Festive starters

[gardener]

Anyone got any good ideas?

Last couple of years it has been a platter of salami, parma ham, melon etc. but I would like something different.

Has to be light and not seafood if everyone is going to eat it. Not to complicated either so I can rope in the offspring while I do the main course.

What do you all have? (If you have any at all that is). Seem to recall melon boats with ground ginger when I was a kid.

[peterd]

traditional starter

Yorkshire pudding and gravey

cos there be no place on the dinner plate for them

[Annie]

traditional starter

Yorkshire pudding and gravey

cos there be no place on the dinner plate for them

Here, Here Peterd.

Annie

[gardener]

Not often I disagree with you Pete but a) it is a bit heavy if followed by a big meal, and b) there is no room in the oven for Yorkshire puddings as well as the other stuff
Having Yorkshire pudd tonight though, with savoury mince

[Jimmy]

traditional starter

Yorkshire pudding and gravey

cos there be no place on the dinner plate for them

Get a bigger plate.

[peterd]

instead of using plain water use sparkling water, makes them lighter, if they rise shouldnt be that heavy ?

or know a mate who uses lemonade

[peterd]

traditional starter

Yorkshire pudding and gravey

cos there be no place on the dinner plate for them

Get a bigger plate.

already have the oval meat plate

[Rob]

Use sparkling water instead of plain water says Peterd!!
Is that what your mother does Peter?
Just checking before i try it myself!!

[gardener]

instead of using plain water use sparkling water, makes them lighter, if they rise shouldnt be that heavy ?

or know a mate who uses lemonade

My Yorkshire puddings are light as a feather! But when all is said and done they are meant to fill you up really whereas I am looking for something which will entice our tastebuds and pepare them for the main course

[Rob]

So typical don't you think of Northerners? They like "stodgy" food.
What about a "Russian Salad" Ms. Gardener?
Russian salad .-

Basic ingredients

1 large potato
2 eggs
1 small tin of tuna
mayonnaise
green olives (without stones)


Steps:

1. Peel the potato cut into small pieces and boil in salted water for approx 10 mins or until soft - drain and leave to cool

2. Hard boil the eggs then remove the shells and leave in cold water to cool

3. Once cooled, chop the egg and potato into small cubes place in a bowl and add the tuna

4. Chop a few green olives and add to the bowl (optional)

5. Mix all the above ingredients season with a little salt and pepper

6. Finally add 2 - 3 tbsp mayonnaise and stir into the mixture

7. Garnish with whole green olives and a sprinkle of sweet paprika.

[Northern Lass]

I can do one of those a Russian salad

I rush in
bung it in a dish
and
rush out

Ta dah! a Rushin Salad

but as an alternative to boring dated 70's food
how about.....

no starter!
just alcohol....lots of it
Champagne
and nibbles!!

[gardener]

Is that a Dutch Russian salad Rob? I've never seen it made like that before. MIght give that a go on Boxing day, thank you.

NL - I've got one kid too young to drink alcahol, and one who chooses not do (not sure where we went wrong there) so I think I'll stick to food

[Northern Lass]

Is that a Dutch Russian salad Rob? I've never seen it made like that before. MIght give that a go on Boxing day, thank you.

NL - I've got one kid too young to drink alcahol, and one who chooses not do (not sure where we went wrong there) so I think I'll stick to food

please yerself..........hic!!

[Rob]

Is that a Dutch Russian salad Rob? I've never seen it made like that before. MIght give that a go on Boxing day, thank you.

NL - I've got one kid too young to drink alcahol, and one who chooses not do (not sure where we went wrong there) so I think I'll stick to food

No Ms.Gardener it's a secret recipe exclusively passed down to me ( cos i was the eldest male grandson) by my Nan.Who legend has it worked for a Russian Count in a country house in Oxfordshire.
And it's still secret because i've left out the two ingredients that really make it Russian.
Don't ask me what they are because i am sworn to secrecy!!