Starter for Christmas Day...Ideas??

merlotgran

There was a young seagull called Rasta
Who chased kids to make them run fasta
So they threw him a chip
It got caught in his beak lip
And he now eats smoked salmon with pasta.

I have one from the Christmas before last - do you think the seagulls would like smoked salmon?

I've still got two packs of smoked salmon in the freezer if anyone's interested.

It's never too soon to start planning.
After all, it's nearly time to put the sprouts on

I did wonder who on earth would want to be bothered with this in January...

Soutra I think you might be stretching the truth there.

I like a nice salad of "Spam, spam, spam, spam��"

Some grans like to plan ahead!

It's the end of January. Stop it!

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A couple of years ago we had guests for drinks in the morning as well as house guests. The morning drinks continued into the afternoon and early evening and we all ate so many canapés and bits and pieces that we abandoned the goose destined for Christmas dinner that evening and I cooked it on Boxing Day instead.

As far as the starter is concerned, I think I made either smoked salmon mousse or chicken liver pâté with Marsala – both of which would have kept until our belated Christmas dinner. Whichever wasn't the starter was eaten as part of the day-long nibbling on Christmas Day.

Some nice thin soft brown bread with a little smoked salmon and sour cream just gets us ready for the bird, helped along by a glass or two of chilled bubbles.

When we ran pubs we loved Christmas Day lunch as we were only open for two hours but the place was packed and the atmosphere was great. We used to clear up then have Christmas lunch with family but we never opened in the evening.

Large prawns, marinated for a while in lime juice and chilli, on cocktail sticks with cubes of mango. Not a starter really but great as a pre dinner nibble. Yummmmm!

Cannot imagine any of mine SNEAKING off to the pub, there is too much too do and we ALL LOVE getting stuck in and making the day enjoyable for one and all.

If any of my lot sneak off to the pub they'll get more than leek and potato soup when they get back!

Smoked salmon filled with soft cheese of various varieties served with a light leaf salad & lemon wedges and for the cold & hearty who venture to the pub they also have a choice of leek & potato soup if they want it when they get back indoors.

A champagne cocktail or two if dinner is late.

I could not manage a starter myself! For those who do like one,I would suggest mixed melon balls or tiny toasted canapes.

I'm now leaning towards a recipe I saw in the Morrison's food magazine - Smoked Salmon and Avocado Shots ...

120g smoked salmon
150g cream cheese (light if you prefer)
2 tbsp fresh dill chopped plus extra for garnish
3 ripe avos (small) or 2 larger ones
Juice of 1 lemon

Breadsticks

Serves 8 as a starter

Snip salmon into tiny pieces and place in mixing bowl with half the creme fraiche, and the cream cheese. Season to taste and divide in shot glasses or serving glasses. Blitz remaining creme fraiche with (hopefully you can find) ripe avo and lemon juice and spoon on top of each salmon shot, and top with dill. Chill (the starter, not you!)

Serve with breadsticks.

Wasn't going to do a starter but you've all got my mouth watering! Think I would prefer a starter and pud and miss the bit in the middle!

Salmon Horns with salad.

It's just smoked salmon wrapped prawn cocktail.

These can be made the day before and finished in the microwave or oven on the day, with or without dips.
mylastbite.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/bacon-wrapped-breadsticks/

Crab and prawns cocktail for those of us who like seafood and a pate for those of us who don't