Make-ahead Christmas starters

Need a festive head-start? Don’t we all. Here’s our round-up of make-ahead Christmas starters – from classic salmon blinis, to soups and lighter salads. You can make some days in advance, or part-make some the night before. On your marks, get set…

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Giant prawn cocktail

Giant prawn cocktail

Go large this Christmas with a giant prawn cocktail that feeds a crowd. Layer a...

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Individual smoked salmon terrines for Christmas

Individual smoked salmon terrines for Christmas

After a classic smoked salmon starter? Make these easy to prepare individual smoked salmon terrines...

Freezable Gluten-free
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Speedy mackerel pâté

Speedy mackerel pâté

Find out how to make smoked mackerel pâté with our quick-fix recipe. It would  make...

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Cornish gouda with sourdough and rocket

Cornish gouda with sourdough and rocket

A cheese course is a special treat at Christmas but if you fancy something different...

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Gravadlax with soda bread and horseradish cream

Gravadlax with soda bread and horseradish cream

Jack Stein’s version of this classic gravadlax with soda bread recipe from Scandinavia is a...

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Potted duck with pistachio

Potted duck with pistachio

This pimped potted duck starter is easy to make ahead of time and will lend...

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Beetroot-cured salmon with watercress

Beetroot-cured salmon with watercress

This colourful Christmas starter uses beetroot and colourful citrus zest to produce a beetroot-cured salmon...

Gluten-free
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Devilled eggs

Devilled eggs

The ultimate Christmas party food, devilled eggs are about as moreish as canapés get. Popular,...

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Smoked haddock scotch eggs with lemon mayo

Smoked haddock scotch eggs with lemon mayo

”I’m not sure why, but using haddock instead of sausagemeat makes these scotch eggs feel...

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Classic prawn cocktail

Classic prawn cocktail

Make our classic prawn cocktail when you want to whip up a starter in just...

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Pork and rabbit rillettes

Pork and rabbit rillettes

David Everitt-Matthias – head chef at Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham – shares his recipe...

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Duck, pork belly and green olive terrine

Duck, pork belly and green olive terrine

Henry Harris’ duck terrine recipe is a great starter for Christmas or, indeed, a swish...

Make-ahead
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Mackerel pâté with quick-pickled radishes and spelt

Mackerel pâté with quick-pickled radishes and spelt

Homemade mackerel paté is an easy but impressive starter, that takes very little time to...

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Ham hock terrine

Ham hock terrine

This stunning terrine is a great way to use up leftover Boxing Day ham, as...

Make-ahead
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Venison terrine with prunes, orange, juniper and thyme

Venison terrine with prunes, orange, juniper and thyme

Gill Meller’s venison terrine, flavoured with orange zest and sweet prunes, makes a tasty starter...

Dairy-free
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Anchovy rarebit

Anchovy rarebit

Lucas Hollweg recommends eating this rarebit just as it is or posh it up on...

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