How to make a healthy festive starter

With the countdown to Christmas now in single figures and the prospect of cooking the big lunch soon to become a reality, we couldn’t have been happier to receive a preview of Abel & Cole’s festive recipe boxes. This smoked salmon starter went down a treat – a fresh and zingy prelude to the rich-tasting dishes that are to follow. Try it for yourself, then pick up a copy of the December issue of Healthy Food Guide for more festive inspiration.

Merry Christmas!

Smoked salmon salad with citrus and spice

Prep: 30 min

Serves: 6–8

• 150g watercress

• 2 red onions

• 1 cucumber

• 3 limes

• 2 tbsp brown rice wine vinegar

• Pinch demerara sugar or to taste

• Pinch dried chilli flakes or to taste

• 400g smoked salmon

1 Rinse the watercress and pick out and discard any thick stalks. Gently pat the remaining sprigs dry with kitchen paper, then set aside.

2 Peel and very finely slice the red onions. Halve the cucumber lengthways, then use a vegetable peeler to make thin strips, stopping when you reach the seeded core.

3 Finely grate or pare the zest from the limes, then add to a bowl. Squeeze in the lime juice. Add the brown rice wine vinegar, sugar and chilli flakes. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Taste and add more sugar/chilli as needed.

4 Divide the watercress, red onion and cucumber ribbons among 6–8 small serving plates, or pile it all onto one big platter. Top with the smoked salmon, then spoon over the dressing. Serve straightaway.

Per serving (based on serves 6)

123kcal

18.4g protein

3.3g fat

0.6g saturates

5.2g carbs

3.9g sugar

1.7g fibre

3.2g salt

58mg calcium

1mg iron

LOW CAL

LOW FAT

LOW SAT FAT

LOW SUGAR

HIGH PROTEIN

GLUTEN FREE

DAIRY FREE

1 OF 5-A-DAY

This year, Abel & Cole is offering a choice of three Christmas Feast boxes with ingredients and recipe cards, each to serve 6–8. Take a look at what’s included, then place your order by 22 December at abelandcole.co.uk/christmas/feast-box:

The Merry Veggie Christmas Feast Box £80.00 (reduced from £100)

Cauliflower Soup with Saffron & Sage

Roast Stuffed Squashes with Christmas Spices

Hot Harissa Tomato Sauce

Potato Skordalia

Cumin Roast Celeriac & Parsnips

Broccoli with Sesame & Lemon

Red Cabbage with Pomegranate

Brilliant Baked Orange & Cardamom Cheesecake

The Brilliant Beef Christmas Feast Box £140.00 (reduced from £160)

Smoked Salmon Salad with Citrus & Spice

Roast Topside of Beef with Mustardy Onion Gravy

Dishy Horseradish Crème Fraiche

Yorkshire Puddingle Bells

Goose Fat Roast Spuds & Snips

Lemon & Cumin Carrots

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Lardons

Honeyed Red Cabbage with Bramley Apples

Jewelled Chocolate Torte

The Terrific Turkey Christmas Feast Box £180.00 (reduced from £200)

Smoked Salmon Salad with Citrus & Spice

Butter Roast Turkey with Cider Gravy

Sage & Shallot Stuffing Balls

Goose Fat Roast Spuds & Snips

Lemon & Cumin Carrots

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Lardons

Honeyed Red Cabbage with Bramley Apples

Jewelled Chocolate Torte