Please criticise my Xmas menu

[Roushi]

Just planning my contributions to the Christmas meal. I have been given appetisers and drinks.

I am just trying to strike that balance of making the day special but obviously not wanting to go overboard as there is so much gluttony on Christmas anyway.

Plan:

Appetisers
antipasti wreath
brie and cranberry parcels
Christmas tree shaped cheese ball and crackers (this was introduced to me by an American ex - not sure if it’s well known here but it is essentially a blend of cream cheese and other cheeses in the shape of a Christmas tree, some people add Boursin)

I reckon the above is good as it will take no time to make plus they can be picked at for a while and should not spoil. I was thinking of doing more canapé style food but I feel like it’s more of a pain in the arse to do.

but is obvious with my choices I’m kind of taking the easy route?

Drinks
Mulled cider
Berry cocktail of some sort
Champagne, wine (I’m not buying)

I am also going to make a white chocolate and raspberry Yule log which has sort of become my specialty. I enjoy baking and the person on pudding is fine with me doing so.

Is there anything you would take out? There will be no kids and 8 adults.

I always find mumsnetters think of things that don’t even enter my mind

I know to many this post is a bit unnecessary but I just get stage fright with food on big occasions.

Thanks in advance.

There are no committed cheese haters attending (we often do fondue, baked Camembert etc at gatherings) but I definitely need to make some adjustments.

I would absolutely do some smoked salmon on toasted bread but I know for sure that smoked salmon isn’t popular with this group.

It all sounds and looks lovely, but is pretty hefty (and rich) for a pre-Christmas meal thing. Feels more like a grazing-on-Boxing-Day kind of menu.
I'd substitute something for a 'fresh' option - some veg, or fruit, and maybe some smoked salmon blinis or similar.

A big hit here is prosciutto wrapped around asparagus- and then just heated up in frying pan til a little crispy.

They are lovely and seem a bit special 👀

You can wrap up and bring ready to cook-assuming you willl have use of the cooker?

I think it would be delicious for a regular meal, but too filling for Christmas. I would eat much dinner after all this. I'd personally opt for something light with minimal cheese, meat and carbs. Salad, melon with parma ham, prawn cocktail, a light soup, something like that.

As someone who hates olives (and lots of people do) please dial back on the olives on your tree and wreath thing.

I think I'd swap the cheese Christmas tree for a moulded salmon pate/mousse type of thing, or even a side of cold poached salmon with a nice citrus mayo and some watercress.

Don't get me wrong I love my food, and my cheese, but breakfast, then your appetisers and then main meal at two is a lot!

Is there cheese after the meal too?

We usually have blinis or the purists like a prawn cocktail. Yours sounds very heavy and more like a contribution to a buffet.

I think the problem with "assembled" canapes is that they are going to look lovely while untouched and then look very messy very quickly...sorry....also olives which are deffo a marmite food, are in 2 out of three of the recipes and cheese is in all of them. also also (sorry again) those mixed cocktail stick things are going to be a problem because you either have to like everything that is on the stick or pull them apart.

Too cheesey for me, and I not a fan of antipasti in a sharing/platter or in those awful charcuterie board style - something like this on skewers would be nice - or bruschetta with bowls of peppers and tomatoes would be amazing, but you know the group you are serving, and what they normally enjoy, better than anyone else.

Anything cheesy or antipasti out the fridge for more than an hour in a warm house is not going to be nice.

Berry (christmassy cranberry?) cocktail sounds interesting as long as it is a neutral spirit such as vodka or rum (not gin!). Could do a non-alc version for the drivers.

All sounds lovely to me as I love cheese but think others are right that it might be good to have something non cheesey as well. Home made mini sausage rolls and/or pigs in blankets might be nice (also would have said smoked salmon but you mentioned it's not popular with your group) and some veg with dips as well

How lovely it all sounds. I do agree with others though I’d be a bit nervous of the giant cheese ball. It reminds me of the ‘everybody’s so creative’ lady off TikTok but in a good way!

Id just knock one of the cheeses on the head and do something really light instead that’s not cheese to replace it. Even melon balls or little lettuce parcels or something, just to freshen it up. However you know your friends best and I sure whatever you do will be amazing by the sounds of it.

I know it seems like a lot but my lot do not do a heavy breakfast. It’s a fruit salad and pastries with coffee/juice.

I was thinking of only doing enough Brie bites for 2 each. The antipasti leftovers can go in sandwiches/toasties on Boxing Day.

I wouldn't have the cider, often it is stronger than people think.

I agree about the Brie bites being two each. Suggest Somerset Brie.

Yup you’re right, I think I’ll do the melon and Parma ham thing instead of the cheese ball tree. Some blue cheese may accidentally end up on a few sticks.

Thanks all.

Much fancier than the sausage roll wreath and mince pies i usually serve!! looks good!!

I cant think of much I'd want less before Christmas lunch than a sculpture of smushed together cheeses😬 😂
I'd switch it out for something lighter as you've already got the brie parcels. My vote would be for smoked salmon blinis.

I think that probably makes it slightly worse tbh. Everyone will be hungry, dive in and eat all the very filling food you've brought, and 15 minutes later everyone will be feeling full and whoever is cooking the main will be a bit miffed when no-one eats it.

If you just did the brie and cranberry parcels and served 2 each with some lightly dressed rocket leaves then it will be just the right amount to leave people still hungry for their main.

I love cheese to a disturbing degree but that's too much cheese, and I'd also not want to fill up on it right before a big meal. Definitely repurpose as a post-dinner thing if you can as I love the idea!

I love canapes too. Tiny tarts in those really fragile little cases! I've done little tapenade wheels before which seemed to go down well (olive lovers only). Little rollito type things for a little bit of cheese? Blinis with prawn cocktail mix on? Or some posh pate on a slice of cucumber to cut through? The charcuterie wreath is beautiful. Posh sausage rolls with some Christmassy sausage stuffing mix as the filling (if not too repetitive with the main course).

Edited as I saw you posted to say smoked salmon not popular!

Do the Brie parcels require cooking? That may be an issue if the main course is taking up all the oven space. You might want to check with the chef or substitute for something cold.

But your sausage roll wreath actually involves effort, I imagine it’s lovely.

But this is meant to be an appetiser - a side of cold poached salmon wouldn't be an appetiser.

Actually a sausage roll wreath can be done really easily (especially with bought puff pastry!). Long roll of pastry, fill with sausage meat filler, turn into a roll, then link up into a circle, and decorate pastry however you feel inspired to. Cut to serve and add a melted camembert for dipping?

Thats quite a lot before a massive Xmas lunch at 2 I’d say. I’d bin off the cheese tree thing as I think cheese more appropriate after a meal, or maybe for Christmas Eve nibbles. I say this as a fellow cheese slut. Maybe some posh nuts - something like this?

Wreath is great though! I’ve done before and worked a treat.

https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/party/salty-spicy-honey-nuts

Here's a bunch of stuff we do, in case it's helpful. We cater for a wide variety of eating restrictions (lactose intolerant, vegetarian, pescatarian, pregnant, no dairy).

Note: really I'm writing this down because I love planning for Christmas and just want to be involved.

Smoked salmon mousse (smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon, dill) either in croustades or on melba toast. Sometimes with salmon eggs on top. I make a non dairy version with vegan cream cheese too.

Smoked mackerel dip (as above except with smoked mackerel and parsley instead of dill) serviced with grissini.

Tricalore sticks (mozzarella, cherry tomato, basil - with and without salami).

Gildas sticks (anchovy, green onion, pickled chilli).

Fresh baguette and a butter board (butter board has butter, herbs, chilli oil, lemon zest).

Mini gazpacho soups (shop bought gazpacho served in shot glasses, celery salt around the rim if I can find it).

Mini prawn cocktail (also served in shot glasses).

Medjool dates stuffed with stilton (or with nuts for non-cheese people).

Sausage rolls and vegan sausage rolls (shop bought).

Cranberry and soy glazed chipolatas.

Chilli roasted nuts.

And lots of other things, but those jump to mind.

We also serve Poinsettia cocktails (prosecco, cranberry, triple sec, orange zest).

Oooo I love Christmas!

Its arguable aha! Premade puff pastry, caramalised onion chutney and seasoned sausage meat, shaped into a circle.

However it usually gets eaten, and can be served cold which is handy as i precook before people arrive!

In terms of cocktails, theres an instagram page called the mindful mocktail which does great christmas mocktails, im sure you could just add vodka or gin to it to make it alcoholic!