Quick but impressive starters and puddings

[RingoStarr]

Am doing a big dinner soon for friends. It’s our Christmas get together and I’d like to do a really special starter and pud (someone else is bringing the main, which is beef). Needs to be something I can do after finishing work at 5.30 and still have time for a shower.

Any ideas?

smoked salmon bellinis....
pea and mint soup with part baked roll
pate and toast
prawn cocktail
all oldies but goodies and really easy and non time consumint
For dessert
poached pear and chantlly cream just lovely after a fairly heavy meal
and a cheese board or coffee and petit fours

Instead of a proper starter serve nibbles/canapés, which makes things much easier and more relaxed imo. Eg posh nuts and olives, blinis, charcuterie, etc.

I'm terrible with desserts because I don't really like them myself and haven't had much practice making them. So my go-to is lemon posset served in pretty glasses with a shortbread biscuit and/or edible flowers stuck on top! So easy and seems to go down well

easy pudding shop bought meringue nests whipping cream and raspberrys either do them as nests or break up the meringues to make eton mess in nice wine glasses takes about ten minutes

I think that a three course meal including a beef main needs a simple, fairly light starter. Something like a small pear, walnut and blue cheese salad or maybe coin sized Thai fish cakes with a light ribbon salad.

Prawn cocktail

Shop bought cheesecake and add some berries and even a small Christmas decoration.

Pavlova for a dessert. Make the meringue base the day before. Then all you have to do is whip the cream and sugar together and put it on top with the berries.

Chocolate mousse
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/christmas/christmas-recipes/a34689291/black-forest-trifle-pots/ Individual trifles

Nigella's melt in the middle chocolate puddings. Annoying buying the pots but they can beade ahead, put in the fridge, and then just chucked in the oven when you have finished the main and they'll be done in 15 mins. Looks very impressive.

www.nigella.com/recipes/molten-chocolate-babycakes

Ideally make up a jus or similar for artful plate drizzling, an a couple of berries for interest, and serve with cream or ice cream.

Smoked mackerel pate is super easy and can be done the night before.

But this marinated mozarella is also lovely and quick to make. I do recommend doing it with good quality mozzarella, not necessarily buffalo. And nice crème fraiche.

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/cheese-recipes/antipasti-of-mozzarella-chilli-lemon-crostini/

Both can be served with toasted sourdough.

This is a bit (very) old school but a godsend. Twice baked cheese soufflé. You do all the work the day before, let them. Oil then put them on grease proof paper on a baking tray covered in clingfilm and simply heat up on arrival. Sprinkle cheese and a spoonful of cream on before cooking and serve on bed of watercress.
You can use other cheese if cheddar is boring. Goats is nice, or I've done cheddar with Roquefort on top.
They come out all fluffy and magnificent and look and smell amazing.

Gu ramekins are a good size for them as well if you scale the cooking time back a bit.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/double-baked-cheddar-souffles

Do something you can make well ahead rather than on the day.

A pork and pistachio terrine with homemade Picallili
Pished fish smoked salmon - the whiskey and orange one served with a fennel, orange and watercress salad and rye bread.
Fresh crab tian. Easy as. Finely chopped deseeded tomatoes with a touch of coriander. Finely chopped cucumber with scallion and mint. Layered with fresh crab on top in chefs rings. Drizzle over some chilli dressing.

Puddings are easy as to do ahead and chill or freeze. Tiramisu, a proposed cheesecake with raspberries, a winter pavlova.