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Roast chicken is pretty easy and yummy.

If it's a small dinner party, I really love to make my own pasta and ragu. Ragu cooks forever and smells heavenly when guests walk in.

I tend to go one of two ways, depending on how I'm feeling:

1. Try something new - I love to cook, so part of what makes it a special occasion is getting to try out a new recipe.

2. Beef Rib Roast or Rack of Lamb. Special occasion makes me think about red meat on the bone. As a bonus, they're simple to make - that way, I can concentrate on the special occasion itself instead of the cooking.

MikeV
DadCooksDinner

A big, GIANT paella. With the absolute best ingredients I can find.

Lamb chops, a creamed potato dish of some sort and sauteed greens.

Roast chicken is one of the few things I can cook well. Easy and impressive at the same time, especially with white-wine gravy made from the drippings. I also make a low-fat cheesy hash brown casserole that is super easy and awesome.

My absolute favorite special-occasion food to *eat*, however is Southern-style dressing (with gravy!). Best food ever. Why must it only be served for Thanksgiving and Christmas??

Country fried steak, the crispy kind with a moderate amount of gravy, not the kind that looks like dog food. Also, chicken in milk, because I accompany it with homemade bread. Or duck breast, just because it's very impressive but always an ordeal for me to get just right.

Caramelised pumpkin risotto. A special occasion dish mainly because I have to have a reason to stir continuously for 25 minutes.

Any variation of Pork Tenderloin. It's cheap and easy. I love any Bobby Flay recipe.

Shrimp scampi (if I'm feeling generous) or lasagna (if I'm feeling cheap). I like to make other things, but pasta is the only meal I'm guaranteed will turn out right.

My uncle's roast beef and gravy on rolls. It's an old family favorite--spicy, peppery, and rich with memories.

My special occasion dish is also from Julia Child: cassoulet. It can only be for special occasions because with all that duck and pork fat it would kill us to eat it more than once a year!

We have a huge extended family so I love to try new things when we all get together. The challenge is several very picky eaters, so the menu is usually classic with a meat dish and several savory sides prepared in an unexpected way. Epicurious is always a great inspiration for special occasions.

our special occasion food is our everyday comfort food, with some extra touches added. like mashed potatoes, but with rosemary, roasted garlic, and sour cream* added. or spaghetti, but with homemade meatballs* and crusty garlic bread on the side. so soothing and smile-instilling.

* = [soy]