does anyone have any suggestions for a christmas starter?

[secretgardin]

we've always had christmas day to ourselvelves, but this year my sil and hubby are coming over for dinner as her son is in ghana. i would love to do a starter that is a bit different and special, but foolproof and will make me look like the culinary genius...that i am not. my mind is stuck on the usual prawn coctail, deep fried brie or salmon. help!

filo prawns and sweet chilli dip

Buy some puff pastry rounds (you can get ones that are pre cut) score a slightly smaller circle inside using a knife and a glass (or similar). In the inner bit put some goat's cheese slices, cherry tomatoes and rocket. Brush the outer ring with beaten egg wash, and then pop under the grill until the puff pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melting. Voila!

Have a practice run beforehand though, that would be my top top tip. Always stressful doing something for the first time when you're entertaining...

I like Delia's roasted red peppers - light, non-meaty. have one pepper per person. Cut in half, fill each half pepper with half a tomato (roughly chopped), with few snipped anchovies (capers?), torn basil leaves. Drizzle with oil. Roast for 20 mins? Serve with all the juices and foccacia bread? It's from either her summer or winter book (circa 1996!) Easy and everyone says how nice it is...

Last year (and I will do it again this year) I made a Smoked Salmon Pate which was great because you can make it a day or two before and then put into individual ramekins in the fridge and then on the day, just do some brown toast and get the pate out of the fridge - it is nice and easy

i like half a selection box as my starter on christmas day. or does that count as brunch ?

How about foie gras on toasted brioche? Everything is store bought, but fabulous and very haute cuisine.

ready steady halo?

Three fish Terrine - layers of smoked salmon, smoked mackerel & smoked trout mousse all wrapped in smoked salmon. You need a special terrine dish ideally. Making the mousses / pates is quite easy, just whizz them up in a food processor. Serve with a few salad leaves and some posh dressing.

thanks, all sounds brilliant, especially the peppers and smoked salmon pate. will test drive the recipes beforehand to pick one or might be very posh and let them select

BTW, with that Smoked Salmon Pate - I didn't use a fillet of smoked salmon like that recipe says, I just bought some sliced smoked salmon and whizzed it with the other ingredients. It was very tasty

Figs wrapped in Boursin or Philadelphia and Parma ham. Serve them with little napkins with drinks round the fire. More time for you all to sit and relax.

Starters for christmas dinner was always my job...until i moved. I used to make toasted crusty loaf with cranberry sauce and brie melted on top under the grill and serve with cherry tomatoes cut in half and two chives placed criss-cross on top. Looks really fancy, easy to make and best of all, tastes deeeelicious!