Starter options for Xmas dinner for 18

[TracyK]

Usually make bowls full of king prawn cocktail - but dneice allergies are really strong this year and they don't want to take any chances with fish.

18 adult appetites - so need something that can be bulk made easily - ie not 1001 fiddly little things - cos they just get woofed down.

But not too stodgy that they fill everyone up to much for the main course - an hour later.

terrine?

Has to be made at least 2 days in advance

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How about pate and melba toast or oatcakes

portabello mushroom, season with salt pepper and herb of choice, bit of cream cheese on top, whack in the oven till juicy. garnish with a basil leaf.

Either soup or just bread, olives and other nibbles. Anything else would be a pain.

mushroom, would take up all your oven space... scrap that!

second the soup idea!

Soup/pate/stuffed (big portabella-type) mushrooms/melon with Parma ham/Italian-style antipasto with salami, preseved artichokes, semi-dried tomatoes, chicory etc/really nice salad with blue cheese and walnuts and fab dressing/tapas/ - the possibilities are endless - tell me when to stop.

I did a fab terrine out of one of my good food mags, sliced into 8/10 but doing two would be no problem.

goats cheese and beetroot salad bit of balsamic glaze for fancy?

smoked salmon, capers black pepper with some butter Irish wheaten bread?

I agree re soup - building on ronaldino's idea beetroot soup with crumbled feta in it is gorgeous. and somehow quite christmassy

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Thanks girls - don't think soup would be a go-er - too many extra bowls to find and too much serving.
I think I'll do a nibbles selection rather than a starter.
They'll prob all arrive at 2.30 and not having dinner till 4 - so nibbles would prob tide them over while we're preparing dinner.
Was going to do crisps, selection of olives, a couple of baked camemberts and french bread and some pate and maybe a stack of wee sausages.