Christmas is a time when family and friends gather, sharing momentary magic around tables loaded with food. These meals appear in countless homes across the globe each year. The menus tend to be hearty, rich in tradition, but more households are exploring lighter options to balance the feasts. This collection offers healthy starters for Christmas, showcasing tasty bite-sized dishes that kick off the celebration without guilt.
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Christmas canapes: Smoked salmon with cream cheese and avocado
Christmas canapes with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado offer a creamy, savory bite that feels festive without being heavy. This combination provides protein and healthy fats, making it a satisfying start to the feast.
Christmas starters: Smoked salmon with cream cheese and avocado
Four ‘low-cost’ ideas for your Christmas dinner
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Toast four slices of bread and when cool, spread cream cheese on top.
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Arrange thin slices of avocado on the bread and add delicate ribbons of smoked salmon on top.
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Season the toast with salt and pepper, a few drops of lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil.
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Christmas starters: Shrimp canapé
You will need four slices of wholemeal bread and marinated shrimp with cream cheese, sliced sweet and sour cucumbers, and a touch of lemon juice.
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Peel half a cucumber and cut it into very thin rounds.
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In a saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, a pinch of salt, a little black pepper, dill, and a splash of sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer.
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Let the cucumber soak in the sweet-and-sour brine so it absorbs the flavors.
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Spread the toast with cream cheese, top with a layer of cucumber and a shrimp marinated in lemon.
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New Year’s Starters: Tuna Toast with Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes
For this playful toast, four slices of bread serve as a base for a layer of tomato, tuna, caramelized onions, and a hint of olive oil. The result is bright, savory, and crowd-pleasing.
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Slice onions into very thin julienne strips and cook slowly for about 30 minutes to deepen their sweetness.
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Toast the bread in the same pan until crisp and lightly golden.
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Quarter the tomatoes and remove the seeds to prevent excess moisture from seeping into the toast.
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Season the tomato juice with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil.
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Spread a spoonful of tomato on each toast, then add tuna and a small mound of caramelized onions on top.
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Christmas canapes: spinach and blue cheese croquettes
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To begin, boil spinach in salted water for about five minutes.
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Drain well to remove excess moisture, then melt butter in a pan.
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Saute the spinach in butter, sprinkle two tablespoons of flour, and stir until absorbed.
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Gradually add milk, letting the spinach absorb before adding more.
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Continue until a thick green béchamel forms. Stir in blue cheese until fully dissolved and set aside to cool.
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Shape the mixture into croquettes, dip in beaten egg and breadcrumbs.
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They can be frozen or fried in hot olive oil until crisp.
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Let them rest briefly on paper towels before serving.
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Christmas canapes: Eggplant mash toast with smoked cod
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Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Wash and dry two aubergines thoroughly.
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Trim the ends, halve lengthwise, and score the flesh with diagonal lines.
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Brush with olive oil and line a baking sheet with foil.
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Bake for about half an hour until the flesh is tender.
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Cool, peel, and place the aubergine flesh in a processor with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Process to a smooth paste.
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Lightly toast rustic bread slices, spread with the eggplant paste, and top with thin slices of smoked cod.
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Season with salt and pepper and serve as a vibrant Christmas starter.
[Citation: This article compiles simple, family-friendly starters for a light, festive Christmas menu. For variations and substitutions, see holiday recipe guides from reputable culinary resources.]