comes to the worst, liquidise it into a soup or a base for things like curry or stew?

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Curvi-distraction@reddit

If we get a chicken, once it’s cooked and we have had our main meal, I pick the rest of the chicken off and make stock with the carcass that can be frozen (for soup/risotto etc). You just need to break it up, chop a carrot, stick of celery, small onion, 2 or 3 whole peppercorns and a bay leaf. Cover in water, Bring it to the boil and then let it simmer for about an hour. Take out the bones and bay leaf and leave everything else in and freeze. Any left over cold chicken you have from the main meal can be used for a risotto…or add with bacon to some pasta…and there should still be some left for chicken sandwiches

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UnchartedPro@reddit

Maybe get chicken and not even the full chicken but the drumsticks work for roast and maybe the thighs. I wouldn't just roast it (not British either) but first I'd marinate it with spices, lemon etc

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StudioSpeaker@reddit

> Is it acceptable to slice a gammon into 4s and freeze it? Same for the other meats? Have sandwiches the next day. Leftover meat on a sandwich the next day is my favourite bit.

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GodOfThunder888@reddit (OP)

Absolutely get that idea but I'm trying to get more out of my buck. Preferably a second dinner meal. I imagine, I'd have more meat leftover than I use for the actual meal. Which seems silly to me. I don't exactly buy a pricy piece of meat as a luxe sandwich topper which I'll be semi-forced to eat all week 😅

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LoveAGlassOfWine@reddit

You could buy a chicken and use the leftovers as cold meat for sandwiches or summer salads, or make a casserole? I buy pork or lamb chops and have them instead sometimes. I render down the fat on the hob just by turning them onto the fat, slim side and letting them sizzle. Then stick them in the oven for about 20 minutes at about 180°. It depends on the size of the chops. I marinate the lamb chops in olive oil, rosemary and garlic for a couple of hours and cook I the pork with apple but you don't need to. With pork, I cut some of the fat off and blast the heat while the meat rests to make crackling. It makes all the difference if you can get good chops from a butchers or farm shop etc.

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LionLucy@reddit

My husband and I are having steak, chips and salad tonight. Followed by homemade strawberry shortcake.

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YchYFi@reddit

When I cook for us I get a big carrot, a big parsnip and one big potato to make roasts from. We get a small cut of meat and slow cook it.

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mybestie245@reddit

I’m in a family of 5 we use left overs in sandwiches to take to work on Monday. Also when I lived by myself I used to get just a chicken breast and cook it in the Ibsen with the usual veggies and stuff that go with roast dinners

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swoticus@reddit

Veg is easier to portion so I'm hoping you're ok on that front. Chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs or whole legs) work really well for individual portions and are easy to cook well in a roast. Alternatively, toad in the hole is a really good meat options alongside classic roast dinner veg. Go to a good butcher and get some of their home made sausages to really make it great.

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izit--@reddit

If we do a roast, we generally make a stew with the leftovers early in the week. Super tasty and you can just buy a packet mix to make some dumplings to add!

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wild_cayote@reddit

For your meat, can go to the butchers and get exact size you need so you don’t have any leftover, or even just use chicken breast and have one each. If you’re serious about cooking (not just roasts) invest in a meat thermometer, makes life easy Veg can just use frozen veg (broccoli, carrots, peas - brussels are optional) Potato is an easy one - fluff them up before you put them in piping hot oil for some nice crispy roasts Yorkies i would get a recipe (jamie oliver does a good one) - these are easy to master and elevate your roast 10x, same with gravy can always do bisto but I would 100% make your own as it’s not too difficult

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ThirdOfTheStorms84@reddit

The trick when you have a lot of leftover stuff is not so much to have leftovers as such, but to make complete meals out of it. We have stew for beef (easily frozen as well), gammon egg and chips, leftover gammon gets chopped up and used in a chicken and ham pie for instance.

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Haunted_Entity@reddit

Small or extra small chicken A couple of large potatoes (usually 4 in a bag advertised as baking potatoes) A carrot One of those pre packed portions of veg you can microwave ( though i usually steam them) And some frozen peas. Make the gravy out of the meat juices, a little wine, oxo cube/water, couple tbsp flour and my little trick - take the cooked chi ken wings off while the chick is resting and break them up into the gravy (sans bones) for a flavour bomb :) That feeds my wife and i , some chicken for the cats and usually enough for a chicken sandwich for lunch the next day. Other meats you can just portion off and freeze what you dont use immediately. The veg is easy though as you can get individual bits

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stutter-rap@reddit

When I was a student and cooking alone, instead of doing roast pork I used to do pork chops with all the same trimmings - stuffing, roast potatoes, veg, gravy, etc. You can also get some very small roasts - pork or beef joints intended to feed 4 people so there's only one meal of leftovers, or game birds that only feed two (or even one - careful it's not too small).

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Pitiful_Oven_3425@reddit

Pousin is a great alternative to buying a whole chicken, spatchcocked then cut in half is plenty for two people

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BECKYISHERE@reddit

When I used to cook a roast chicken meal i would have the meal on the sunday, and cook a lot because it takes no more time to cook lots with a roast than a small amount. Day two chicken and stuffing in boyfriend's sandwiches for work, dinner of rice and curried meal leftovers. Also mash potato and put it on top of leftovers for a pie for day three, any left after that would be either soup or frozen for a quick meal some other time.

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WhyNotCollegeBroad@reddit

Get the meat you want, follow instructions to cook it. Get some frozen roasties, yorksire puddings and some veg. Get some oxo gravy granules, add hot water. Bobs your uncle, you have a roast.

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