24 special roast recipes

Pan-roasted veal chops with fresh sage, sliced mushrooms, and prosciutto in a white wine pan sauce. Italian-inspired one-skillet dinner that turns bone-in veal into a special-occasion showstopper.

Beef brisket roasted on a bed of onions, then glazed with beer-braised prunes, apricots, brown sugar, brandy, and warm spices. A sweet-savory showstopper for special occasions.

Sweet Southern honey rice tossed with roasted peanuts, melted butter, cinnamon, and ginger. A warm, fragrant side dish that turns plain cooked rice into something special in minutes.

An air-dried roast duck glazed with Scotch, soy, honey, ginger, and brown sugar marinade until the skin turns deep mahogany. A Peking-duck-inspired showstopper for a special-occasion dinner.

Crown rack of veal, a showpiece roast with a Romano breadcrumb crust, filled with a rich Creole-style oyster stuffing and served with a reduced pan sauce. A centerpiece for special occasions.

Basic rack of lamb: a French-trimmed rack marinated, then roasted hot to a rosy medium-rare and carved into elegant double-bone chops. The foundation technique for an impressive special-occasion main.

Beef Wellington, a true centerpiece roast: a beef tenderloin wrapped in a mushroom, pate, and Cognac duxelles and flaky puff pastry, then baked golden. An elegant special-occasion main that carves into pink slices.

Fruit Cheeses are closely related to jams and jellies but have a firmer texture and are usually served moulded and cut into chunks as an accompaniment to roast or cold meats. Quince really makes the best cheese and is a wonderful rich amber colour. It is a particular speciality of Spain and is traditionally eaten as a sweet snack. This recipe will keep for 2 years and makes a wonderful and unusual gift.