Making a roast dinner extra special for a dinner party

[secondhoneymoon]

Am entertaining at the weekend for a group of people that combined have a long list of dietary requirements. Am sorted for starter and dessert. For main I've decided to do a 'spruced up' roast as this will be simpler for me and will help get around a lot of the allergies and dislikes. But would like to make it a bit more special than the roast I'd make for the family. Not decided whether beef or lamb (or maybe pork tenderloin). At it's simplest will make something like a Marsala sauce and lots of sides. Just wondered if you wonderful people had any further ideas? Can't include gluten, mustard, mushrooms, cream. Thanks

If you do pork tenderloin it is delicious roasted with shallots and apples.
This parsnip, spring onion and thyme gratin is something a bit more special.

Thank you @AtleastitsnotMonday - am leaning towards the pork and like that Apple suggestion. Also like the gratin recipe - can't include milk or cream or cows cheese for one of the guests but could make an adapted version for them with stock and goats cheese and then the original version for everyone else. Thank you x

To make it special, I'd cook venison using one of these recipes www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4811/panfried-venison-with-blackberry-sauce or www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/seared-venison-sprout-apple-slaw

Lovely ideas @Ricekrispie22 thank you. Will have to think where I might get venison, not seen it in our usual butchers

for a delicious braised pork I can recommend the Moro Pork in Sherry - we serve with either mashed potatoes or roasted and buttered spinach. It doesn't look like a Disney banquet but tastes delicious!
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2004/oct/02/foodanddrink.shopping

You could ask the butcher to bone a whole chicken if you don't feel you can do it yourself then make a gluten free stuffing to put in it, roast it whole and serve with a marsala sauce, pommes boulangere, and some nice vegetable sides.

Just to say - I know mash isn't extra special dinner party fare! But Boulanger or Dauphinoise would work too...

Doesn't Dauphinoise contain cream? That's why I suggested Boulangere.

More great ideas. Can't make Dauphinois because of the cream but appreciate the idea, Boulangere would be good. Or maybe Duchess potatoes

yes - but you could use a soya cream instead (but I can't vouch for its taste/application in dauphinoise...)

Boulangere is easy because you can prepare it in advance and serve it in the dish it was cooked in.

Yes I agree, and they are very forgiving so lots of flexibility

Asda and Waitrose sell venison.

IMO venison is an acquired taste - one that I haven't manged to acquire.

Was wondering about that too. I've enjoyed venison when I've had it but know people who don't. Might stay safe with one of the other meats. Really need to keep it simple with some fancier sides/sauces

These potatoes fit the brief and look quite impressive but pretty simple.

Wow, that looks impressive Atleast

Oh wow yes perfect thank you @AtleastitsnotMonday