what starter?

[Reiltin]

Doing Xmas dinner for the first time - like a proper grown-up! Having trouble with starters. I want something not too labour-intensive and that goes with the traditional Turkey dinner. (My phone capitalised Turkey but it seemed apt so I didn't change it!). What starter do you do that works? Thanks!

I know it's not very inspired but you can't beat smoked salmon in my mind!

We usually have smoked salmon - it's easy and light before the main event! You can make it smart with blinis, sour cream and a bit of lumpfish caviar, or just go simple with a bit of brown bread and butter and a squeeze of lemon.

That's what my mom always does too. Though I'm not a big fan of smoked salmon. Nor is my brother so usually have mon or grapefruit. I thought it would be nice for us to all eat the same thing. Light is a good idea though - a good place to start

Parsnip soup? You can add Thai curry spices at the end to make it a bit posher. Also can be prepared in advance and then heated up on the day.

I was thinking the same, smoked salmon - delish and simple.

Baked goats cheese? With a little balsamic glaze or honey drizzled on bed of rocket?

cantaloupe melon + honeydew melon + smoked salmon = a tasty starter :)

We have salmon mousse or pate for those that don't like fish with oat cakes or Melba toast.

We often do a soup starter, with not too much bread (it keeps us going until the mis-timed dinner actually makes it to the table!) Last year we had butternut squash with warming chilli, it was yum!

Nothing too filling, soup tends to be. But is easy and hot.

I'd avoid carbs unless you have v hungry men.

Is it the fish or the greasiness you don't like? Because poached trout fillets, cold, with lemon and bread and butter also great, less greasy.

If you don't like fish, Palma ham with melon good.

Or go to M&S or Tesco or wherever and plate up a selection if canapés, with salad. Christmassy and no sweat.

We usually have smoked salmon as well, or pate. We had scallops with chorizo one year & that was bloody lovely.

Prawn cocktail for all f us, pate for my Dad. Same for the last 30 odd years. Don't mess with tradition. My MIL has no starter, and passes round crisps or at a push spring rolls, not even at the table makes me vay vay sad. It's my turn this year praise be!

Mixed mushroom bruschetta.

Or have a look for cold canapés. You can pre make and everyone can help themselves.

yep fish, we have smoked salmon, part of meal i enjoy most, after all that running round, that first sip of champagne....beautiful slice of salmon,...yum!
i went off plan last year nad i was a disaster.

Any good tips on something I can stick on a canape (ie tiny bit of toast) for a pregnant person as smoked salmon/pate/and cured meats are all out?

We have Parma ham, mozzarella, rocket and clementine segments, drizzled with a bit of balsamic vinegar.

I plate them up in advance and drizzle the balsamic just before serving.

M&S are selling some lovely seafood in scallop shell starters.

Personally I just like a chocolate selection box starter and go straight into the main course. My family eat prawn cocktail starters though. I have melon.

My favourite is fresh melon (honeydew is nice!) drizzled with port! :D

Either grilled goats cheese or baked tiny camembert here.

My mum makes a lovely Stilton pate, which she serves with pears and walnuts

We don't do a starter otherwise they'd all be bailing out before they finished the main course (such lightweights )

If you have a Christmas Breakfast then the selection boxes, Bucks Fizz, three courses , mince pies and Christmas Cake............... how? Does your Christmas Dinner span four hours or something?

Over the years, we've honed what works and what doesn't.
Big breakfasts on the days before and after but just toast and coffee on The Day.

Might do soup for Christmas Eve and some nice fresh bread and a buffet type meal.

Ham hock terrine. You can make it the day before, and it is super easy.
You just need to do some toast before you serve it, and can use the same chutney that you have for cheese/leftovers. Looks very impressive on the plate as well!