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Festive Christmas Starters by James Stewart
FESTIVE CHRISTMAS COOKING
Are you Looking for festive Christmas starters for your Christmas dinner? Christmas is a time for celebrations, for being with and entertaining family and friends and sharing the best food and treats. Christmas is also about giving and one way of giving is by organising and choosing great food. In this article we have chosen recipes that will serve up to eight people. All quantities can be halved or doubled up.
We have tried to keep the recipes simple, tasty and colourful. Where possible prepare as much as you can in advance, this way you can finish off or reheat on the day. Don’t be too afraid to delegate some family members or friends to assist in the kitchen, this should ensure time to enjoy their company.
So let us get cracking with Christmas starters.
Christmas first course #1: warm shrimp salad with spicy marinade. (Serves 
The ingredients in this recipe can be prepared in advance. if you do this recipe this way, be sure to cook the shrimp and bacon just before serving, spoon over the salad and serve with the spicy marinade.
Ingredients:
8 oz large cooked shelled shrimp
8 oz smoked lean bacon chopped
mixed lettuce leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
For the spicy marinade:
1 garlic clove, crushed
zest of one lemon
1tbsp lemon juice
4tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp chilli paste, or a large pinch of dried chilli flakes
1 tbsp light soy sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
Method:
In a glass bowl, mix the shrimp with the garlic, lemon zest and juice, 3 tbsp of the olive oil, the chilli paste and soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and let mixture marinate for one hour.
Gently cook the bacon in the remaining oil until crisp. Drain on kitchen paper.
Wash and dry the lettuce, tear the leaves into rough pieces and arrange on individual plates or bowls.
Just before serving, place the shrimp together with marinade into a large frying pan and bring to the boil, add the bacon and cook for one minute. Spoon over the lettuce leaves and sprinkle with chopped chives.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Christmas first course #2: Roquefort Tartlets.
These tartlets can be made in ramekins as a first course, or in mini pie tins, to serve warm as a bite-sized snack with drinks before a meal.
This recipe makes 12 Tartlets
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
large pinch of salt
½ cup butter
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp cold water
For the Filling:
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
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