January happens to be National Sunday Supper Month. For traditionalists, Sunday supper usually means one thing – a hearty, robust family meal of roast beef and potatoes swimming in a rich, velvety gravy. If you’re British, Sunday supper might even be ingrained in your national identity. In fact, in a 2012 poll in the UK, people rated roast dinner as their second favourite thing about Britain. (Incidentally, a bacon sandwich landed the top spot.)

While we might be inclined to change up the menu now and then, maybe even ordering in when we’re too tired to cook, the spirit of Sunday supper remains the same – a time to slow down after a busy week and enjoy a cozy meal with family and friends. So, haul out that Dutch oven, gather your peeps around the table and let’s reignite this lost tradition.

Urban Butcher

The concept of the Sunday roast dates all the way back to England in 1485 during the reign of King Henry VII. The King’s bodyguards were even nicknamed “beefeaters” due to their undying love of roast beef. To satisfy our roast beef craving, we popped into Urban Butcher in Mission. Led by Master Butcher Bob Choquette, Urban Butcher supplies quality cuts of ethically and naturally raised local meats, including Alberta beef, pasture-raised pork, free-range/free-run poultry products and other local deli goods. Rooted in the belief that cooking shouldn’t be intimidating, the butchers here are always on hand to provide helpful tips and tricks. We weren’t disappointed with our choice of a blade roast, which we popped in the crockpot and slowly braised until tender in a rich broth of spices, beef stock and soy sauce. It was one of the best roasts we’ve had in a long time.

Blade Roast | Urban Butcher | $31 | urbanbutcher.ca