The Sunday roast, one of the fundamental elements of British life, is under serious attack. The Sunday roast is beef, lamb, pork or chicken, cooked in the oven, and served with roast potatoes and vegetables. In a survey in 2012, this dish was second on a list of things people loved about Britain. And although British people cook a billion roast lunches every year, it is no longer in the country’s top five favourite meals. You will still find it in almost every pub, but last year saw a big fall in consumption, with 157 million fewer roast meals.
Unclear Origins
The origins of the Sunday roast are not clear. Some people say it appeared during the time of King Henry VII in the late 15th century. Every Sunday the King’s guards would roast beef over an open fire before going to church. When they returned, the meat would be ready to eat. These royal guards were soon called ‘beefeaters’, and the custom extended to the general public.
Central Role
In time, the Sunday roast became the most important meal of the week and a central part of British life. Roast potatoes and vegetables were added to the meal. The potatoes are cooked around the meat, absorbing the juices and fat. Vegetables include mashed turnip, parsnip, cabbage, broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts, carrots and peas. The meat is usually served with gravy, a sauce made with flour and the juices of the meat. Each type of meat has its own traditional accompaniments: pork with apple sauce, lamb with mint sauce or redcurrant jelly, and beef with Yorkshire pudding.
Less Popular
For many years, Sunday lunch was the centre of family life. Its popularity, however, has fallen considerably in recent times. Some people have moved the tradition to Friday evenings, leaving Sunday free for other activities. Other people prefer healthier types of food, or quicker, cheaper alternatives. There has been an enormous rise in takeaway restaurants– offering pizzas, kebabs, fried chicken or burgers – in recent years. And families do not share their lives as much now. But the Sunday roast is still an institution in the UK. In the words of Heston Blumenthal, chef at the world-famous Fat Duck restaurant: “The world would be a far worse place if the tradition of Sunday lunch were to disappear.”