Festive Seafood Sharing Platter Recipes

Steps:

• Start making the pâté by putting the smoked trout, crème fraîche and lemon juice into a food processor. Pulse briefly to bring everything together without the mixture becoming a purée. Season to taste, and put in a bowl or ramekins, cover and chill until ready to serve.
• For the spiced cucumber salad, put the chilli in a large bowl, and add the ginger and lime zest and juice, and slowly whisk in the olive oil. Once thoroughly combined, add the cucumber, mix well to coat in the dressing, then set aside in the fridge.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the oatmeal on a plate. Lightly brush the mackerel fillets all over with beaten egg, and dip them in the oatmeal, turning to coat them on both sides. Lay the mackerel fillets on a baking sheet that has been lightly greased with olive oil and bake for 15-20 mins or until golden.
• To serve, arrange slices of smoked salmon and the warm cooked mackerel on large platters with the ramekins of trout pâté and the cucumber salad, breads, crispbreads, butter and lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Fill a large platter with crushed ice. Place the seafood and lemons artfully on top of the ice. Serve with the sauces.
• Combine all the ingredients and serve with the seafood.
• Place the shallots, vinegar, and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Add the pepper and herbs and serve with the raw oysters.

Steps:

• Whisk the lemon juice with the mustard, then mix into the mayonnaise with the dill. Prepare up to a day ahead and chill.
• Lay out the seafood on a platter with lemon wedges and a bowl of the mayonnaise in the middle so everyone can help themselves. Serve with plenty of fresh brown bread.