SVA Forum

vpa-ni · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:10 pm Post subject: Christmas starters

Looking for inspiration for my christmas table!!

Has anyone any nice recipies or ideas for starters for christmas day.

This year I will be having 10 for dinner (9 adults/1 grandchild) and would like a change from the normal fruit cocktail type starter.

Any ideas greatly welcomed!

_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

janet · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Heather

I've done in the past few years (just for our family of 4):
Baxter's Lobster Bisque soup and prawn & cream garnish - with either bread roll or grissini
Smoked salmon slices with lemon and lime
Smoked salmon on warmed blinis with pesto cream cheese
Bought Crousades with added smoked salmon pate
Iceland's mini fish & chip cones with sliced lemon

You'll see there's a common thread here - seafood and dead easy and a bit whacky.

We now have a fabulous Indian snack & sweet centre in our local high street so I'm thinking of smoked salmon on onion bhajis for this year!
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Janet

Laura1 · Star Poster Joined: 19 May 2011 Posts: 131

Oooh I shall be watching this topic closely!
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Laura :)
virtual receptionist | virtual assistant see more

Petra · Joined: 23 Jun 2011 Posts: 16

My father-in-law's favourite Christmas starter that he makes most years is scallops and black pudding. I don't like either of the ingredients, but the rest of the family seem quite enthusiastic about it each year. :-)

caroline · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:00 pm Post subject:

Actually Janet's nicked some of mine...

Oatcakes with cream cheese, drizzled with sweet chilli sauce and scattered with fresh chopped corriander
Sweet potato, sweetcorn and fresh chilli soup
Coquille St Jacques with gruyere

Except this year I am being lazy and we're all having takeaway - hurrah!!!
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amber_missy · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:44 pm Post subject:

We don't really "do" Xmas - if we ever have a little one (or ones?), then we will start again so they don't miss out, but until then, it'll probably be like last year... A cup of tea, with oven-pizzas in front of the fire and a good geeky DVD! :)

janet · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:22 pm Post subject:

ooh, I like the oatcakes idea Caroline! Thanks! I am now gluten-free but you can get GF Nairns Oatcakes (well, at least you can in my Mum's Co-op).

By the way, I've just tried starting a new topic bringing this article to the attention of you all

http://www.openforum.com/articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-hiring-a-virtual-assistant

but the message has failed twice.

???
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Janet

vpa-ni · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject:

I think I am going to invite myself to Janets table this year!! Mind you Janet - you saw my waistline when you were over last year - you know I enjoy my food!

I have been watching Masterchef the Professionals - so of course I think I can cook like that! I think I will have to get the cookbooks out of the cupboard and dust them down.

Keep the suggestions coming - they are great!!
_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

janet · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject:

Heather, I weighed myself yesterday for the first time in a month and I was the heaviest I've ever been...I ought to go to Pilates tonight but it's so cold and dark and damp and windy and my bike has a puncture..what a wimp!

I am a very reluctant cook so I'm very chuffed that you like my suggestions. I have a very old Hostess Tray (4 compartments and a slim drawer) which I only seem to use on Christmas Day but it's a life-saver in trying to have everything hot at the same time. I obviously never fully got over failing my mock O level cookery exam!!! Masterchef - gosh, it's unbelievable (though the portions aren't very generous, are they?!)

Whatever you eat, have a great Christmas, Heather and all. I'm stopping work at lunchtime on Friday and having a posh tea in town with friends (one a VA, one an ex-VA) and then a long holiday till 2 January inclusive. I can hardly wait as I didn't take as much time off this year as previously.

Thanks to all on SVA for another great year knowing you all and being in touch on various issues.

Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and (hopefully a bit) prosperous New Year!
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Janet

vpa-ni · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks Janet - lucky for some - I am working right up until the wire.

Have a great Christmas and Happy new Year

_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

jackie · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:

Coming a bit late to this, but I am cooking this year for the first time in ages. Someone else is going to do me a soup - Chris's sister makes soup out of anything and everything and succeeds 99% of the time!

I think I'll also dust off my bottle of banana liqueur and buy some melon and dunk it in that for a few hours - tastes lovely! It also means that if the melon is a bit tasteless, as it so often can be!, then it isn't anymore!!! LOL

janet · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 3:31 pm Post subject:

Sounds good, Jackie!

So Heather, what did you finally do for your Christmas Day starters?!
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Janet