What would you cook for a winter celebration meal?

[notnowlater]

I am cooking a birthday meal in mid December for a family member's landmark birthday.

There will be 7 adults. Three of the adults are reasonably fussy and let's say not very adventurous. Two won't eat nuts (preference not allergy) or smoked salmon.

I'm happy to cook 2 starters, and maybe 2 desserts (although there will also be birthday cake so maybe that's unnecessary!).

Ideally I would like to be able to prepare/cook the starters in advance. I have the previous day free for preparation, so would have time to do something more labour intensive.

What would you cook for a celebratory winter meal with these requirements?

Hope you can see this

thanks

I think I’d go either a spiced parsnip soup or pork and pistachio terrine to start.
An apricot and walnut porchetta with stuffed apples served with red cabbage and green bean bundles. Maybe a shallot tart tatin as a vegetarian alternative.
A baileys cheesecake or white chocolate and prune parfait.
Local cheese.

Actually not the pork M.D. pistachio if I was having pork for main. I’d swop that for maybe crab tian.

sashh yes I do have a slow cooker, but sadly 2 of the guests will definitely not eat kidneys

Leave them out or substitute mushrooms, I have friends who won't eat kidney either (or rabbit).

So many amazing ideas here. Stealing lots of them. I would love to come eat at so many of your houses based on these ideas!

I know you said a few don't eat smoked salmon, but I do live doing a gravalax at home for a starter. Looks impressive and people love thick slices served with rye bread and dill sauce. And you can eat leftovers :-)

I have done this gravalax many times with great success
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2793665/gravadlax-

Also *HFW beetroot tart tatin with a parsley and shallot dressing is OMG delicious but quite labour intensive I found for a starer. I prefer the type of starter that you make ahead (pate, gravalax, terrine etc).
www.rivercottage.net/recipes/beetroot-tart-tatin

Oooh, saving that tatin recipe, could be adapted to vegan I think & I am always looking out for good vegan ideas. Thanks.