Hosting a Christmas party in the summer is a unique challenge. When the temperature reaches 30°Celcius, the last thing your guests want is a heavy and hot starter. And the last thing you want is to be stuck in a hot kitchen. This year, let’s keep it cool. Try these refreshing, no cook starter ideas that look impressive and let you enjoy the party.
The Crisp Prawn Bucket
Photo: Taste.com.au
Prawn bucket is a classic for a reason, but it can be messy. Instead of dumping a kilo of prawns on the table, tweak it without adding extra work. Create individual prawn cocktails using fresh lettuce cups instead of glass bowls. It’s easy to hold it in one hand, fresh, and crunchy. The best part is, it doesn’t require reheating.
The Festive Sushi Centrepiece
If you want to make a party memorable with (almost) zero effort, this is your “secret recipe.” Sushi is the perfect Christmas food for Aussie summer with its bite-sized rolls and various flavours. Plus, it’s served chill.
For Christmas, you need something special. We’ve taken our freshest ingredients and arranged them into festive displays that serve as instant table decoration.
Grab a mix of salmon avocado, dragon roll, and sashimi from our Premium Platter. For a stunning centrepiece, you can arrange them on a large board in a triangle tree shape, using the avocado rolls as the leaves.
If your family loves seafood, the Fresh Salmon Platter is the one to try. The vibrant orange colour looks appealing naturally. Arrange the slices in a circle to create a delicious edible wreath.
Sweet and Savoury Skewers
This is something you must try if you want a no-cooking required starter. Wrap slices of sweet rockmelon or fresh figs in prosciutto. If you want to get fancy, add a small bocconcini cheese ball onto the skewer. This dish only takes about five minutes to prepare, but the sweet and salty combo feels elegant without trying too hard.
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Photo: Allrecipes
Think of this as the fresher version of the classic blini (Russian pancake). By swapping the cracker for cucumber, you keep the starter hydrating and crisp. Slice a continental cucumber into thick rounds and top with a dollop of cream cheese, a fold of smoked salmon, and a sprig of dill. It’s gluten-free, and brings the festive colours to the table.
The Five-Minute Tuna Pâté
If you want a starter that guests can taste while you prepare the drinks, this is it. You can make this by blending canned tuna, capers, anchovies, lemon, and butter smoothly with a food processor. Serve it with crackers or crisp bread.
You can make this two days before. Keep it in the fridge until you need it, or serve it over a bowl of ice. Don’t let it out in the sun. It’s butter-based, so it can melt into an oily mess in the summer heat.
Why Pre-Ordering is Smarter Than Prep
The consideration phase of Christmas planning usually starts when the panic sets in. You have a choice: spend hours for food prep, or simply pre-order a platter from Pika Sushi.
By pre-ordering, you just pick up the platter on the day you choose, and you’re ready to serve the moment your guests walk in the door.
Christmas sushi platters are designed to be ready to eat (no fuss), crowd-pleasing, and made fresh, so it tastes as crisp as it looks. For a festive feast, sushi also makes a perfect hamper for loved ones. To make your gift even more personal, you’ll get a free Christmas tag when you order any of our platters.
Don’t leave your catering to the last minute. Call your nearest Pika Sushi store today or fill out an order form. We’ll have your order fresh when you pick up, so you can optimise your time to mingle with your guests.
