When it comes to starters and desserts, make Christmas easier for yourself with impressive dishes that you can make ahead of the day itself. Whether you're going Nordic with a dill-cured side of salmon, you're keeping it classic with a traditional prawn cocktail or you're seeking a punchy salad to kick off proceedings, these are easy Christmas starter recipes to help inspire you.
Prawns on buttered Pumpernickel Toast from The Little Swedish Kitchen by Rachel Khoo
Make it a Scandi-inspired start to your Christmas with Rachel Khoo's delightfully simple Prawns on buttered Pumpernickel Toast from the winter recipes section in The Little Swedish Kitchen. It's the perfect easy starter to rustle up when your guests arrive.
Spicy Beetroot, Leek and Walnut Salad from Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi
Go big on flavour with Ottolenghi's Spicy Beetroot, Leek and Walnut Salad from Jerusalem. This is a vibrant, winter salad with a kick of chilli and pop of pomegranate to get the taste buds going.
Crab and Herb Blinis with Pickled Fennel Herb Salad from Simple Comforts by Mary Berry
These beautifully delicate blinis are flavoured with dill and chives and provide a great base for fresh crab, spiked with lemon, horseradish and parsley. Serve with a sharp fennel salad to cut through the richness of the shellfish.
Order a copy of Mary's Simple Comforts here.
Rustic Smoked Trout and Anchovy Pâté from Simple Comforts by Mary Berry
"Quick and easy to prepare, this pâté is delicious served with hot toast and makes a lovely starter", says Mary of this comforting sharing dish. You can find smoked trout in most supermarkets these days. Pair with pickled beetroot if you like.
Order a copy of Mary's Simple Comforts here.
Dill-cured Salmon Gravlax from My Kitchen Table: 100 Fish and Seafood Recipes by Rick Stein
Rick Stein's Dill-cured Salmon Gravlax from My Kitchen Table is deceptively easy to prepare. A cured salmon recipe with a thick crust of dill and peppercorns, this Christmas starter looks incredibly appetising when sliced and served with mustard and horseradish sauce.
Buy My Kitchen Table: 100 Fish and Seafood Recipes here.
Prawn Cocktail from Simon Hopkinson Cooks by Simon Hopkinson
A Christmas classic, you can't go wrong with a retro Prawn Cocktail. With homemade mayonnaise and a dash of cognac, this recipe from Simon Hopkinson Cooks is a true favourite.
Buy Simon Hopkinson Cooks here.
Mackerel Paté from Tom Aikens: Easy by Tom Aikens
With hints of horseradish, lemon, paprika and dill, this Mackerel Paté from Tom Aikens: Easy is perfect on toasted sourdough bread. A great starter to make ahead, so you don't have to rush on the big day.
Smoked Salmon & Chive Potato Pancakes from The Good Cook by Simon Hopkinson
These stunning Smoked Salmon & Chive Potato Pancakes from Simon Hopkinson's The Good Cook are served up with horseradish cream for an impressive Christmas Day starter.
French Onion Soup from Classic by Mary Berry
Mary Berry’s French Onion Soup from Classic combines sweet, caramelised onions with rich and punchy mustardy Gruyère cheese croûtes for a sumptuous soup guaranteed to impress.
