Christmas starter recipes

Spruce up a salad with a rosemary, honey and hazelnut crumb to accompany Spanish cheese, sweet fruit and bitter leaves

These soufflés may take a while to perfect but once mastered, they'll be a starter you return to time and again

With a double layer of goat's cheese and a coating of cream, these bistro-style bakes are authentically rich

Bypass bread croutons and a heavy cream dressing and instead serve up a crispy, fruity salad with shellfish

Fat, juicy scallops are always a treat- the secret is not to overcook them and to team with contrasting sweet flavours

Reader Margaret Cody shares her moreish party dish- the creamy vegetarian filling baked into a round loaf will go down a storm with guests

These individual portions of butter-topped paté can be frozen ahead for a dinner party with friends

MasterChef finalist, Alex Rushmer, shows us how to create a show-stopping vegetarian starter for the festive season

Cooking for friends? This sophisticated starter is a taste sensation with lemon, anchovies and garlic packing a punch

Entertaining? Treat your guests to flash-fried shellfish with a garlic butter, capes, chilli and zesty lemon. It's ready in 15 minutes too

These perfect party tartlets are a great make-ahead starter for a fancy Sunday lunch

This starter, with its quick pickled onion is impressive, but takes little time as it’s part of making the dressing. You can do it while the turkey is cooking

Whizz up sustainable smoked fish with horseradish, lemon and cream cheese, plus a little spinach for colour, then serve with toast as a light starter

This versatile recipe can be altered to transform your leftover cheese into a help-yourself starter – perfect served with crusty bread

A mix of chilli, lime, sesame and soy turns a traditional smoked salmon starter into a spicy taste sensation

Spice up this retro prawn cocktail with spicy nduja and hot sauce. Serve as a nibble with drinks or arrange on a plate for an elegant Christmas starter

Elevate a classic Christmas party starter by adding the flavours of garlic and thyme to baked camembert. Serve with crusty bread for scooping