This Seafood Salad with Dill would make a great centerpiece at any holiday table. Shrimp and smoked salmon served over a bed of mixed greens with a tangy dill sauce on the side. This is a perfect starter to any holiday table and can even be served alongside a brunch.
It’s official, Christmas is only just over a week away. Time to let the panic set in or time to run away and hide until January. You decide. As appealing as the ladder sounds right about now, I know I love it really. That being said, time to really think about food for the big day. I know I will be cooking a Roasted Turkey, Onion Gravy and all the trimmings.
But I like to make a different starter and dessert to spice it up a bit! The other week, we had this Seafood Salad with Dill for lunch and it reminded me of Christmas. So maybe, just maybe, it will be gracing our dinner table next weekend. This salad is a great combination of zesty dill with smooth smoked salmon and garlicky shrimp. A great way to start the Christmas feast.
Starters Before a Christmas Dinner
Having a starter before a Christmas dinner probably isn’t essential, but we like to do it because it adds a bit more of decadence to the big meal. Some years, we do soup. A favourite before the big turkey dinner would have to be the Spiced Roasted Squash Soup. It is one of my favourite soups. The things about soup, is you can make it the day before so it is all set to go before the big day.
Notes About this Seafood Salad with Dill
- I used my Homemade Dill Sauce for this recipe. If you prefer, you can buy one to save on time.
- This recipe uses purchased raw shrimp that you cook at home. These are cooked in garlic and olive oil which give a fantastic flavour to the salad. Try to do this this way for best results.
- Thin cut smoked salmon works best. So take a look around you supermarket for a thin cut smoked salmon for best results.
- You can make this in advance, cover and keep in the fridge until serving.
Whatever you starter will be on Christmas, try to keep it fuss free. Well, at least I find this a good idea. I usually always have a starter that is made in advance and just needs reheating or in this case cold. When you are cooking a turkey dinner, there is so much going on and you don’t need to be distracted by side dishes as well.
Also, keep the starter light! Key to not over stuffing yourself before you are ready to stuff yourself! This salad is light and fuss free. So could be a keeper for the Christmas day feast. Easy starters to help make a stressful day a little easier!
And if you love salmon dishes like this one, check out my Baked Salmon & Sauteed Brussel Sprouts.
Here’s Some More Great Seafood Starters and Salads You’ll Love
Seafood Salad with Dill
Ingredients
- 16 large shrimp raw, peeled and de veined
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 8 oz smoked salmon
- 2 Cups Arugula leaves
- 1/2 Cup Dill Sauce
Instructions
- In a large skillet set over high heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Stir for just a minute and add the shrimp. Toss the shrimp around the pan for about 3 – 5 minutes or until cooked through. Squeeze over lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and give a good toss. Remove from heat.
- On a large serving plate, spread out the arugula leaves. Top with smoked salmon and shrimp. Serve Dill Sauce on the side.
*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
