Prepare the cream cheese filling: In a medium mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Using a fork or spatula, stir until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy — you should see no lumps, and the colour will be an even, pale ivory. The texture should be spreadable but not runny.

Fold in the vegetables: Add the grated carrot, diced bell pepper, sliced spring onions, and fresh herbs (if using). Fold everything together gently until the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese. You’ll see flecks of orange, red, and green against the white base, and the mixture will smell fresh and slightly sharp from the spring onions.

Lay out the beef slices: Place a single slice of beef cold cut on a clean, dry chopping board. If the slices are very large, you can trim them slightly, but I prefer to leave them whole. The beef should look slightly shiny and feel pliable, not dry or cracked at the edges.

Spread the filling: Using a butter knife or small offset spatula, spread about 1½ tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the entire surface of the beef slice. Leave a 1cm border around the edges so the filling doesn’t squeeze out when you roll. The layer should be about 5mm thick and look smooth and creamy.

Roll tightly: Starting at the shorter end of the beef slice, roll it up firmly but gently, tucking the filling inside as you go. The roll should feel snug in your hand, and you’ll see the cream cheese peeking out slightly at the ends. Place the finished roll, seam side down, on a plate or tray.

Chill for 30 minutes: Once all the roll-ups are assembled, cover the tray with cling film and place it in the refrigerator. This resting time allows the cream cheese to firm up, making the rolls easier to slice cleanly. The roll-ups will feel firmer to the touch and the filling will hold its shape without oozing out.

Slice and serve: After chilling, use a sharp serrated knife to slice each roll into 2cm-thick pinwheels. The first cut will feel clean, revealing a beautiful spiral of pink beef, white cream cheese, and colourful vegetables. Arrange on a plate and serve cold or at room temperature.