One of the best Christmas starters is hot smoked salmon pate. This incredibly delicious spread melts onto toasted bread and offers a velvety finish. The smoky flavour is just what the festive season calls for. This dish is a festive favourite that is sure to please the whole family.
The most important thing to remember when making a starter is that it should complement the main course, but it should not overpower it. A starter should be filling, but not so heavy that it overwhelms the meat. This collection of festive starter recipes features elegant salads and warming soups, including a Stilton and chicory salad and beetroot cured salmon pate.
Another starter that works well as a Christmas starter is the crayfish roll. This starter is simple to prepare and makes a festive statement. It can be made with shop-bought prawn cocktail and brioche buns and is packed with cheese, meat, and fruit. You can serve it with a dipping sauce or on its own.
Smoked haddock tart is another popular option for Christmas dinner. It’s a great starter that can be prepared in advance and served with rocket salad. This tart can even be eaten on Boxing Day if you don’t want to waste the leftover turkey and potatoes! This light starter will be a welcome change from the traditional turkey and potatoes.
To make this appetizer even more delicious, you can serve it with a touch of curry. It can be served with crackers or bread slices and is an ideal appetizer or a light snack at the dinner table. If you don’t have crackers, you can use crispy radish slices instead. You can also top it with smoked salmon or capers. Another one-bite appetizer is mini cheese balls. These delicious bite-size appetizers can be rolled in your favorite toppings and served with rye crisps or crackers. Another tangy option is oysters. If you buy pre-shucked oysters, you won’t have to worry about using oyster knives and preparing them. You can also serve them with a jalapeno dipping sauce.
A delicious starter for Christmas dinner can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish to make it. A classic starter, chicken liver pate, can be made with unused chicken livers. You can even make this recipe using shrimp shells if you want to save money. Make this dish a day or two before Christmas to save time, but don’t forget to reheat it just before serving. It tastes just as good as it did the day it was made.
Another classic starter is a terrine. This tart and tangy cheesy spread is a delicious way to welcome guests during the holiday season. A terrine can be made ahead and served with crackers and a salad or bread for dipping.
