Festive starter recipes
Set the mood for your Christmas meal with an impressive starter. We've included some make ahead ideas for small plates to take the pressure off on the day.
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Smoked salmon with prawns, horseradish cream & lime vinaigrette
- Ready in 20 mins
This stunning starter can be assembled ahead, then topped with dressed leaves just before serving
75
ratings
Easy
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Walnut & Stilton orzotto with roasted squash & Port sauce
By
- Ready in 2 hrs 40 mins
MasterChef finalist, Alex Rushmer, shows us how to create a show-stopping vegetarian starter for the festive season
2
ratings
For The Keen Cook
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Spiced home-cured salmon
- Ready in 30 mins
Ever the versatile fish, this fresh, no-cook salmon starter can be made a few days ahead
0
ratings
Easy
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Ceviche
- Ready in 1 hr 20 mins
If you're entertaining this year, do it with gusto, says Matt Tebutt. He starts his festive meals with this classic dish
0
ratings
Easy
-
Cinnamon & star anise cured salmon
- Ready in 24 hrs 10 mins
Gordon Ramsay's simple recipe for curing salmon can be used for festive canapés and starters
1
rating
Easy
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Creamy smoked salmon, leek & potato soup
By
- Ready in 40 mins
Creamy and low-fat aren't words you often hear together, but that's exactly what you get with this freeze-ahead starter
22
ratings
Easy
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Clementine, feta & winter leaf salad
By
- Ready in 20 mins
This wonderfully light salad is packed with easy-to-find seasonal ingredients and makes a great Christmas starter
4
ratings
Easy
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Smoked salmon soufflés
- Ready in 1 hr
These non-scary, freezer-friendly soufflés can be baked ahead, then reheated in the oven before serving
23
ratings
Easy
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Black olive & goat's cheese tartlets
- Ready in 40 mins
Stylish veggie bite-sized treats for a posh party
4
ratings
Easy
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Stuffed mushroom bruschettas
- Ready in 45 mins
The big mushrooms cook to a moist meatiness under their cloak of peppers and melting goat’s cheese, a veggie dish anyone will enjoy.
7
ratings
Easy
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Honeyed winter salad
- Ready in 40 mins
Bring summer to winter with this fresh salad - it contains 3 of your 5-a-day too
25
ratings
Easy
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Make-ahead mushroom soufflés
- Ready in 45 mins
A soufflé to start always gives your dinner party a 'wow' factor and this make-ahead recipe gives you more time to be the perfect host
20
ratings
Easy
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Grilled goat's cheese with cranberry dressing
- Ready in 20 mins
A smart veggie starter that will impress even the biggest foodie at your dinner table
15
ratings
Easy
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Smoked salmon with beetroot & vodka crème fraîche
- Ready in 15 mins
A hit of vodka gives this classic a new edge. Serve with a shot of vodka for full effect
28
ratings
Easy
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Lobster with Thermidor butter
- Ready in 30 mins
A luxury that has been prized by chefs for years, so make the most of it with this cheat's classic
11
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Duck & pork terrine with cranberries & pistachios
- Ready in 3 hrs
Set aside a couple of hours and enjoy every minute of making this impressive terrine
14
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Pear, date & walnut salad with creamy Stilton dressing
- Ready in 30 mins
Gary Rhodes' perfect starter for a Boxing day lunch, made with lots of leftovers from the day before
5
ratings
Easy
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Salmon & prawns with dill & lime aïoli
By
- Ready in 15 mins
For a simple, smart starter, just mix mayo with garlic, herbs and a squeeze of lime and serve with seafood and brown bread
6
ratings
Easy
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Smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraîche & beetroot
By
- Ready in 25 mins
This speedy salad can be whipped up as an impressive starter - the fish is completely lifted by contrasting flavours
3
ratings
Easy
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Prawn & lobster cocktail
- Ready in 20 mins
This updated classic uses a combination of big meaty prawns and smaller sweeter ones for texture and flavour, with the addition of lobster for extra luxuriousness
1
rating
Easy
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Baked goat’s cheese with hazelnut crust & balsamic onions
By
- Ready in 55 mins
This simple breaded cheese can be made ahead and frozen, ready to use as a starter for a dinner party with friends
2
ratings
Easy
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Prawn & fennel bisque
- Ready in 1 hr 25 mins
A luxurious seafood soup that is rich in flavour, perfect for formal entertaining and low in calories too
13
ratings
Easy
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Roast pumpkin with cream, thyme & Parmesan
By
- Ready in 1 hr 55 mins
This impressive-looking dish makes a wonderful starter for a dinner party
11
ratings
Easy
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Game terrine
- Ready in 2 hrs
John Torode shows how to prepare classic coarse set terrine with duck and mixed game of your choice
1
rating
Moderately Easy
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Whipped Brie salad with dates & candied walnuts
By
- Ready in 25 mins
This sumptuous salad is perfect for a group starter and can be whipped up the night before
4
ratings
Easy
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Melting cheese with poppy & apricot bread wreath
By
- Ready in 1 hr 25 mins
Baked Camembert just got a whole lot better - try home baking a decorative ring and tear off chunks to dunk like fondue
1
rating
Easy
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Sharing potted shrimp
By
- Ready in 5 mins
Potting shellfish in a cayenne and mace-flavoured butter is a surprisingly simple fish starter that's great as part of a sharing platter
1
rating
Easy
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Dressed crab cups
By
- Ready in 5 mins
A simple, stylish canapé of shellfish with Dijon mustard and lemon, served in individual lettuce cups
0
ratings
Easy
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Scandi smoked salmon
By
- Ready in 10 mins
Try a Scandinavian approach to your smoked fish by adding dill, horseradish, lemon and red onion - great as part of a sharing platter
1
rating
Easy
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Chipolatas wrapped in sage & pancetta
By
- Ready in 30 mins
Update festive favourite trimming pigs-in-blankets by covering sausages in Italian bacon and herb
0
ratings
Easy
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