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Christmas is just around the corner, and with the festivities comes the question: What should I serve as an appetizer? Glasses are the perfect solution here. They look elegant, are easy to prepare and have a wow effect. Whether you're a fish lover, a vegetarian or a fan of tasty combinations - here you'll find four creative ideas that will delight your guests. The starters can also be easily prepared the day before if you keep a few points in mind. More about each recipe!
1. Avocado mousse with smoked salmon and cream
The starter impresses with layers of creamy avocado mousse, smoked salmon, cream and a topping of fresh herbs such as chives or parsley. She iselegantly served in a tall glass, often garnished with lemon slices or a sprig of herbs.
Ingredients:
- Avocado (reif)
- lemon juice
- Cream cheese or sour cream
- Smoked salmon
- Scene
- Fresh herbs (e.g. dill or chives)
- Salt & Pepper
Preparation:
- Puree the avocado with lemon juice, add salt and pepper.
- Pour the avocado mousse into the glass as the first layer.
- Place a layer of finely chopped smoked salmon on top.
- Carefully pour in cream cheese or whipped cream as the next layer.
- Garnish with a small piece of smoked salmon, a sprig of dill and a squeeze of lemon.
Prepare the day before
Prepare the avocado mousse, add a little more lemon juice and store in an airtight container to prevent browning. Fill the glasses just before serving.
2. Surimi crab sticks with cucumber and corn, yogurt dressing
This fresh starter brings color to the glass. Surimi, cucumber and corn are cut into even cubes and combined with a light yogurt dressing.
Ingredients:
- Surimi sticks (crab sticks)
- Fresh cucumber
- Canned corn
- Natural yogurt
- lemon juice
- Salt & Pepper
Preparation:
- Cut surimi, cucumber and corn into small cubes.
- Season natural yogurt with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Either: Add the ingredients into the glass in layers: first surimi, then cucumber, then corn. Carefully spread the dressing over the top and garnish.
- Alternatively: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with the yoghurt dressing and pour the mixture into the glass. Decorate with fresh herbs or paprika powder.
cutting deviceslike the Nicer Dicer here on Amazonare ideal for quickly and evenly cutting ingredients such as cucumbers, beetroot, surimi or avocado into perfect cubes - this saves time and ensures a clean, professional result that is particularly visually appealing in starter glasses.
Prepare the day before
Pre-cut the ingredients the day before and keep them separate. You can also prepare the yogurt dressing and store it separately. The layering in the jar can be done the evening before,without the dressing. Pour the dressing fresh on the day of serving to keep the cucumber crunchy.
3. Beetroot with smoked salmon and dill sauce or with herring and avocado
Beetroot gives the starter a strong color. Combined with smoked salmon and a creamy dill sauce or herring and avocado, a harmonious taste is created.
Variant 1 – With smoked salmon:
Ingredients: Cooked beetroot, smoked salmon, dill, crème fraîche or sour cream, lemon juice.
preparation:
- Cut the beetroot into small cubes.
- Add a layer of beetroot to the glass.
- Cut smoked salmon into pieces and place on top.
- Garnish with dill sauce (crème fraîche + dill + lemon juice).
Variant 2 – With herring and avocado:
Ingredients: Cooked beetroot, herring, avocado, dill.
preparation:
- Cut the beetroot into cubes and use as the first layer.
- Cut the herring into small pieces and spread on top.
- Add an avocado cream made from pureed avocado, lemon juice and salt.
- Finish with fresh dill.
Prepare the day before
The beetroot can alreadypre-cutand stored in the refrigerator.Smoked salmonorHeringKeeps easily in the fridge for a night. The dill sauce is easy to prepare; It is better to prepare the avocado cubes on the day itself. Do not finish filling the glasses until the day of serving to preserve the freshness of the ingredients.
4. Vegetarian with quinoa, cucumbers and radishes
This light, vegetarian appetizer combines healthy quinoa with fresh cucumber and radish slices. It is rounded off with dill and a light dressing.
Ingredients:
- Quinoa (cooked and cooled)
- Fresh cucumbers
- radish
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- Dill
- Salt & Pepper
Preparation:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions and allow to cool.
- Cut cucumbers and radishes into thin slices or cubes.
- Add the quinoa to the glass as the first layer.
- Layer cucumbers and radishes alternately on top.
- Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Use dill sprigs as a garnish.
Prepare the day before
Cook the quinoa the day before and store it covered in the refrigerator. You can also pre-cut the cucumbers and radishes, but store them separately. Add the dressing just before serving to keep the ingredients crunchy.
Summary: What makes these appetizers so special?
- Quick and easy:The appetizers are ready in less than 20 minutes.
- Visually appealing:The color contrasts in glasses make them an eye-catcher.
- Healthy and light:Perfect for the festive Christmas menu.
These appetizers are not only easy to prepare, but also look particularly stylish in a glass. With these ideas you are guaranteed to make an impression and offer guests something special!