Inspiration: Chef Michael Carr, our charity patron, shares his recipe and tips for cooking a roast dinner, one of his favourite family meals. Michael’s foster mum, a chef, helped him discover his passion for food. She introduced him to the joy of cooking, real food and life in the kitchen, sparking a passion that would eventually become his career.
“Suddenly I was part of a family. We cooked together, we ate together… and I fell in love with it.”
Today, Michael runs a successful bistro with his partner. But he credits much of his journey to the foster carers who gave him the stability, support and sense of belonging he needed as a child.
Find out more about Michael’s personal journey and his inspiration – click here🌟
Ingredients & Method
For the Roast
- 1.2–1.5kg beef topside, chicken, or pork loin
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt and black pepper
- 2–3 cloves garlic
- Fresh rosemary or thyme
Take the meat out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking. Heat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan. Rub the meat with oil, salt, pepper, garlic and herbs.
For beef topside, roast at 220°C for 20 minutes, then reduce to 180°C / 160°C fan and cook for approximately:
●Rare: 15 minutes per 500 g
●Medium: 20 minutes per 500 g
●Well done: 25 minutes per 500 g
Rest for 20–30 minutes before carving.
Roast potatoes
- 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 3–4 tbsp beef dripping, goose fat, or vegetable oil
- Salt
Parboil the potatoes in salted water for 8–10 minutes. Drain and leave them to steam dry. Shake them gently in the pan to rough up the edges.
Put the dripping/oil into a roasting tray and heat it in the oven. Carefully add the potatoes and turn them so they’re coated.
Roast for 45–60 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy.
Yorkshire puddings
- 140g plain flour
- 4 eggs
- 200ml milk
- Pinch of salt
- Oil or dripping for the tin
Whisk together the flour, eggs, milk and salt until smooth. Leave the batter to rest for at least 20–30 minutes if possible.
Put a little oil or dripping into each section of a Yorkshire pudding tin and heat in the oven until very hot.
Pour in the batter and bake at 220°C / 200°C fan for 20–25 minutes.
Don’t open the oven door while they’re cooking.
Vegetables
- 4 carrots
- 1 broccoli
- 200–300g green peas
- 1 small cabbage, optional
Boil or steam the carrots for around 8–10 minutes.
Add the broccoli for the final 4–5 minutes.
Cook the peas separately for around 3–4 minutes.
Don’t overcook them — you want the vegetables to retain a little bite.
Gravy
- Meat juices from the roasting tray
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 500–600ml beef or chicken stock
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, optional
Once the meat is removed, leave the roasting tray on the hob.
Skim off some excess fat, then stir 1 tbsp flour into the meat juices.
Cook for 1–2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the stock, scraping all the browned bits from the bottom of the tray.
Simmer for 5–10 minutes until thickened.
Add Worcestershire sauce and season to taste.
To Serve Your Roast Dinner
Slice the meat and serve with crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, carrots, broccoli, peas and plenty of gravy
Chef’s Tip:
For a really good roast, the key is timing. Get the potatoes cooking first, make the Yorkshire batter while they’re roasting, cook the meat, then use the meat’s resting time to finish the Yorkshires and vegetables.
🎉 January Fun Facts for the Family Dinner Table
✊ Did you know? Martin Luther King Jr. was born on 15 January 1929. He fought for racial equality using peaceful protests and powerful speeches. His birthday is celebrated with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January in the USA.
💬 Dinner question: If you could change one thing to make the world a fairer place, what would it be?
🖥️ Did you know? On 24 January 1984, Apple launched its original Macintosh computer. Back then, personal computers were very different from the laptops and smartphones we use today!
💬 Dinner question: Could you manage a whole week without a phone, tablet or computer? What would you miss most?
👑Did you know? Every year on 25 January, people celebrate Scottish poet Robert Burns. Burns Night often includes poetry, traditional Scottish food, music and dancing!
💬 Dinner question: If you could invent a new family celebration, what food, music or traditions would you include?
Hear what our foster carers have to say💛
We believe our carers are the best people to tell you about being a foster carer. Find out what they have to say about fostering children and young people via the links below or check out the video stories on our YouTube channel.
🌐Check out our foster carer stories
🌐Find out more about fostering on our fostering with us pages and our FAQs page
Interested becoming a Foster Carer?
If you’ve been thinking about fostering we’d love to talk through your options to help you explore whether this could work for you and your family.
📞 Call us today to learn more – UK FreePhone 0800 0856 538
📍 Book an appointment with our team via our at Contact Us page
Could you open your home and heart to help local children? Let us help you today to find out if you can be a foster parent. ❤️
