londoneye Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Does anyone have any good ideas (simple ones please !!) for a christmas dinner starter. I don't normally bother, but since we are having guests this year I suppose I had better stretch my meagre talents to try for a starter.Not really sure what the 'norm' is to be honest, I would have thought something not too heavy would be best. Any thoughts/tried and tested (idiot-proof) ideas ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suandpete Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Round here it would be foie gras or oysters. Both pretty straightforward, just serve the foie gras with some brioche and some sort of chutney. Oysters pretty much as they are - or maybe with some lemon or tabasco..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 My personal favourite, and easy to do.Thickly slice some beef tomatos, slice up some mozarella cheese, arrange on a deep plate and sprinkle with some torn mint leaves and sea salt. Then a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.Delicious....................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morse98 Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I'm with you on that one Bugbear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemonimo Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 One of my favourites too, Bugbear but at this time of the year tomatoes taste of nothing and possibly leave a carbon footprint. Personally, I'd have oysters AND foie gras with toasted pain d'épices and a petit Montbazillac.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 [quote user="Gemonimo"]........................... tomatoes taste of nothing and possibly leave a carbon footprint. [/quote]Not if you take their shoes off.........................[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morse98 Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 [:D][:D][:D]Thanks for that Bugbear it gives me something to laugh about as.... that's me out of here, have to go poo pick now,yummy!!![+o(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterG Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Round here.............., a good hour in the pub.............. is usually a good starter for Christmas Dinner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normandie Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I like a simple but tasty, cold, fresh starter ... that can be prepared in advance:Bit 'retro' but as I'm a veg - egg mayonaise for me on a bed of fresh shredded lettuce/salad with a sprinkle of paprika over the mayoand prawn cocktail for the others and if you make more than's needed people have a choice and they can always be eaten later/next day if not all used. mmmm ... must go and get some dinner together ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memb Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 [quote user="londoneye"]Does anyone have any good ideas (simple ones please !!) for a christmas dinner starter. I don't normally bother, but since we are having guests this year I suppose I had better stretch my meagre talents to try for a starter.Not really sure what the 'norm' is to be honest, I would have thought something not too heavy would be best. Any thoughts/tried and tested (idiot-proof) ideas ??[/quote]Have a look on the Recipe Starters-Main-Dessert thread, sure you will see a simple one to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Home made pate - can be made in advance. Cheap. Quick. Serve with cheese biscuits if you don't want to fuss around with toast.Chicken livers fried in pan with garlic, onions (must be softened enough) with a dash of sherry and then chuck into mixer. Takes 15 mins in total. Into fridge for up to a couple of days. Job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 If you really want something easy, smoked salmon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie girl Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 That seems nice and easy Cathy, do you want to put it on the recipe thread so others can see it. Think i`ll try it at the weekend [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoneye Posted December 12, 2007 Author Share Posted December 12, 2007 Afraid I don't like oysters or foie (sp ) gras - bu**er (and no thats not butter) the guests! I love tomatoes though fear that they will not be of the high standard to accompany my other delicious dishes (yeah right). Hmmm - keep them coming please, as I am sincerely a terrible cook, with no skills in that area whatsoever.Actually I have a terrible confession to make. After serious trauma I did make the mincemeat recipe for mince pies.and although it doesnt look too good it tastes not bad at all. However, the problem is that the only jar I had available was an old pickled onion jar, and even I can just taste the faintest aroma of pickled onion when I tried it today. OK working on that's how bad I am - keep them ideas coming !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgeman Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 How about Lobster I think Lidl's will be doing them again this year (frozen) after defrosting cut them in half lenth wise couple of dabs of butter under grill for a couple of min's, you only need half each with some garlic or plain mayo on the side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suze01 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 If you go to any of the big supermarkets they will have a 'traiteur' (caterer) brochure of festive 'ready meals' that you could get some ideas from or just order from there - why not, you don't want to be in the kitchen all day.I haven't decided what I'll do for a starter yet. Maybe a seafood selection with smoked salmon, gambas, oysters etc. with beef Wellington to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suandpete Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 We're going to have Beef wellington as well - have you made it here before? If so, what cut of beef did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Sliced fillet of lamb (about 3 slices per person) sitting on a bed of rocket and chopped orange, a few mange tout poking out from underneath. Drizzle over a dressing made from olive oil, orange juice and raspberry vinegar. I served that one year and it went down very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suze01 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 [quote user="Suandpete"] We're going to have Beef wellington as well - have you made it here before? If so, what cut of beef did you use?[/quote]I've made it dozens of times. One of my regular special dishes. Always use the best cut of fillet you can find. I ask the butcher for the thickest end of the fillet. It's a good idea to order from your butcher in advance as if you leave it too late there won't be any available. I also make individual ones with a single thick slice of fillet if it's just for two of us. I sauté some chopped mushrooms and flambé them in brandy to mix in with the paté to go around the meat before wrapping it in puff pastry. Seal the meat in a frying pan first and once wrapped up in the pastry bake in a moderately hot oven so that the pastry is cooked and golden but the meat is still rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 [quote user="PeterG"]Round here.............., a good hour in the pub.............. is usually a good starter for Christmas Dinner[/quote]Spoken like a true northerner.....[:D]Are you related to my husband ??[blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I like smoked salmon laid flat lay spinach leaves on top them spread thickly with cream cheese, roll the salmon into a fat cigar shape, and cut into half inch rolls , stand on the end so you can see the pink green white stripes give each person four , set nicly on the plate , drizzle with balsamic and chopped basil leaves and serve with brown bread and butter , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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