Christmas day starter and non-Christmas pud dessert?

[naranciata]

What are you making?

I'm looking for a change but nothing too exciting - the in laws couldn't take too much change from the norm but I am so sick of what we usually have - cream of tomato soup and white rolls with a trifle as the non-Christmas pud dessert.

[SnowmanEnvy]

Prawn cocktail starter, Chocolate torte for pud?

[Mouthofmisery]

Smoked salmon starter. Chocolate Roulade dessert.

[Weedsnseeds1]

Pate, smoked salmon, a snazzy salad (pear, stilton and walnut for example), mein and Parma ham, a different flavour soup ( broccoli and stilton, chestnut ?). Dessert - croquembouche, pavlova, change the trifle up a bit (black forest, St. Clements ?), Roulade of some sort?

[ThisPasadenaHomemaker]

We're having king prawn cocktail with homemade wheaten bread for starter. Maybe some smoked salmon on the side if any survives xmas morning brekkie!

Dessert will be homemade black forest gateau.

Tomato soup for xmas day starter would make me cry.

[leccybill]

We're having pate. Tarte au choc for pudding.

Parents think both are v exotic.

[mogloveseggs]

we're having this as pudding

[ThisPasadenaHomemaker]

mog that stuff is insane! The best sticky toffee pudding I've ever tasted.

[Conniedescending]

We have watercress soup or seafood platter which is lovely and light. Fresh fruit pavlova or profiteroles for pud

[mogloveseggs]

It's bloody gorgeous isn't it. Hoping I will get up to Cartmel but if not there's a deli near me that sells it.

[OohhThatsMe]

How long does it keep when you've ordered it?

[OohhThatsMe]

Cartmel do online deliveries - are they really worth it then? I quite fancy a sticky toffee pudding at Christmas!

[PurpleDaisies]

No starter but Brie and cranberry tartlets and cheese straws out as nibbles.

Nigella's chocolate gingerbread cake for pudding (or a gingerbread based trifle).

[ThisPasadenaHomemaker]

Ocado sell it!!

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

We are having chocolate cake and ice cream this year as requested by dh and the children. I will add something alcoholic and a mini Xmas pud for me because I love them.

[PurpleDaisies]

I can also vouch for the fact that cartmel sticky toffee pudding is delicious. Last time in a moment of weakness I ate a whole big one to myself...

[mogloveseggs]

oohh there's some info about bb dates here

[ppeatfruit]

We have a salmon mousse\pate which is easier than it sounds. For dessert a tiramisu type trifle. I' m still wondering if I'll make a large one in a bowl or individual glasses.

[mogloveseggs]

pasadena I didn't know that! No waitrose anywhere near here though in fact i've never been in one

[mogloveseggs]

slightly worried now that I've started a trend and you'll all buy one and there will be none left for little old me

[PurpleDaisies]

dixie I've got a stack of parsnips and sweet potatoes in my veg box this week. Would you share the recipes?

[Knittedfrog]

No starter here but warm chocolate brownies and ice cream for dessert.

[TheHighPriestessOfTinsel]

by popular request I usually do apple and mincemeat puddings. They're quick and simple, and tasty nicely festive without being anywhere near as heavy as Christmas pudding.

No formal starter - I do a few canapes to hand round while we open some presents.

[Samberry]

Hi There, I completely understand your pain. I deal with picky in laws every year and it can be a real pain. The best trick I found was making some changes to the menu each year but keeping it around a main theme. For instance, you said you usually have cream of tomato soup and white rolls with a trifle as the non-Christmas pud dessert.
Try replacing the cream of tomato soup with a another tomato treat. I like Easy V8 Gazpacho with white fish in shot glasses. This one is super easy but looks amazing and will make you feel life a professional chef.
Take 32 Oz of V8 Original, and our it into a pitcher. Then add about a cup of finely chopped cellery, and a cup of chopped cucumbers. You can also add minced garlic and chopped green pepper or tomato if you like. Just get it to your taste. Then referigerate it for 2 hours.
About 20 minutes before you want to serve, take some nice white fish like Haddock, season it with salt, pepper and some lemon juice. Wack it in a nice hot pan with some olive oil and cook it on both sides. Then you just slice it up, pour the Gazpacho into shot glasses, (you can use bowels if you like) and add a small piece of Very hot Haddock. The hot and cold are really interesting in your mouth and it is really easy to present. The first time I had this recipe I was actually travelling on the Orient Express and it was great! Also if you are interested, you can actually get the V8 for free right now. I just signed up for this contest. woobox.com/mn2cws