Christmas day starter - cold, prepared & elaberate

[bacon]

Usually I do a smoked salmon terrine, made with layers of plaice ans salmon mousse and finished with gravelax. Easy to freeze and cover with the gravelax in the morning. Looks amazing and tastes devine.

But done it 3 years in a row now need a change. What can I do on the same par? Prefer fish/veg as starter.

Umm...this is really cheeky and no help to you at all...but please could I have the recipe for your smoked salmon terrine?!

I am trying to think what you could do for a starter. My first thought was pate- a meat version of the terine if you will- but I see you would prefer fish/veg.

ceviche - using a lime and chilli marinade. really gorgeous and very easy.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10784/twicebaked-goats-cheese-souffls-with-apple-and-wal

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/6669/seared-scallops-with-leeks-and-lemon-chilli-butter

Why dont you do potted shrimp? it can be made before and i think it looks nice (espescially if you set a sprig of something in the butter on top) with some lovey bread? or is that a bit to retro?

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9093/crabstuffed-avocados too retro?

ooh x-post with our retroness,Slobbadan!

I really want some crab or prawns now!

king prawns in a tempura batter with salad? No recipe it just occured to me as i am also now craving prawns!

I never do a starter... More washing up! I love the sound of some of these though :)

Notasize10yetbutoneday
www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/index.php/chatroom/topic/360

This is the link for the old receipe.

gravadlax (spelling correct) with the sauce is available from sainsbo.

I was thinking of retro too - crayfish and king prawn salad - type of prawn cocktail.

Souffle? um, cooking - its not possible with the oven being cramed full. Needs to be prepared in advance.

Really its not much washing up as its all prepared.

Ah yes didn't see about it being cold. That link just takes me to the homepage unfortunately, i've done a search on the website but it doesn't seem to be coming up.

I did puff pastry tarts last year with red pesto, mozerella and cherry tomaotes with some salad. Idea was from one of the good food recipes, they also have one with red onion and goats cheese

Cooked the tarts the day before, warmed back up in oven before serving (although they are yummy cold too)

I also need a starter but needs to be non-meat and not have obvious fish in ('vegetarian' will eat fish, but kids will object!).

How about an insalata you can buy good jars of aubergine /artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes etc. in olive oil or make them in advance lovely with fresh crispy bread for veggies.

Just had a thought regarding the starter thats if you have not already chosen!

What about a smoked salmon cheese cake? Add herbs and crushed walnuts to the base and smoked slamon and some nice erbs to the filling?

We often have blinis with sour cream and fresh king prawns or smoked salmon, topped with chives and black pepper. Can also decorate with a dab of black fish roe if you like that kind of thing. Quick and easy to assemble, especially if you buy in the blinis - though you can make your own in advance and freeze them. Look very posh on the plate, and taste great.

Delia's hot and sour pickled prawns have become our traditional starter - yummy.

I saw a youtube video of Marco Pierre White doing a leek and lobster terrine that sounds like it might be what you are looking for? He was cooking for Raymond Blanc I think - will see if I can find it.

Or you could do a plate of roast baby new pots (do the day before and microwave to warm up), with the bottom sliced off so they stand up and stuffed with sour cream and caviar? More a canape than a starter though.

glass of champagne