|
||||||||
Basic Christmas starter ideas? |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London
Posts: 13,404
|
Basic Christmas starter ideas?
My family are so very fussy and will only have the very basic (they refused our parsnip crisps), British (they didn't like our Nando's infused stuffed mushrooms) foods.
So after the mushroom famine of 2007 me and my mum are stuck as to what we could possibly feed them as a starter (we can't axe the course, they'll demand it! ). My grandad has a bizarre obsession with... ugh... prawn cocktail but we really don't want to do that unless we can sex it up a bit! The only alternative we can think of is soup but for some reason my mum is refusing to buy canned soup (it's fine the rest of the year So any suggestions? We're going to see if the family like fishcakes though I have a feeling that will be far too posh for their liking!
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,706
|
If you go back to the soup idea you can make it now and freeze it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,569
|
Tesco do some lovely brie and cranberry filo parcels. Not sure if that too fancy for their palate but dead easy for you to make - just pop in the oven and serve with a salad garnish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: lala land
Posts: 2,203
|
I do the same starter every year and I would not be allowed to change it even if I wanted to. It is dead easy.
Basically, it is bashed up ripe avocadoes with white crabmeat, lemon juice and thousand island dressing mixed in to taste. It is then piled onto salad leaves and decorated with whole small prawns and chips of tomatoes. Takes about 15 mins to do! |
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Swashbuckling on Melee Island.
Posts: 21,624
|
Yeah I would make soup in advance and then freeze it. At least then all you have to do on the day is re-heat it.
I must admit before I read your full post I was going to say prawn cocktail, simple and classic... but you are right it is boring if not sexed up a bit. You could always give your guests a choice between soup and prawn cocktail though at least then everyone s happy. And to make it a bit different you could make a lobster and king prawn cocktail. |
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
|
asparagus with garlic butter?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1,121
|
Quote:
My grandad has a bizarre obsession with... ugh... prawn cocktail
Thats what I have every year and you couldn't pay me to change it! |
|
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,236
|
I often do chicken liver pate with melba toast. Simple, tasty and not too heavy. Make up the pate a couple of days before so the flavours can develop and then just do the toast on the day. Nothing could be easier really.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 3,113
|
Cheese & Bacon Filled potato skins - or do plain potato skins and a selection of fillings - such prawn, cheese & bacon (again), mushrooms, roasted peppers etc
Then each guest can pick what they want so those who fancy something a little more adventurous can have it and those who want something more plain (even just plain potato skins) can also be accommodated. Other than that, have a look at the Nigella Express book - loads of stuff in there that looks good but is quick and easy to do. If people like plain food, you can't really go wrong with either prawn cocktail or egg mayo - and you can sex them up a little (to look special at very least) without going OTT, meaning it is not too much hassle on Christmas day. |
|
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Athens - GR
Posts: 8,332
|
I don't do a starter but quite like having a brunch instead on the day with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs along with a mimosa - maybe you coud do a take on that on little pancakes or something?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Posts: n/a
|
I wouldn't do soup as it's too filling.
We have the same thing every year - a seafood platter from out local fish shop. Big prawns, crab, salmon and lobster, I serve it with oatcakes and salad. Yum. I believe M&S do one as well, so I'm sure Tesco etc also do them. |
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: I AM FEMALE!
Posts: 3,027
|
Quote:
I wouldn't do soup as it's too filling.
We have the same thing every year - a seafood platter from out local fish shop. Big prawns, crab, salmon and lobster, I serve it with oatcakes and salad. Yum. I believe M&S do one as well, so I'm sure Tesco etc also do them. ![]() marks and spencers do a big seafood platter but it's £75
|
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Herts
Posts: 18,385
|
I was going to suggest Prawn Cocktail before I finished reading your post! You could always sex it up a bit by adding avocado?
How about some bruschetta, with a small side salad? Or smoked salmon and crudites? |
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Posts: n/a
|
Quote:
what time shall i arrive? shall i bring a bottle?
![]() marks and spencers do a big seafood platter but it's £75 ![]() ![]() Yes that is a bit dear, ok, just smoked salmon and oatcakes then, don't want to be taking up any space meant for my yummy roast potatoes. |
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
|
A fewlight canapes and a class of wine, when people arrive and then the meal without a starter?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,060
|
Quote:
A fewlight canapes and a class of wine, when people arrive and then the meal without a starter?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
|
Quote:
I think this is a good idea, so thanks, you have just sorted out my dilemma
|
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,406
|
Smoked salmon, brown bread and watercress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London
Posts: 13,404
|
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'd never thought about freezing soup before though I suppose you're right about it being too filling for a starter. Unfortunately I've had to filter out all the salmon based ideas since non of them like salmon in any form (I, however, LOVE smoked salmon)! I'm quite like NIKKID's filo parcel idea since they won't be able to see what's inside!
Thanks for the help everyone! |
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 894
|
we would always have prawn cocktail for a starter, everyone loved it, how about prawns in filo, or crab or mackeral pate and toast, or you could always freak them out with oysters!
|
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Glossop
Posts: 724
|
it's all about the main course - just go straight for the Turkey & Sprouts !
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 17:32.

). My grandad has a bizarre obsession with... ugh... prawn cocktail but we really don't want to do that unless we can sex it up a bit! The only alternative we can think of is soup but for some reason my mum is refusing to buy canned soup (it's fine the rest of the year 

