Starters for Christmas

jam_mac_jam · 17-12-2019 10:23am #1

What are you doing for starters? I would like to rob your ideas.

I am thinking maybe something light like a crab salad with lettuce cups just so it doesn’t fill up too much. I was going to have scallops and chorizo but would rather something that I can prepare a bit in advance or would be cold so I am not cooking it at the same time as the dinner.

Any suggestions, what do you usually have. Something very tasty but easy...
This is my first time in my life that I have cooked Christmas dinner, which at my age is a bit ridiculous.

Bombaby1974 · 17-12-2019 10:29am

We usually do a bit of a seafood free for all. Some crab meat, a few tempura prawns, bit of prawn cocktail and some scallops. All with a bit of salad and some brown bread for those who want it.
Normally spread out the starter and main to give a little time for crackers and so the chef (me) isn't under too much pressure to get stuff on the table.

The Nal · 17-12-2019 10:30am

Lobster tails with thermidor butter.

Basically this recipe but with frozen lobster tails from Lidl. Easy.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/lobster-thermidor-butter

Arancini also great and easy. Make ahead and just drop into a fryer for 5 mins and serve. Put whatever you want in there. Pistachios are nice, peas, blue cheese etc.

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/13416/arancini--risotto-balls-.aspx

Crab cakes also nice and easy and just take a few mins to cook.

JustMe,K · 17-12-2019 10:42am

Always soup or salad.

CheerLouth · 17-12-2019 10:45am

Melon or pate for the non fish eaters; prawn cocktail for the fish eaters

No pate for me this year

parttime · 17-12-2019 10:47am

Ham hock terrine. Can do it 2 days early, slice and serve!

17-12-2019 10:51am

Im doing prawn cocktail this year. So quick and easy.

Mollyb60 · 17-12-2019 11:09am

My mum usually does chicken & mushroom vol au vents. I'll be having mini Christmas on Saturday and doing brie and cranberry tarts.

Staystrong32 · 17-12-2019 11:18am

This year we decided to do just prawn cocktails with lemon. Classic

phormium · 17-12-2019 11:19am

Always prawn and salmon cocktail here and some pate for the couple of non fish eaters. All prepared beforehand so just assembly needed, not very exciting but a tradition at this stage in this house.

CoBo55 · 17-12-2019 11:19am

I just leave it ticking over outside...

SusieBlue · 17-12-2019 11:32am

I'll be doing a sweet potato and chorizo soup, I think. Was tempted to scrap the starter this year in favour of doing party food in the evening instead (chicken wings, sausage rolls, mozzerella sticks, vol-au-vents, onion rings etc) but I was met great resistence by the family.

I didn't think they'd be able to put away a 3 course Christas dinner, cheese board and all that finger food but they've assured me they're up to the task :pac:

jam_mac_jam · 17-12-2019 12:06pm

Thanks, loads of lovely ideas there. I like the mixed seafood or the lobster.. sounds perfect.

beertons · 17-12-2019 12:08pm

CheerLouth wrote: »

Melon or pate for the non fish eaters; prawn cocktail for the fish eaters

No pate for me this year

Congratulations

jam_mac_jam · 17-12-2019 12:09pm

beertons wrote: »

Congratulations

I didn't get that at all. Can you not eat pate when you are pregnant?

Professor Genius · 17-12-2019 12:09pm

Foie gras on thin toasted broiche bread with raisin chutney.

SozBbz · 17-12-2019 12:12pm

Did crab salad last year, bought crabmeat in aldi and added mayo, lemon and some spices at home, served with lettuce etc.

also had smoked salmon, served as is with lemon to taste.

nice bread options, bought a nice brown bread and a sourdough from an artisan bakery -worth it.

Avocado salad for our resident vegetarian.

whomitconcerns · 17-12-2019 12:12pm

Pate with Melba toast and a winter berry coulis or caramelised onion chutney. 🤘

SozBbz · 17-12-2019 12:14pm

whomitconcerns wrote: »

Pate with Melba toast and a winter berry coulis or caramelised onion chutney. 🤘

oh yes, good point, I'd always have the fridge stocked wtih pate and nice cheeses etc (+nice crackers and chutneys) for picking at any time.

I think they key is something simple that can be served cold. Christmas cooking is enough wtihout having to worry about a hot starter. Keep it simple.

CheerLouth · 17-12-2019 12:31pm

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

I didn't get that at all. Can you not eat pate when you are pregnant?

Nope, too much vitamin A in it.

phormium · 17-12-2019 2:09pm

I like the old Cumberland sauce with the pate, bought the redcurrant jelly today to make some, good with the ham too.

akelly02 · 17-12-2019 4:07pm

No starters in my house , posh feckers the lot of ye

Postgrad10 · 17-12-2019 5:55pm

Same here. Homemade soup sometimes. But we all be starving for dinner because we have it in the evening.

SozBbz · 17-12-2019 5:58pm

Postgrad10 wrote: »

Same here. Homemade soup sometimes. But we all be starving for dinner because we have it in the evening.

Yeah to be fair the line between meals gets a bit blurred on Christmas day.

Lie in, late breakfast and then out with the dog.

Then "starters" around 2-3pm wiht the main probably not served til 5pm or thereabouts. Then Christmas pudding around 9

Postgrad10 · 17-12-2019 6:14pm

9/10ish we’d get up and have our normal breakfast. Snacking the rest of the day on fruit until dinner at 6pm. I’d love to have it earlier but there’s no changing them.

Loveinapril · 17-12-2019 6:23pm

CheerLouth wrote: »

No pate for me this year

I was the same last year, I was afraid it would be a give away as I LOVE pate. The food is the only thing I like about christmas. We always go to my in laws, so i am making the pate this year, maybe goats cheese tartlets with caramalised red onion and last year I did Scotch eggs for the kids but were appreciated by the adults at supper time!

SlipperyPeople · 18-12-2019 9:49am

we do a version of this https://www.lecreuset.co.za/recipes/potted-shrimp-au-gratin/

Lovely, spicy, not hugely christmassy but it's class. only at christmas for some reason too.

CheerLouth · 18-12-2019 10:27am

Postgrad10 wrote: »

9/10ish we’d get up and have our normal breakfast. Snacking the rest of the day on fruit until dinner at 6pm. I’d love to have it earlier but there’s no changing them.

I think I would actually die if someone didn't let me have my Christmas dinner until 6pm :P I do be starving from about 11am on Christmas Day & just about manage to hold out until about 3ish.

Mollyb60 · 18-12-2019 11:07am

Yeah we don't have a big breakfast at all so our Christmas Dinner is at 1pm. There would be slaps thrown if anyone suggested a 6pm dinner. That's usually the time when the whole extended family comes into ours for drinks and games. We spend the afternoon making sammiches for them all.

Postgrad10 · 18-12-2019 6:32pm

CheerLouth wrote: »

I think I would actually die if someone didn't let me have my Christmas dinner until 6pm :P I do be starving from about 11am on Christmas Day & just about manage to hold out until about 3ish.

It encourages unhealthy snacking too.

Posy · 18-12-2019 7:24pm

Postgrad10 wrote: »

It encourages unhealthy snacking too.

There's always a positive.

Starters for Christmas

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