I have to say I don't generally serve a starter before Chrismas dinner. I mean, the main meal is quite enough in itself. Do you serve a starter? It seems to be a sort of tradition to serve smoked salmon in the UK.
Christmas dinner starters
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Well, I suppose we do, in that before the main meal, we’ll have all sorts of snacks and finger foods out, along with a holiday punch of some sort.
Herbaceous
Über Member
We don’t serve a starter really either. Before dinner we have a cocktail, and my parents will set out a dish of mixed nuts or cashews for nibbling on before the main course.
SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
Always fish, usually prawn cocktail which this year I’ve ordered from M&S. I’ll have to pep up the flavour by adding a dash of brandy etc, not exactly taxing 
But I couldn’t make my mind up starter wise so I decided to also order the little pots ‘Lobster, Smoked Salmon and Prawn Towers’ and a whole side of smoked salmon. The blurb even says they come in “Table presentable packaging”
The tradition seems to be I sort out the starter and about an hour before I’m going to dish up everyone decides as breakfast was filling it’s too much and we’ll have the starter later.
Often on Boxing Day before the bubble n squeak and cold cuts.
We’ve been doing that dance for years
The year I didn’t do a starter there were complaints that it didn’t feel like a proper Christmas without a prawn cocktail
Too pretty not to give them a go. It’s watercress mousse and garlic mousse in-between the layers.
They work out at £6 each which I thinks not bad value for the amount of work that’s gone into it.
Just had a look and the things I’ve ordered are sold out already. I can only guess M&S shoppers sort their Christmas stuff out pretty early!
But I couldn’t make my mind up starter wise so I decided to also order the little pots ‘Lobster, Smoked Salmon and Prawn Towers’ and a whole side of smoked salmon. The blurb even says they come in “Table presentable packaging”
The tradition seems to be I sort out the starter and about an hour before I’m going to dish up everyone decides as breakfast was filling it’s too much and we’ll have the starter later.
Often on Boxing Day before the bubble n squeak and cold cuts.
We’ve been doing that dance for years
The year I didn’t do a starter there were complaints that it didn’t feel like a proper Christmas without a prawn cocktail
Too pretty not to give them a go. It’s watercress mousse and garlic mousse in-between the layers.
They work out at £6 each which I thinks not bad value for the amount of work that’s gone into it.
Just had a look and the things I’ve ordered are sold out already. I can only guess M&S shoppers sort their Christmas stuff out pretty early!
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Always fish, usually prawn cocktail which this year I’ve ordered from M&S. I’ll have to pep up the flavour by adding a dash of brandy etc, not exactly taxing
But I couldn’t make my mind up starter wise so I decided to also order the little pots ‘Lobster, Smoked Salmon and Prawn Towers’ and a whole side of smoked salmon. The blurb even says they come in “Table presentable packaging”
The tradition seems to be I sort out the starter and about an hour before I’m going to dish up everyone decides as breakfast was filling it’s too much and we’ll have the starter later.
Often on Boxing Day before the bubble n squeak and cold cuts.
We’ve been doing that dance for years
The year I didn’t do a starter there were complaints that it didn’t feel like a proper Christmas without a prawn cocktail
View attachment 121605
Too pretty not to give them a go. It’s watercress mousse and garlic mousse in-between the layers.
They work out at £6 each which I thinks not bad value for the amount of work that’s gone into it.
Just had a look and the things I’ve ordered are sold out already. I can only guess M&S shoppers sort their Christmas stuff out pretty early!
I checked these stacks/towers out. Was expecting some mayonnaise in there but no! That suits me fine. The only thing is it says 'produced in the UK'. I think that refers to the actual assembly of them not the ingredients. Their other lobster products use Canadian lobster which has been frozen one presumes and which I've always found pretty tastelss. It would be great if they used UK seafood...
Nevertheless I may order them for a Christmas Eve treat.
SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
You never know with these things until you try them.
I really like the little pots of panna cotta from M&S. At £4.50 for two I think they’re a bit pricey, so I only have them when I have to go to the big mall in Bristol as a reward).
So I assumed Waitrose’ version at £4.75 for two would be the same or better. Nope
Can’t even say why. They use the same ingredients but they don’t hit the spot.
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Mod. Comment: Please stick to topic... lots of posts moved to new thread: Time of day for eating dinner/lunch
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We don't usually do "matched" Christmas dinner starters; ie. something that would naturally complement the main course. At a classic Venezuelan Xmas dinner, you'd have some cheese, some antipasto, some Serrano ham, maybe some grilled sausages, some tequeños - all sorts of stuff.
For a British Xmas dinner, I'd actually use a rather antiquated course called a "savoury", traditionally served after dessert. Toast with anchovy butter; angels on horseback; devilled ham toasts; scotch woodcock; pears and stilton. ALL on toast!
For a British Xmas dinner, I'd actually use a rather antiquated course called a "savoury", traditionally served after dessert. Toast with anchovy butter; angels on horseback; devilled ham toasts; scotch woodcock; pears and stilton. ALL on toast!
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If you count the Christmas chocolate or breakfast then yes we do.
But honestly, no we don't do starter's. The main course and pavlova is enough for us to eat for the next 3 or 4 days. No need to add a starter to that.
But honestly, no we don't do starter's. The main course and pavlova is enough for us to eat for the next 3 or 4 days. No need to add a starter to that.
badjak
Über Member
Dinner starter to me these days would be a nice glass of red wine.
I am not a Christmas fan, but if I were and I would do Christmas lunch/dinner and if it was easily available
I would like the old fashioned ones
-prawn cocktail
-avo ritz
-one of those puff pastry things filled with mushroom ragout
Or smoked salmon on toasted white bread
I am not a Christmas fan, but if I were and I would do Christmas lunch/dinner and if it was easily available
I would like the old fashioned ones
-prawn cocktail
-avo ritz
-one of those puff pastry things filled with mushroom ragout
Or smoked salmon on toasted white bread
SandwichShortOfAPicnic
Legendary Member
Are we talking Vol au vents?
Sounds like it.
Of course, if you could find some of those small, mouse-like mammals, then you could make vole-au-vents.
(s'alllright, I was just leaving....)
badjak
Über Member
Yep vol au vents.
You see, my description was accurate enough
You see, my description was accurate enough
Windigo
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I'm making a starter, actually two. I serve some olives, crackers and homemade hummus as an appetizer and as a starter I'm making onion chutney tarts with goat's cheese this year.