35mm film

Welcome to another week with The Grove Cook-off, where we bring you Roast Beef, Baby Yorkies, Little Carrots, Crispy Potatoes and Super-Quick Gravy! This week was probably quite a bit more interesting than those we have had recently. It played out like any great hollywood film - the calm beginning, the introduction of turmoil, the apparent disaster and just when you think it might all be going to rack and ruin, the day is saved (or in this case, the beef). Props go to Dear Housemate this week for her fantastic solo efforts - Head Chef was called away and turned up at the last minute before sitting down to eat, so DH carried this one on her own!

When I arrived home, I definitely had some concerns. For starters, although it is officially spring we are still getting some really chilly weather, particularly at night. So to come home to find the front door wide open, I assumed either DH had lost her mind or we had been robbed. Upon reaching the front door and finding a stray chair, standing alone in the entryway, my suspicions began to grow. If not for the sound of a Glee soundtrack blaring out of the stereo and the increasing smell of smoke (thus the door being open) coming from the general direction of the kitchen, I might have actually believed that DH had been the victim of a home invasion. The kitchen looked a little chaotic, but DH was doing her best to stand her ground, with the aid of a wine goblet and some helpful guests.

After what I understand to be the second (third?) attempt to disable the smoke alarm (thus the chair in the entryway), things were definitely getting back under control. The beef admittedly did look a little worse for wear, but everything else seemed to be travelling along nicely. So dealing with the beef became the primary concern. The images in the cookbook do make it look as though one large, delicious chunk of beef has been cooked through just by sitting in a frying pan, but after trying this for ourselves we realised it is easiest to take said delicious beef chunk and cut it in two - much better chance for it to cook all the way through! After halving the beef everything pretty much got back on track, and aside from a slightly crispy outer it was absolutely delicious. The gravy was awesome too!

The yorkies were so yummy. I have never tried them before so really didn't know what to expect, but they ended up being little yummy things that were a cross between pancakes and bread rolls. They were perfect for sopping up bits of gravy too! Without knowing what a yorkshire pudding is really supposed to be like, it is a little difficult to comment further. But that being said, if they were an accurate representation of the real things, I'm keen to eat some more!

The veg came up really yummy - the carrots take on a lot of lovely flavour while they are boiling away on the stove. I think they would be a really easy, yummy side dish for any dinner party. If you're ever stumped for side dish ideas, I recommend the 30 Minute Meals cookbook - there are heaps of great ideas! The potatoes didn't come up quite as crispy as planned, but they tasted awesome anyway (who doesn't love a bit of potato with their roast meat!?).

And that is pretty much how this week went! A bit of calm, a bit of stress, a fabulous meal and some really wonderful company (followed by what I understand to be some really wonderful wine and a football game!). This meal was great and fed six people comfortably, so if you're thinking you want a bit of a twist on your average roast dinner this might just be the one for you. And next week....oh next week is going to be fabulous. We're going to be making Steak Sarnie, Crispy New Potatoes, Cheesy Mushrooms and Beetroot Salad (basically four of my favourite star ingredients all appearing on the same plate - awesome!!).

Til next time - Bon Appetit!