ByPASCAL PERETZ-ROBIN

Sometimes we get lazy when it comes to preparing complex meals that require a lot of preparation and long cooking times. This week, I chose to respond to your requests for dishes that don’t require much work in the kitchen, yet are tasty and visually appealing. I picked two such dishes. One is a beef roll coated with mustard and honey, served whole at the table and sliced in front of the diners.

It can be prepared each time with a different coating. The second dish, which I usually serve alongside the roll, is a side of Jordan mushrooms or a mix of mushrooms. You can add a pot of seasoned rice – and you have a light and tasty meal with zero effort.

Meat Roll with Mustard and Honey, Preparation Process.
Meat Roll with Mustard and Honey, Preparation Process. (credit: Pascal Peretz-Robin)

Beef Roll with Mustard and Honey

Difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: About 1.5 hours
Type of Dish: Meat

2 kg beef chuck tied for rolling

Coating A:
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
10 crushed garlic cloves
1 onion sliced into strips
2 tbsp honey

Coating B:
2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ tsp turmeric
2 tbsp oil

Method:

  1. Mix all the ingredients for the coating in a bowl, and spread the mixture along the length and sides of the roll. Place a rack in a baking tray and put the beef roll on it. Cover the tray with aluminum foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the meat so there’s space for the juices released during baking.

  2. Bake the roll for 1.5 hours in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F), until the meat softens. Open the aluminum foil, baste the roll with its juices, and continue baking for another 30 minutes until evenly browned. Serve hot with the sauce formed during baking.

Assorted Mushrooms Side.
Assorted Mushrooms Side. (credit: Pascal Peretz-Robin)

Mixed Mushroom Side

Difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Type of Dish: Parve (Neutral/Non-meat)

Ingredients (for 6–8 servings):
2–3 baskets of mushrooms, assorted types to your taste
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
3–4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
2–3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Leaves from 2 sprigs of thyme

Method:

  1. Wash the mushrooms, pat dry, and arrange them in a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper, olive oil, teriyaki sauce, balsamic vinegar, and thyme leaves, and mix well.

  2. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20–25 minutes, until tender.

Pascal’s Tip: You can replace the honey with various jams, such as fig, date, or apricot.