Festive starter recipes
Showing 1 to 24 of 51 results
Baked ham hock pots
Save time and energy at Christmas with these easy, no-fuss baked ham hock pots as a starter. They’re great to begin a Christmas menu and set the festive mood
Halloumi, carrot & orange salad
Serve this halloumi, carrot, orange and watercress salad with a mustard and honey dressing for an easy lunch or starter. It takes just 20 minutes to make and delivers one of your 5-a-day
Cucumber prawn cocktail cups
Rustle up these cucumber prawn cocktail cups for a speedy starter. Ideal at Christmas time, they‘re served on lettuce leaves and topped with crispy shallots.
Hot smoked salmon & beetroot platter
Serve this smoked salmon dish as a starter on a special occasion such as at Christmas. With beetroot, rocket and walnuts, it‘s full of colour and texture.
Goat’s cheese, pear & walnut tartines
Top toasted sourdough with goat's cheese, honey-roasted pears and walnuts to make these tasty tartines. They take just two minutes to prep and deliver one of your 5-a-day
Cured salmon with prawns, pickled salad & dill lime crème fraîche
Make this cured salmon and prawn dish as a classy starter for a dinner party. It takes a few days of prep, but it’s well worth it for the flavour that you get
Chicken liver parfait. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.
Get your dinner party off to a great start with a silky-smooth chicken liver parfait. Serve with toasted brioche and a sweet chutney for an indulgent starter
Chicken terrine with leeks & apricots
Whet the appetite for the main event by serving guests this special chicken terrine with leeks and apricots. It can be made up to three days ahead
Burmese tofu fritters (tohu jaw)
Serve these Burmese-inspired fritters with a garlic dipping sauce as a starter, canapé or simple snack. They're crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside
Chicken liver pâté
James Martin's luxuriously rich dinner party starter can be made up to two days in advance for fuss-free entertaining - serve with toasted brioche, cornichons and chutney.
Baked camembert with bacon-wrapped breadsticks
Gooey, melted cheese and crispy, golden bread make a stunning centrepiece to share with friends over drinks or as a dinner party starter – make ahead for fuss-free entertaining
Cauliflower cheese rolls
Impress guests with our creamy cauliflower cheese rolls. These easy canapés are wrapped in crunchy filo pastry and topped with sesame seeds
Smoked mackerel on toasted crumpets
Try our easy starter – the filling can be made well in advance and chilled. Once your guests arrive, toast the crumpets and pile the filling on top
Baked red onions with ricotta
Gather your friends for a relaxed evening – these baked red onions are special but simple to prepare, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen
Smoked salmon carpaccio
James Martin's stunning seafood starter is guaranteed to impress at any dinner party - layer with beetroot, orange and tangy horseradish cream
Goat’s cheese, pear & candied pecan salad
This extra-special vegetarian starter is bursting with contrasting flavours and textures, such as spiralized pear, crunchy roasted nuts and creamy cheese
Shukhi – warm beetroot & mushroom salad
This Ukrainian dish is traditionally eaten at Christmas - serve on toasted rye bread for a crostini-like starter or party canapé
Smoked haddock & celeriac salad
James Martin's seafood starter has a delicate balance of salty, sharp, rich and smoky flavours - a mouthwatering start to a Bonfire Night menu
Layered hummus with spiced tortilla chips
Entertain a crowd with this attractive chickpea dip - make the hummus and herby oil ahead, then assemble at the last minute
Lobster, green bean & radicchio salad
This festive seafood starter, finished with a garlicky basil dressing, can be prepared ahead - ideal for a fuss-free dinner for two
Quick lemon gravadlax
This speedy, zesty version of the Swedish classic cuts the curing time to 30 minutes and makes a special starter for two
Cheesy sprout fondue
This versatile recipe can be altered to transform your leftover cheese into a help-yourself starter – perfect served with crusty bread
Crayfish cocktail with horseradish cream
Give the classic prawn cocktail a twist by pairing crayfish tails with tangy horseradish and creamy avocado in this delicious dinner party starter
Celebration fish platter with spiced cucumber salad
This indulgent sharing platter makes an impressive dinner party starter with trout pâté, crisp coated mackerel fillets and smoked salmon