In less than 2 weeks the time has finally come – the holidays are just around the corner! Mulled wine, lots of cookies, crispy duck, etc. – for us, Christmas is a celebration of love and culinary delights. As hobby chefs, we love to spoil our loved ones with a variety of delicacies and to experiment in the kitchen. But at Christmas it can be something very special and this year we would like to take more time for Christmas dinner. The main meal and dessert have already been decided? Great! But what about the starters for the Christmas menu? Crunchy salads, salmon tartare, crostini or a festive soup – a delicious starter will immediately make you want more and whet your appetite for the main course. Would you also like to amaze your guests and make their eyes shine? Then you should definitely read on and remember our Christmas appetizer recipes! Have fun cooking and enjoy it!
Every year we can hardly wait for the holidays and are already looking forward to Christmas dinner with our family and friends! Whether it's a typical German Christmas meal or something unusual - a festive dinner creates the perfect festive atmosphere. A few recipes forWinter dessert in a glassWe've already shown you, but if you want to treat everyone to a special 3-course Christmas menu, then you'll love our recipes for cold Christmas starters.
Recipe for salmon tartare with avocado and beetroot
A Christmas dinner without salmon? We can't even imagine! Quick to make, super delicious and wonderfully refreshing – this salmon tartare with avocado is undoubtedly one of the tastiest starters for the Christmas menu!
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 230 grams salmon fillet, skinless and diced
- 4 medium sized beets
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 TL Dijon-Mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 20 ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, wrap the beetroot in aluminum foil and cook for 1 hour. Alternatively, you can also use pre-cooked beetroot.
- Cut the beets into small pieces and mix with half of the onions, mustard, lemon juice and olive oil in a large bowl.
- Mix the salmon fillet with the remaining onions in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- To serve, place an 8cm ring in the center of each plate.
- Layer the avocado, beetroot and salmon and sprinkle with parsley.
- Carefully remove the ring and place the salmon tartare in the refrigerator until serving.
Halloumi salad with oranges and carrots
And of course a fresh salad should not be missing from our list of Christmas appetizer recipes. Whether sweet as a cake or a savory orange sauce –Orange recipesare simply a must in winter and this halloumi salad with oranges is a real dream!
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 2 large oranges, peeled and sliced
- 2 large carrots, grated
- 250 grams halloumi cheese, sliced
- 200 grams of baby spinach or rocket
- 20 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 30 ml olive oil, plus extra for frying
- 10 grams of honey
- 10 grams of mustard
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
- To make the dressing, mix orange juice, olive oil, mustard, honey and white wine vinegar in a small bowl and place in the refrigerator.
- Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Combine baby spinach and carrots in a large bowl.
- Add the dressing and mix well.
- Divide the salad onto plates and garnish with halloumi and orange slices.
- Enjoy!
Pomegranate crostini with pistachios
Christmas appetizer recipes are an excellent way to experiment in the kitchen and discover new flavors. If you love the combination of sweet and savory, then you should definitely try this pomegranate and pistachio crostini.
Ingredients for 12 crostini:
- 12 slices of baguette bread
- 180 grams of cream cheese, at room temperature
- 20 ml orange juice
- 20 grams of honey
- 150 grams of pomegranate seeds
- 70 grams of pistachios, finely chopped
- 40 grams of dark chocolate, grated
- 20 grams butter, melted
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the bread slices on the baking tray and spread butter on both sides.
- Roast for 7-9 minutes and let cool slightly.
- Mix the cream cheese, orange juice and honey well in a small bowl and spread it on the bread slices.
- Top with pomegranate seeds, pistachios and chocolate and your Christmas appetizer is ready!
Warm Christmas appetizer recipes
Whether it's an aromatic holiday soup, stuffed mushrooms and small appetizers - warm starters for the Christmas menu are always a good idea. Our Christmas starter recipes definitely make a successful start to the Christmas meal and increase your appetite for the main course.
Beetroot soup recipe
Would you perhaps like a creamy holiday soup? Quick to make, full of flavors and really delicious – this beetroot soup tastes fantastic not just at Christmas, but all year round!
Ingredients for 4-6 servings:
- 700 grams of beetroot, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- The juice and grated zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp vegetable broth, instant
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 4 dried figs, chopped finely
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 30 grams hazelnuts, roughly chopped
- 100 grams of yogurt
- Fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper
Preparation:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and fry onion for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the beetroot and sauté briefly.
- Add vegetable stock, orange juice and 600 ml water to the pot and bring to the boil.
- Reduce heat, season with sugar, salt and pepper and simmer covered for 30-35 minutes.
- Roast the hazelnuts in a pan without fat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and mix with orange peel and figs.
- Puree the soup with a hand blender or in a blender until smooth and add the yoghurt.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the beetroot soup onto plates, sprinkle with nuts and parsley and enjoy warm.
Christmas appetizer recipes: puff pastry bites with chorizo and cherry tomatoes
Whether sweet or savory like ours with chorizo and cherry tomatoes - puff pastry bites are ideal if you want to prepare some delicious Christmas appetizers in a hurry.
Ingredients for 4-6 servings:
- 1 pack of puff pastry
- 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
- 2 chorizo sausages, cut into thick pieces
- 400 grams of cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Mozzarella or Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 220 degrees and cut the puff pastry into small squares.
- Line small tart or muffin tins with the puff pastry and prick the bottom several times with a fork.
- Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 170 degrees.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan over high heat and fry zucchini slices for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Set aside.
- Fry the chorizo for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cover the puff pastry shapes with chorizo, zucchini and cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.
- Bake for another 5 minutes and voilà – your warm starter for the Christmas menu is ready!
Prosciutto-wrapped pears with brie
The combination of sweet pears, salty prosciutto and creamy brie is truly sensational! This is one of those Christmas appetizer recipes that will amaze all your guests - we promise.
Ingredients for 4-6 servings:
- 8 pears, halved lengthwise and cored
- 16 slices of prosciutto
- 120 grams Brie, sliced
- 120 grams blue cheese, sliced
- 50 ml olive oil
- 20 ml Balsamic-Essig
- Rucola or baby spinach
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the pears, cut side up, on the baking tray and brush with a little olive oil.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the pears begin to soften.
- Whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Top the pears with 1 slice each of brie, blue cheese and a little rocket and wrap with the prosciutto.
- Bake for another 5 minutes.
- Drizzle with balsamic dressing and enjoy with a glass of white wine!
