Features
by Malou Herkes
published on 12 December 2023
When it comes to starters anddesserts, you can make Christmas easier for yourself with impressive, make-ahead dishes or simple appetisers that come together in a matter of minutes.
Whether you’re going Nordic with a dill-cured side of salmon, keeping it classic with a traditional prawn co*cktail, or want a foolproof air fryer recipe to free up oven space, this collection of easy Christmas starter recipes will help inspire you.
Mary Berry’s Balsamic Beetroot, Quail’s Egg and Smoked Fish Plate
by Mary Berry
from Love to Cook
A sophisticated platter of balsamic beetroot, quail’s egg, and smoked fish, this recipe from Mary Berry can be assembled up to six hours ahead, and dressed before serving.
From the book
Love to Cook
Mary Berry
Love to Cook
120 recipes from the nation’s favourite cook
Featuring all of the recipes from the accompanying BBC2 series
Celebrating fuss-free cooking and the ingredients and flavours Mary loves
Air Fryer Goat’s Cheese and Caramelised Onion Tarts
by Clare Andrews
from The Ultimate Air-Fryer Cookbook
Using a just a handful of store-bought ingredients, these mini tarts make a great vegetarian starter and come together in mere minutes in the air fryer.
Prawns on Pumpernickel Toast (Pumpernickel toast skagen)
by Rachel Khoo
from The Little Swedish Kitchen
Make ita Scandi-style start to your Christmas meal with Rachel Khoo’s delightfully simple prawns on buttered pumpernickel toastfrom The Little Swedish Kitchen. It’s the perfect starter to rustle up as your guests arrive.
Spicy Beetroot, Leek and Walnut Salad
by Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi
from Jerusalem
Go big on flavour with Ottolenghi’s spicy beetroot, leek and walnut salad from Jerusalem. This is avibrant, winter saladwitha kick of chilli and a burst of pomegranate to get the taste buds going.
Mary Berry’s Crab and Herb Blinis with Pickled Fennel Herb Salad
by Mary Berry
from Simple Comforts
These beautifully delicateblinis 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 cutthrough the richness of the shellfish.
From the book
Simple Comforts
Buy Book
Mary Berry’s Rustic Smoked Trout and Anchovy Pâté
by Mary Berry
from Simple Comforts
“Quick and easy to prepare, this pâté is delicious served with hot toast and makes a lovely starter”, says Mary of this rustic sharing dish. You can find smoked trout in most supermarkets these days.
Gravlax (Dill-cured Salmon)
by Rick Stein
from My Kitchen Table: 100 Fish and Seafood Recipes
Rick Stein’s dill-cured salmon gravlaxis deceptively easy to prepare. Acured salmon recipe with a thick crust of dill and peppercorns, this Christmas starter looks incredibly appetising when sliced and served withmustard and horseradish sauce.
Prawn co*cktail
by Simon Hopkinson
from Simon Hopkinson Cooks
A Christmas classic, you can’t go wrongwith a retro prawn co*cktail. With homemade mayonnaise and a dash of cognac, thisrecipe from Simon Hopkinson . Cooksis an all-time favourite.
Mackerel Pâté
by Tom Aikens
from Tom Aikens: Easy
With hints of horseradish, lemon, paprika and dill, this mackerel paté from Tom Aikens: Easyis particularly good served on toasted sourdough bread. A great starter to make ahead, so you don’t have to rush on the big day.
by Simon Hopkinson
from The Good Cook
These smoked salmon and chive potato pancakesfrom Simon Hopkinson’s The Good Cook are served up with horseradish cream for an impressive Christmas Day starter.
French Onion Soup
by Tim Hayward
from The DIY Cook
Mary Berry’s French onion soupfromClassiccombines sweet, caramelised onions with rich and mustardy Gruyèrecheese croûtesfor a sumptuous soup guaranteed to impress.
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