Christmas Dinner - starters ideas please!

[flatmouse]

As the subject says. I need some inspiration please!

Ideas from past Christmases:

• Brie and cranberry parcels
• 3 fish terrine
• puff pastry tarts with various toppings
• home made potted salmon (mix fresh/smoked)
• retro prawn cocktail

Can't remember what else I've done.

pear, stilton, endive and walnut salad. something easy to make, doesnt need cooking or anything. and isnt too heavy pre big meal!

sounds good thanks

I think we will do a baked Camembert with celery, grapes and bread to dip in. My aunt made an awesome chilli and pecan baked Camembert one year so I might try that.

Homemade pate
Tomato and basil soup
Goats cheese and caramellised onion tarts

Last year I did pan fried asparagus tips wrapped in parma ham, with hollandaise sause, went down a treat.

The trouble with baked Camembert is that i'd have to do so many - DS would hog the lot! (and DD wouldn't touch).
DS would like the potted salmon again - that's his fave - DD had pork scratchings (yes, I know!) that year and would be happy with that again - i'd like to do something different.
Pate is a thought - any particular recipe you like? Also liking the asparagus but i've never mastered not burning them!

I spread the courses out. M&S do the best bree and cranberry parcels. Normally I buy individual dressed crabs, or readymade salmon cream cheese parcels with individual basil/cheese/tomato on puff pastry.

Yes pate is a good option with a nice caramelised onion chutney

Things that can be prepared beforehand

Chicken liver pate with melba toast and red onion chutney or prawns, smoked salmon, leaves sauce or cream cheese brown seeded bread

I usually do a smoked salmon terrine but this year I'm doing chestnut soup.

Smoked mackerel pate

Smoked mackerel pate

I don't do a starter for Christmas dinner but if I do one for another day-

small mushrooms , take the stalk out, fill with garlic&herb Philipelphia.
Egg and breadcrumb - twice.

Then deep fry when tou need them, serve with a rocket salad.

Or camenbert / Brie, egg and breadcrumbed twice. Deep fry.
I like this with mango cutney

All supermarkets sell lovely ready stuffed mushrooms. Pop in oven as they are and serve on a bed of rocket.
Would also second the baked Camembert. Morrisons have ones with cranberry or caramelised onion, oven ready for £2.50