Christmas Day starter

[Noddythefirst]

We are in charge of a starter for 16 people for Christmas Day. Does anyone have great (and easy!) recipes?

Just seen the other thread!

Well the other thread is mainly people saying that they don't have a starter, or that they have prawn cocktail, so not very helpful for you who has to provide starter!
Smoked salmon for 16 people would cost an arm and a leg, so instead perhaps you could make a smoked trout pate, with trout and cream cheese. Serve with a few leaves and some toast.
Or perhaps cheese, walnut, endive and pear salad? You could use gorgonzola cheese, or perhaps goat cheese.

Or another idea would be two or three different types of melon, perhaps with a little feta cheese crumbled over, some pomegranate beads and a dressing.

I do an Ottolenghi style rocket salad, chargrilled asparagus, goats cheese, pomegranate & avocado - serve in platters for help yourself. Can be assembled early on & just drizzled with dressing before serving.

Or a soup- but not if transporting!

These are best served warm but are easy to make and transport. www.tasteandsmile.com/recipe/feta-red-onion-cherry-tomato-tarts

I’d go with a pate, cheap as chips and great for lots of people yet you can prettify by plate if needed.

So eg chicken liver pate or smoked salmon pate - you can either serve in a big dish and all help themselves with crackers, sourdough toast or rye or plate up there with salad stuff on side.

Make canapés eg Smoked salmon blinis (buy bits to make readymade at major supermarkets), mini pastry cases, filled with wild mushrooms, creme fraiche and thyme, prawn cocktail mini vol au vents and mini goats cheese and caramelised onion quiches would be my personal selection - if there's a vegan my go to is hummus and roasted red pepperoni pieces of pitta. Or buy all ready made ones that can be served cold (too much pressure on oven space).

Any vegetarians? Vegans? Allergies? Children?

Smoked salmon on bread and butter triangles, pate and Melba toast, a little crab or prawn Thai type mix served in lettuce cups, selection of crudités, blini with faux caviar and soured cream. I would aim for tasty and luxury but small portions and nothing that is going to get in the way of the cook battling with the bird in the kitchen. If I had vegetarians I would make it veggie eg ottolenghi or Italian/French style crudités , otherwise I would make it fishy. If there is quite a crowd platters with options work well eg some blini, some bread and smoke salmon, some pate , perhaps some simple pastry things( if you live nearby and thus won't need the oven )and some hummus on tortillas just in case of unexpected allergies/ pickiness.
The important things part of the meal is tha main course and if your host is providing then don't tread on their stressed and tired toes or do anything that will upset the timings !
I'm getting excited

We're doing prawn cocktail and carrot and lentil soup this year