Husband “won” a gourmet hamper at the last school fundraiser and I’ve been trying to clear out the contents before they expire (which is what usually happens to all the odds and ends in my gourmet hampers). This week’s clearance item: Spice & Co Australian BBQ Spice Mix. Inspired by a delicious beef fillet Husband’s brother cooked for Xmas a few years ago, I decided to rub one with the spice mix then roast it. The results were melt-in-the-mouth tender, even fusspot “it’s chewy” Sprog 2 pronounced it delicious and asked for seconds. Parnsips aren’t to everyone’s taste, but I find if you boil ’em long enough, then mix ’em with enough cream and salt they can be quite palatable. They’re carb-free too, as opposed to potatoes. Since Sprog 2 cares nothing for the lack of carbs in her side dishes, I made her some mashed potato instead. Sprog 1 doesn’t eat mashed anything and requested cous cous next time to pad the meal out. Beef fillets aren’t cheap, but I had enough left over to make beef fritters the next night for our dinner. Recipe for fritters to follow tomorrow.
Spice-rubbed beef fillet with parnsnip mash
INGREDIENTS: 1kg beef fillet; 2 tablespoons Spice & Co Australian BBQ Spice Mix; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 parsnips; 1 tsp salt; 1/3 cup of Liddell’s lactose-free cream (feel free to use normal cream or milk if you prefer, but I tolerate the lactose free stuff better, it’s in the long-life milk section of the supermarket); mixed steamed veg.
METHOD: Remove the beef fillet from the fridge and let it return to room temperature. Preheat oven to 200C. Mix spice mix with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to form a thick paste. Rub paste all over beef fillet. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy pan and sear the beef fillet until it’s brown all over. Place beef fillet in a baking dish and roast for 30 minutes. While it’s roasting, peel and chop the parsnip and boil it. Remove beef from oven and rest it in a warm place for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, mash the parsnip with salt and cream. Slice beef fillet and serve with mash and steamed veg.
PS If you can’t find the Spice & Co mix, any mix will be fine. Just be wary of ones containing chilli for little ones with sensitive tongues.
housegoeshome 
Perfect timing since I was given 3 parsnips today by a friend (I tried to smile politely whilst thinking ‘what the hell am I going to do with these?’). Now I know exactly what I shall do. Off to the butcher I go. I like the way your recipes are a good combination of interesting flavours with kid-friendliness. We struggle to get that balance right in our house!
Thx Lara. I’d hate to be restricted to eating what the kids like, and I’m not keen on making two totally separate meals, so I try and add a tasty twist for adults.