Starter ideas

[Kittkats]

I still haven’t decided on a starter and need to shop soon! Can anyone suggest anything?
I want something small and light.
DD doesn’t like fish or seafood, so if it involves that I’d need to substitute something on her plate (possibly halloumi, I did this for years while she was veggie).
Youngest 2 won’t eat pate
DDad doesn’t eat cucumber.
Otherwise, anything goes. Ideally something I can pre prep with minimal cooking time!

Cantaloupe melon and Parma ham

the melon is lovely also by itself as well

that's what we are having yum!

Big mushrooms stuffed with garlic Boursin cheese, wrapped in Parma ham and oven baked.

taste amazing but very light!

Ah, forgot that youngest 2 don’t eat mushrooms!
I wonder if I could just do ham and Boursin for them? Or if there’s something else I could stuff…

I’m doing Halloumi carrot and orange salad. Good food recipe

it’s light and can be prepared early just fry the cheese and drizzle the dressing last minute

Cured meats and cheeses with olives, sun dried tomatoes and peppers. But it'll just be on the table for people to graze on before dinner rather than a sit down starter.

No starters is the best. You don’t need one unless your Christmas dinner is small?

A soup - maybe tomato and basil which would be light. Can make the day before and just serve a smallish portion.

Any other suggestions? Going to do the shop soon!

Tricolore salad - slices of tomato and mozzarella (and avocado if liked) with balsamic and basil scattered over.

Hmm, all my usual suggestions smoked salmon terrine, pate/toasts, stuffed mushrooms are a no go! 😆

https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/ Might be a bit boring, but you can make them with filo or puff pastry and add any fillings people will eat. The adults might like stilton whereas the kids might prefer tomato, ham or bacon, spring onions. I've also tried tuna/sweetcorn, salami, various cheeses.

https://simplehomeedit.com/recipe/cranberry-brie-bites/ I use puff pastry, not whatever the pastry in the recipe is. Use the cheap brie because it stays in shape when cooked, whereas Brie de Meux etc will melt and all run out- speaking from experience! Again, you could add stilton or a stronger cheese for those that like it. I made a batch lastnight to take to an event. I use walnuts because I'd run out of pecans.