Starter

[trionam]

Can anyone suggest a good starter for christmas day.Its my first year cooking for the familly and would love to impress.thanks in advance.

[smudge]

Personally, we prefer not to have a starter because we just wouldn't be able to enjoy our Christmas lunch, then Christmas pudding & my home made mince pies, with brandy butter or cream! I feel stuffed just reading that!

[ursula62]

chilled melon balls in baskets of carved orange skin - it doesn't fill you up too much and it looks wonderful.

Cut the oranges so they look like a basket with a handle and scoop out the flesh (you can use this to make smoothies with on boxing day so it doesn't get wasted).

Fill the baskets with balls of different coloured chilled melon flesh and top with a sprig of mint.

[smudge]

We used to have melon for starter too, also prawn cocktail, but everyone agreed it was too much before the main meal & then dessert.

 

(We didn't mind at all, as there are usually10 of us at the table - hence less work)!

[smudge]

P.S. Good luck on your first year cooking for the family trionam - I'm sure whatever you cook will be a great success.

[woofgang]

smoked salmon, the best you can afford, but only a little bit (about 1 to 2 small slices each) served with a wedge of lemon, the option of freshly ground black pepper and a glass of champagne.

[trionam]

thanks everyone think I will go with woofgang because I am partial to a bit of champagne, the orange baskets sound lovely but unfortunatley I am not a big melon fan.

[Litchick]

I don't even like smoked salmon but Woofgang's starter sounds delicious!

[woofgang]

Yup, I am no cook but a great food cheat!!!

[Goofy]

Avocado and Tuna Mousse
(This can be prepared the day before and left to chill in fridge.)

Serves: 4
1 Avocado peeled and chopped
185g tinned tuna fish,
1 tbsp Natural yoghurt
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 tsp Lemon juice
Pepper

Pur�e the avocado pear, then add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and extra Tabasco if liked. Pile into a dish and chill before serving.

NB Only 1 batch will fit in my processor

[smudge]

Now Avacado & Tuna is truly delicious Goofy!

[montyy]

red pepper soup with croutons:

Red Pepper Soup

1 small red pepper, chopped
� onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
145 ml water and � chicken stock cube
25ml heavy cream
Pinch black pepper

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Place pepper, onion and garlic on pan and saut� for 5 mins.
2. Boil kettle for chicken stock. Pour water into measuring jug and add � stock cube. Stir and to vegetables. Reduce heat to simmer for 30 mins.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Add cream and black pepper.

then either buy croutons or cut bread into reasonable sized cubes and fry them gently in a pan with lots o butter! careful not to burn, though!