Christmas starters (sorry!)

[bumpybecky]

Sorry - I know it's very early, but I need time to practice beforehand

I'm trying to decide on a starter for Christmas Day for 11 people - 6 adults and 5 children (aged 2 to 11).

It can't have..

• meat in it as one guest is a fish eating veggie(!)
• shellfish or liver pate (one guest hopefully pregnant by then)
• not soup as we did that last year and it was too filling
• anything requiring oven space as there won't be any!
• no smoked salmon or avacados (fussy eaters!)

Ideally I'd like something that can be prepared the day / evening beforehand to make things a bit easier.

any suggestions? (other than to invite less fussy eaters to my table?!)

oh and no melon either (that's me being fussy!)

Not many options left - I would do what I want and sod the fussy buggers - but I am selfish when it comes to food.

What about a simple tomato and mozzarella salad with lots of basil and basil infused oil and a slice of crusty bread to mop up juices

do you need to do starters with xmas dinner?

this is nice it looks like smoked salmon but doesn't taste like it.

oh yes - starters are essential (apparently)

This is the one meal each year I cook for my in laws. They're all lovely and much more foodie types than we are, so this needs to impress. None of the adults will complain (all far to polite!) if it's not right, but I'd know IYSWIM.

I like the idea of the tomato & mozzarella salad. Will have a think about the salmon and fennel.

Thanks

bruschettas? lightly brush french bread slices with olive oil, toast very lightly, then add tomatoes and basil leaves mixed.

or how about a veg/mushroom or tuna pate served on oatcakes?

can you not just do a few canapes? then folk can pick and choose what they can/can't eat. Can be easily done beforehand, and no-one really needs a proper starter with all the chirstmas dinner/pud/cake/cheese and biscuits

prawn cocktail? or do prawns count as shellfish? you could do it anyway and leave the prawns off for the pg person, and replace with something she'd prefer instead

...with lots of lovely buttery brown bread...

I'm almost organised for xmas!!

Vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber, celery & some dips?

Don't do a starter! You've got enough on your plate already.

How about handing round some bruschetta, olives and veggie canapes with drinks? Although even some of those will require oven space.

Really can't think of anything else that fits all your criteria.