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.

Gildas are a Basque pinxos (like tapas), here's a traditional recipe: https://www.bascofinefoods.com/spanish-recipes/gilda-pintxo/?srsltid=AfmBOoop5l86OD1LuADAv4G9CEeqC5K52dbCeJpgfrHaNCqtNwxSsI1Z

I often use those fresh/marinated anchovies from the supermarket, rather than tinned so they're not so salty!

We have similar for breakfast and wouldn’t want anything till the main event?

I'm sorry but I wouldn't eat any of that.

I don't like cheese (or any dairy) and I don't drink alcohol.,

I just make soup for a starter, but it's only DD and me here.

Are any of your guests diabetic? If so, plan for a nice low sugar and alcohol free cocktail of some sort. Veg Dips are good too, but avoid celery as as it is an allergen.

I'm afraid it doesn't sound or look appetising... I am going to need to taste test IMMEDIATELY then can give fsir feedback!!

Agree too much heavy cheese and whilst that christmas tree looks great, I think it's more party platter territory plus could be very messy (not sure I'd want to dig in after half a dozen people have stabbed with the same cocktail stick they're eating with!).

I'd swop that for something like smoked salmon blinis or for something lighter stuffed olives & anchovy on cocktail sticks. You don't want to fill people up these are just meant to be a little something to keep them going & to serve with drinks.

ill agree to that too

We always have smoked salmon blinis with dill and lemon sour cream as an appetizer. I look forward to it all year (and eat about a dozen 😂 they are the tiny ones though!)

@Roushi it all looks gorgeous! I'm sure it will be amazing, too! Did I miss cracker/some type of bread to have with? ie slice baguette, specialty bread (cranberry loaf etc), nice flatbread.
Looks lovely and very well thought out. 😋

I’ve just spotted that this is a contribution- someone else is doing lunch.

I think this makes it even more important to do something lighter. As it is it’s only slightly better than turning up with turkey and sprouts as an appetiser 😭

My husband and I are not cheese fans, nor cold meats and I don't like olives so it wouldn't be to my taste but you know your guests!

I'd prefer something with smoked salmon and caviar and a nice choice of non sugary, non alcoholic drinks too. And something lighter and crunchy - crudité type stuff.

I'm a big eater but not sure I'd need anything between breakfast and Christmas lunch - except a starter but that's more with lunch in my head!

I'm sure you know the guests but I would find that overwhelming - too much going on. I'm not a fan of food where I can't choose what I have - too many things on the cocktail sticks - or stuff that looks messy when you eat it. Can't be doing with graze boards either. I do have a lot of ADHD tendencies so may well just be me.

Sounds lovely and I’m a fussy vegetarian.

What time are you all having breakfast?

Tbh fruit & a croissant would see me through until 2pm!

I think the tree looks fab but would rather a non edible cone for the tree!

I think you mean critique rather than criticise. Unless you just want people to be mean about it?

either way, the cheese ball sounds revolting. And what are you meant to eat the lump of cream cheese/ Boursin covered in olives with? Scoop it on a spoon? Very bizarre.

Appetisers at Xmas are meant to be delicate things like Salmon blinis and bite-size tarts, not a lump of cream cheese made to look like a Xmas tree!

something like - not too heavy but a bit of stodge that isn't cheese.

melon and parma ham is perfect for something like this, or a peach and balsamic salad

YANBU but a bit too much cheese.

Smoked salmon on blinis with sour cream and dill is a doddle if you buy blinis.

If you want to go a bit out there how about this (added bonus it's gluten free and vegan potentially)
Mini chapattis with coconut chutney and roasted cauliflower

Recipe for anyone interested

Toss bite sized cauliflower florets in a little oil, turmeric and salt, roast until tender (30 minutes in my oven)
Meanwhile make mini chapattis - you can use chickpea flour to make gf, or use half wholemeal half white and make a dough with water. Pat or roll out to a bite sized but thicker than normal chapattis and fry on a medium heat to cook through. I make coconut chutney with creamed coconut, mustard seeds, ginger purée, chopped coriander, finely chopped red chilli cooked for 5 minutes to melt the coconut cream and add water to get a thick consistency. Assemble a chapatti, chutney then cauliflower floret, top with a single coriander leaf

Too much cheese. But then I do love a cheese board in the evening, so if you're not doing that, then all good.

The cheese ball sounds a bit offputting, but it may well be delicious!

Why bother to post AI BS?

I do!! Can’t bear the stuff… think it’s sickly sweet and mostly tasteless🤢
Went to a BFs house one Christmas, he raved about his DMs raspberry roulade so much, I was dying to try it. She brought this “fabulous” dessert out - the white chocolste roulade I was sooo desperate to try. How the hell I squeezed it past my gritted teeth I’ll never know!
Awful stuff.

It all sounds great OP and, if you swap one cheesy thing for something lighter, would be perfect. Although personally I would be having all the cheese!

vodka cherry tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes Marinated in Vodka (In Oversized Martini Glass) Recipe - Food.com

nice and light and no cheese

its not, its my own critique, heaven forbid i spend time actually writing a proper response to the op, god help us if people would rather complain about others trying to help the op, what is the issue , omg how dare some people,

so much for actually trying to help,

but the wreath is composed of stuff arranged on cocktail sticks, you'd have to take a whole one, desconstruct it and discard the bits you didn't like.