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The main dish, Mediterranean

Herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables

This herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables serves 6, with 35 minutes of active work spread across the day. The meat gets seared and crusted that same morning, leaving only the oven to manage before guests arrive. It's rated medium difficulty, about €7.50 per person, and a thermometer is the key to keeping the center rosy.

A rosy beef roast under a crust of basil and parsley, with zucchini and tomatoes roasted sun style in the oven.

Herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables
For
6 people
Work
35 min
Total time
1 h 30
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€7.50
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under its crust of basil and parsley, the roast keeps a rosy center and a juice concentrated by the oven heat. The crust turns slightly crisp when you slice into it and perfumes every piece, while zucchini and tomatoes slowly caramelize alongside. It's a summer dish that smells like a garden, simple enough for a casual dinner with friends and polished enough for a family gathering.

The meat comes together the same morning, which leaves the rest of the day free to handle the rest of the menu or just enjoy your guests. Serve it after a light, fresh starter, it easily carries a summer meal, whether you're eating outside on a terrace or at the table during a heat wave.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps, 25 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 1 h
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Make the herb crust and sear the roast the same morning, then coat it and keep it chilled until your guests arrive. Right before they get there, put the vegetables in the oven followed by the roast, then let it rest under foil while you welcome everyone. At serving time, slice the roast and plate it with the roasted vegetables and their juices.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Beef roast 1.2 kg

Fruits and vegetables

  • Basil 1 bunch
  • Flat leaf parsley 0.5 bunch
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Zucchini 3
  • Tomatoes 6

Pantry

  • Breadcrumbs 40 g
  • Dijon mustard 2 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Mustard

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Chop the herbs with the garlic, mix with the breadcrumbs, a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. 10 min

    Chop them at the last minute, basil darkens quickly in the air.

  2. Sear the roast on all sides, let it cool, then brush it with mustard and coat it with the herb crust. 15 min

    Press the crust on with your hand so it holds in place.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Cut the zucchini and tomatoes in half, season them, and roast at 200°C. 35 min

    Place the tomatoes cut side up.

  2. Put the roast in the oven at 200°C with the vegetables, then let it rest under foil. 25 min

    Pull it out as soon as a thermometer reads 52°C at the center for a rosy roast.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Slice the roast and plate it with the roasted vegetables and their juices.

    Cut it into even slices with a sharp knife.

Our tips to get it right

  • Always let the roast cool down after searing it, otherwise the mustard and crust slide off instead of sticking.
  • Pick a roast with an even, regular shape, it cooks more evenly and the herb crust stays in place across the whole surface.
  • If you don't own a thermometer, count about 20 minutes of cooking per 500 grams for rosy meat, but check once by piercing it.

The variations

  • Swap the beef for a veal roast, the cooking method stays the same but watch the internal temperature, which should run a bit higher.
  • For a vegetarian version, keep only the Mediterranean vegetables and add a portion of feta or mozzarella halfway through cooking.
  • For kids, serve the meat without the herb crust on the side, and cut the vegetables into smaller, easier to eat pieces.

What to serve it with

  • Plain basmati rice or couscous
  • A well seasoned green salad
  • A chilled rosé from Provence

Storage

Keep leftovers in the refrigerator in a closed container for 2 to 3 days. Cooked beef doesn't freeze well since it loses its tenderness, so it's best eaten within a few days. Reheat gently in a low oven to avoid toughening the meat.

Questions about this recipe

Can you make the herb crust ahead of time?

It's best made right before you apply it, since basil darkens within a few hours of being cut. You can wash and roughly chop the herbs the day before, then finish the mixture at the last minute.

How do you know the roast is cooked enough without a thermometer?

Pierce the center with the tip of a knife, the juices should run rosy, not bright red. Without a thermometer, count roughly 20 minutes per 500 grams for a rosy result.

Can you swap the breadcrumbs to avoid gluten?

Yes, gluten free breadcrumbs or almond flour work well to bind the herb crust. The result will be slightly less crisp but will hold just as well on the meat.

How long should the roast rest before slicing?

Let it rest about 10 minutes under foil once out of the oven, giving the fibers time to relax. This keeps the juices from running out when you slice it, so the meat stays more tender.

Can an herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 35 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make an herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables?

Allow 1 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 35 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in an herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables?

About 560 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an herb crusted beef roast with Mediterranean vegetables cost?

About €7.50 per person, that's €45.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, mustard. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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