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The start of a meal is a taster of what's to come so should set the bar high. From simple and delicious easy starter recipes like soups and salads to more elaborate starter ideas such as tarts and terrines, be inspired to start your meal with a something special.
This gorgeous salad uses seasonal clementines tossed in a sweet dressing with some added crunch from nuts and pomegranates. Perfect for a festive starter or healthy, colourful lunch over the Christmas holidays.
This aubergine parmigiana recipe makes a great meat-free alternative to lasagne.
For a fruity vegan Christmas starter that everyone will love, look no further than these stuffed pears
An elegant starter that's colourful, light and quick to prepare, this smoked salmon recipe is just the ticket to kick off the proceedings on Christmas Day
This vibrant, textured salad is the perfect starter to kick off your Christmas dinner. Sweet, earthy beetroot in a fragrant herb crust paired with the crunchy walnuts and creamy goat's cheese – a classic Christmas starter that's sure to get good results
Try this delicious meaty starter for your next dinner party or festive feast. Quick-cooked minute steaks are wrapped around a roasted vegetable filling to create gorgeous little parcels your guests will love. Serve with a simple salad garnish for an easy,
Make your own bread with this delicious Pirojki recipe, which has the added bonus of a gorgeous feta filling. The sesame seeds add a moreish light crunch. Perfect for a picnic or as part of a lunch.
Create a taste sensation with this fabulous salad, the pomegranate salsa infused with garlic and chilli perfectly complements the mild saltiness of the halloumi.
These delicious prosciutto parcels are stuffed with the tasty festive flavours of tangy blue cheese and sweet, sticky dates, making it the perfect starter for Christmas Day
This stunning starter dish is the perfect appetiser this Christmas. Combining the fruity tastes of pomegranate and creamy ricotta and goat's cheese, friends and family will fall in love with this impressive, yet quick to make mousse recipe.
This rich vegan and gluten-free pâté derives its powerful flavour from a mix of dried porcini and fresh chestnut and wild mushrooms.
Set the scene for your Christmas lunch with this vibrant salad. Sweet red cabbage tastes heavenly matched with tangy blue cheese and roasted pecans in this festive starter.
Try a cheesy festive twist on meaty stuffed mushrooms for a great vegetarian Christmas Day starter that's ready in under 30 minutes and totally gluten-free
Halloumi, Serrano ham and figs come together beautifully in this wintery starter complemented by a dressing that combines fiery chilli and sweet honey. This fuss-free Christmas starter can be ready in just 20 minutes, leaving you more time to relax
These sweet potato rounds are perfect for a special occasion or as part of a festive feast. They are easy to make and can be prepared ahead, so there’s no hassle on the day. The roasted sweet potato discs make a delicious base for a whipped feta topping, s
Sweet, fresh and zesty, this twist on the classic prawn cocktail is the best way to get your festivities underway
Set the tone for your Christmas dinner with this impressive, luxurious starter. A Vietnamese-inspired salad that pairs meaty lobster with sharp grapefruit, fresh mint and a wonderfully fragrant sweet and sour dressing
If you're looking for a simple Christmas starter to serve this year, try this colourful roasted squash salad. With roasted tomatoes, fresh spinach and a festive pomegranate dressing, this vegan and gluten-free starter can kick off your Christmas dinner for everyone.
Try this artichoke bruschetta recipe for a simple Christmas starter idea. Cook jarred artichokes with lemon and plenty of fresh herbs and then pile onto crisp sourdough toasts for an easy way to begin the Christmas feast.
For an easy vegan starter idea, try these Portobello mushroom tarts. Tender mushrooms are cooked in fragrant garlic oil and baked in buttery puff pastry until crisp and golden for a super simple starter with just five ingredients.
Crunchy, sweet and zingy, this vibrant salad makes an interesting starter for Christmas Day or winter dinner parties. Make the dressing and toast the nuts a couple of days in advance, to save time on the day.
A delicious seafood starter for a springtime weekend lunch. Satisfying and fresh, these crispy sourdough bruschettas are made with thinly sliced fennel, sweet crab, lemon and olive oil. Top tip: if you haven't any dill, use the fennel fronds instead.
Chef, author and TV presenter, Kwoklyn Wan shares his simple, yet totally delicious twist on sesame prawn toast. Kwoklyn says: "Christmas is a time for sharing, and a plate stacked high with glistening, golden sesame chicken toasts is the perfect festive finger food for a gathering."
Combining two classics – Chinese-inspired prawn toast and retro-style prawn cocktail – these bite-sized canapés bring comfort and joy in equal measure. Better still, they take just 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook in the air-fryer, while you can dial up the spice for extra heat.
This easy air-fryer brie is a must-try for entertaining. Top the cheese with fruity chutney for a gorgeous caramelised glaze and walnut pieces for extra crunch, then dip in! Cooking for a crowd? Simple double the recipe and cook both at the same time.
Kick off your Christmas feasting with these clever cheese bauble starters in three festive flavour combinations.
A simple starter that is ready in no time and will be a real crowd-pleaser
Sweet and juicy pears are the perfect partner for creamy Manchego in this easy cheese tart recipe
Not only does this taste great, but it’s a fantastically simple recipe for children from seven and eight upwards. They’ll learn how to peel, squeeze, snip, mash, stir and most of all enjoy!
This spicy onion bhaji recipe is so easy and is the perfect vegan side dish for your next Indian.
For something that has just four ingredients, this soup is seriously good – and it's super-quick to prepare, too. Pea and mint are a classic summery flavour combination and the goat's cheese melts beautifully into the soup creating a lovely fresh contrast.
Excellent as pre-dinner canapés, these light and tasty spinach and filo tarts are a cinch to make. Blanched spinach, eggs, Parmesan, mustard and crème fraîche make up the savoury filling, with each tart baked in the oven till crisp and golden.
An elegant starter or side, making the most of the season's juicy figs.