When is a family roast ‘A Family Roast’? When you sit at the table as a family to enjoy it. Recently one of my Townsville families came to visit up The Atherton Tablelands — 2000 feet above sea level and 5-10C cooler compared to Townsville. I pondered on the first evening meal together. I wanted something that ticked all the boxes in nutrition, health, wholesomeness and easy to prepare.

Immediately, the good ole reliable , never-fail, family roast sprung to mind. Springing into action, I washed, scrubbed and cut up the veggies. I slit the blade roast with garlic cloves.  In about 1/2hr the prepping was done. I popped all three trays full of veggies and roast (in oven bag) into the preset oven and waited for it to do the rest.

Except when I was making sure all should work, it didn’t start by itself.

Big Hint: Remember the digital/24hour time on the timer works in 24 hours. My roast would not have started until 3:30am. Otherwise, starting it manually will definitely work.

Ingredients

• 2kg blade roast (serves 8)
• 8 med white potatoes
• 8 pieces pumpkin
• 4 zucchini
• 4 onions
• garlic cloves
• rosemary
• salt
• Oven Bag (keeps tray clean and use juices for gravy)

Method – Vegetables

1. Set oven 170C. Preset oven to start at 3:30pm (15:30) end at 6:00pm (18:00)
2. Wash, scrub and drain vegetables.
3. Cut potatoes in half and microwave high 10mins.
4. Peel vegetables (if needed, otherwise scrub clean)
5. Garnish vegetables with oil, salt and rosemary.
6. Place vegetables in oiled trays or glad bake paper on trays.
7. *Careful to slowly open hot oven, as the steam can burn — keep face clear.

Method – Meat

1. Defrost roast. Do not cook part-frozen
2. Insert garlic in slits on top of roast.
3. Garnish with oil, rosemary and salt.
4. Place in Oven Bag (catches juices for gravy).
5. Cook altogether for about 2.5hrs at 170C.

Homemade Gravy

1. Pour juices from Oven Bag into saucepan.
2. Blend 2 tablespoons plain flour in 1/4 cup tap water until smooth.
3. Add to warming juices, the floury water and boil in saucepan.
4. Stir for a few minutes. When thickened, it’s ready to serve.