Alternative roast dinner

[Tigerpaws57]

I have six adults coming for lunch on the sunday before christmas i want to do a lovely winter comfort food type meal - probably involving a big joint of meat of some sort. But would like to make something a bit different from the usual sunday roast/christmas dinner type thing. Would very much welcome your suggestions!

Id do big joint of lamb and roasted veg with a wine sauce.

What about a big beef and ale stew with dumplings or a lovely crusty loaf of bread?

If you want to stick to a joint, then how about Beef Wellington? Gordon Ramsey's recipe with parma ham and wild mushrooms is absolutely lovely and special for an occasion.

Or a huge slab of skirt steak, marinaded and seared, then served in thick slices. Fabulous with rosemary roast potatoes.

Go Greek? Roast lamb with oregano. Roasted potatoes with lemon juice. Greek salad. Tsatziki etc. Throw pomegranate seeds around liberally to make it all look festive!

It depends on preference but what about beef wellington with all the trimmings? Or A slow cooked beef casserole? Or a classic fish pie? Maybe a nice beef brisket or BBQ pulled pork. Argghh there's so many options and I've just made myself hungry!!!

Slow cooked pork with apple sauce and a sweetened thick gravy with mash and green veg like purple sprouting broccoli. I would also do swede or turnip.

I’d go for a casserole - Gordon Ramsey’s Beef in Beer with dumplings is very good. And some interesting veg, maybe ones you don’t do at Christmas. Red cabbage and/or mashed swede?

I'd do slow cooked pork, wedges and homemade bread with stuffing and apple sauce for the ultimate sandwiches.

If it is any help, we are having salmon on crutches (en croute) for Christmas Day. Courtesy of M+S. Delicious.

So easy and so tasty! None of us like Turkey or roasts just to mention!

Beouf Bourguignon

Pulled pork

Beouf Bourguignon

Slow cooker pulled pork, served in brioche rolls etc

Whoops, sorry!

I’d be tempted to make a nice casserole. You can get in a few hours beforehand and forget about and instead enjoy the company of your friends/family. Far less washing up afterwards too.

Pulled pork, jacket potatoes, coleslaw and salad?

Stews nice. Moroccan lamb stew?

Lamb shank tagine? Festive, rich but a bit different. Jewelled cous cous to serve with it.

Diana Henry has an amazing slow cooked lamb leg with pomegranate and honey. It’s delicious with rice or flatbreads.

Toad in the hole

Yum. Some lovely suggestions. Thanks all xx

Of you like Indian food how about lamb raan and a selection of curries worth naan? Meera sodhas lamb raan recipe is gorgeous - I've five it using a leg of lamb in my for cooker overnight, then in a hot oven for 30 mins to crisp it up.

I'm doing similar on Xmas eve and having pie night, big steak pie all homemade, chicken ham and mushroom pie homemade chips and roast parsnips.

Indian style roast.
Meera Sodha does a fantastic Whole roast masala chicken, we served it with her Ferrari potatoes, Green beans with Mustard seeds and ginger and a Cabbage thoran.

Honey roast gammon ham with cauliflower cheese

Slow cooked leg of lamb (try a Kleftico recipe)

Serve with warm pitta/flatbreads

Tzatziki, dips and a fresh salad with pomegranate and balsamic