Dinner party starter recipes

This stunning starter can be assembled ahead, then topped with dressed leaves just before serving.

Rustle up Tom Kerridge's crab starter with a hint of smoked paprika for your next dinner party. You can make it ahead, leaving you time to sit down and enjoy

Make this moreish vegetarian dish as an easy starter for a dinner party. You can make it in 20 minutes and the sauce can be prepped ahead of time

Bring a Spanish touch to scallops using smoky chorizo and a picada made with hazelnuts, sherry and rustic bread. A vibrant starter or indulgent summer lunch

Make this speedy, cheesy veggie treat for a light supper, or starter. It only needs five ingredients and you can have it on the table in 15 minutes

Treat guests to grilled lobster tails served with a lemon, garlic and parsley butter. They take a little effort, but make an impressive dinner party dish

Feed your friends this simple freeze-ahead starter, topped with goat's cheese croutons for added crunch

Impress guests with this deceptively simple starter that's packed with the lovely flavours of salmon, shrimp, asparagus and apple. Make it in just 20 minutes

Chop up tomatoes, toss with salt, top with creamy burrata and slather with a broad bean-flecked salsa verde to make this simple yet super-tasty salad

If you're looking for a Christmas classic with a twist, this French ham hock and pistachio terrine, transformed into a modern make-ahead starter is for you

A light salmon starter with a crisp salad and honey and mustard dressing. No cooking required, just gravadlax or smoked salmon plus fresh seasonal produce

Individual tarte Tatin-style bakes with puff pastry, caramelised onions, thyme and ash goat's cheese make a sumptuous vegetarian lunch or dinner party starter

A modern dinner party starter that’s great for a budget - salty feta, sweet grapes, tangy sumac and aniseed dill create contrasting yet complementary flavours

Fresh mackerel is always a winner and grilling gives a deliciously charred quality. Pickled beetroot wedges add an extra tang in this party-perfect, budget-savvy starter

Curing your own salmon is well worth it for taste and wow-factor. Serve this beetroot and berries version as a starter or on crackers as a canapé

Make this classic French fish soup at a dinner party for friends and family. It's a challenge, but will make an impressive starter or main course

Runner beans work really well with spices and these curried filo triangles are the perfect showcase - a great starter or nibble for 6 people

Impress guests with this starter, or fish course, that's perfect for a dinner party. Scallops and radishes are served in a delicate Vietnamese sauce

This broccoli and feta dish makes a great vegetarian starter with a pinch of warming chilli. The preserved lemon yogurt is seriously addictive

Make these moreish rice balls with spicy nduja sausage, gooey mozzarella filling and crunchy breadcrumb coating for a Valentine’s Day nibble

Elegant yet full-flavoured, guests will love putting together these bites - make the beef and crème fraîche topping in advance to get ahead

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

We've made leeks the star of our elegant, simple starter. Hazelnuts add crucial crunch and the anchovy dressing gives the dish an umami depth of flavour

Quality produce makes this dish, Charentais melon, heirloom tomatoes and salty prosciutto marry beautifully. Ideal as a sharing platter starter for a summer dinner party