Christmas starter ? What are you serving ?

[Dymaxion]

Bit fed up of smoked salmon and prawn cocktail, wondered about home made smoked mackerel pate ? but would love some other idea's ?

We have starters an hour or two before the mains.

I do a selection of mini starters for people to munch on

• mini prawn cocktails in extra large shot glasses
• little brie and cranberry filo crackers
• Garlic doughballs
• pate and star toast

Might add in a smoked salmon type thing this year too.

I usually serve smoked salmon and prawns with horseradish crème fraiche. But have also done a garlic bread wreath for the kids, or ham hock pots in the past. Had a lovely chicory salad with pomegranates, hazelnuts and blue cheese the other day and did think I’d recreate something like that.

We don’t have starters on Christmas Day but if I had to serve one, would have to be something light.
Smirked mackerel pate, whilst gorgeous, is quite rich. If you do go with that, make Melba toast,
dead easy but lighter than regular toas and looks quite fancy

Melon and Parma ham

Honemade gravadlax

Prawn cocktail or smoked salmon also perfect. To make it different, make a stack with chopped avocado & tomato mixed together, topped with prawns and/or smoked salmon

I’m planning to make chicken liver pate.

Fig stuffed with mozzarella wrapped in a slice of parma ham, baked in the oven