Christmas Dinner Help!!

[Smowball]

I’ve just found out that I am hosting Xmas dinner this year. Only 5 of us so not too big a deal. But I need to come up with a starter, any good ideas??

[mallyh]

pate and thin toast

[MargoTester]

Smoked salmon and prawns with a small salad garnish. Can be prepared in advance

[tiggerblue10]

Do you want regular ones like prawn cocktail or melon or new ideas?

[LadyCG]

Smow, this would be my choice every time:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pan-fried-scallops-parsnip-puree-pancetta-crumbs

My second choice would be goats' cheese and aubergine stack with balsamic drizzle.

[calmck]

Smoked salmon on buttered brown bread cut into small triangles on bed of spinach leaves decorated with cranberries for Xmas theme

[calmck]

I had largish jelly molds one bell one wreath and one snowman and used to make chicken pate with cream cheese mousse on top

[naomi24]

You’re not too well, snow, so be kind to yourself and make it as easy as possible. Either go for Margo’s suggestion or do prawn cocktail - either can be pre-prepared and left in the fridge. In your situation I wouldn’t flaff about with recipes. Your guests will enjoy it just as much.

[douglas9401]

Sprout surprise, a lightly-done Brussels, ideally from 1st December and stuffed with turnip and strawberry.

Delish!

[LadyCG]

You could make it really easy, Smow, and get a prawn ring from Iceland and an arctic roll for afters :-). A perfect frozen / winter theme.

[sunny-dave]

I believe that there is still limited availability of this amazing seasonal product :

https://tinyurl.com/2757dp5v

It's always a welcome treat if you can find it - try Fortnum and Mason.


[ or you could have smoked salmon, blinis and sour cream ]

[Redhelen72]

M&S do some amazing pre prepared starters and veg, so be kind to yourself.
You can also order online so it just needs collecting from your local store at a time that suits you

[naomi24]

Good idea. Pre-prepared vegetables too (apart from roast potatoes)
- and a lovely M&S dessert followed by a nice cheeseboard. Perfect.

[LadyCG]

Actually, you can blitz smoked salmon in the mini chopper with Philadelphia, a squeeze of lemon, rock salt and black pepper and fresh dill. Takes seconds and can be served with melba toast. Absolutely delicious!

You could also do the same thing with tinned mackerel instead or as well as.

We're having quite a late house-warming at the beginning of December now that the inside of the house is practically finished and I'll be serving my own homemade pate that night.

[Impatiens]

We have smoked salmon on brown bread triangles with lemon wedges while distributing the presents. Job done!

[DTCwordfan]

if you do want to cook, a salmon soufflé.

[anneasquith]

Or smow, you could forget about Xmas until December . ?

[naomi24]

Along with the Christmas crackers I always put a little gift on each place setting …often something funny. It makes Christmas dinner even jollier. :o)

[Redhelen72]

Not being funny but this really should be the last thing you do in your condition.
Who volunteered you?

[DTCwordfan]

small framed pictures of TTT, Grommit, gully, fatticus etc?, naomi......

[DTCwordfan]

I tend to agree with RH on this.....