Summer starter recipes

Make 'buffalo cauliflower' for a veggie take on the spicy American classic. Served with a ranch dip, it makes an excellent Friday night sharing treat

Use crab to take your fishcakes to the next level. These are ideal for sharing and dunking in our tangy tartare sauce. If you can, use fresh crabmeat

Make a meal of this Italian classic with the addition of pan-fried halloumi and ready-roasted peppers for a 20-minute light lunch or supper

Prepare your own version of one of Tuscany’s most famous dishes, panzanella. It's a good way to use up leftovers, as it's made with stale bread – simply toss with ripe tomatoes and an olive oil dressing

Add burrata to our pea and broad bean salad to introduce a delicate, soft and buttery element to the plate. A lemon dressing really cuts through the richness

Use up a garden glut of runner beans or buy them fresh to make these bhajis. Make sure you try the coconut chutney – it really is the perfect accompaniment

Impress family and friends with the ultimate sharing starter: cheesy, moreish garlic dough balls. With a tomato-based dipping sauce, they make an ideal addition to any Italian-inspired menu

Enjoy this speedy tomato and mozzarella salad as a side dish, or add some sliced avocado for a filling lunch. Top with basil leaves and crushed crostini for extra flavour and texture

Make this broccoli and pea soup for lunch or to serve as a starter, and top it with minty ricotta and pine nuts. A healthy dish, it delivers three of your five-a-day

Roast a couple of aubergines and top with tarator – a nutty and garlicky sauce that pairs perfectly with aubergine. Enjoy as a starter or side dish

Make the most of dates with these Middle Eastern-inspired sweet and savoury filo pastries. Packed with feta, dates and spinach, they make a great side dish

Serve this Asian-inspired twist on classic prawn cocktail as a starter or party canapés over the festive period

Impress guests at dinner parties with these moreish Bengali scotch eggs. They make a popular starter in an Indian menu, or as part of the snack spread

This seasonal membrillo recipe makes two clever treats in one. You'll have quince paste and a delicate quince jelly to preserve the flavours of the season

Pair beetroot with crab to make this healthy and vibrant pâté. Serve with crudités and crisp breads for dunking

Make these moreish fritters as a starter or light main course, with a delicious avocado purée – you can also serve them with guacamole or chipotle aioli

Serve these easy stuffed mushrooms with melted cheese, bacon lardons and breadcrumbs alongside a simple salad and crusty bread for a quick, fuss-free dinner

Fry up a batch of crispy Cajun spiced shrimps – they are completely addictive. Put the beer on ice, too, for an informal dinner with friends and family

Slow-roast late summer tomatoes to make them extra sweet and flavourful. Serve with ricotta and prosciutto for a brilliant bruschetta

Whip up this quick and healthy asparagus, pea and egg salad and you'll get plenty of nutrients including vitamin C and iron, plus three of your 5-a-day

Take shop-bought hummus to new heights with a topping of pickled red onion and pomegranate seeds. Serve with pitta bread as a party snack or a weekend lunch

A satisfying vegetarian salad of contrasting flavours and textures. The salty cheese is cooled by crisp, sweet watermelon

Toss lettuce, croutons and cheese in a punchy anchovy and garlic dressing for a traditional caesar salad – plus griddled chicken to take the flavour up a notch

Drizzle apple and horseradish dressing over oysters for a sophisticated seafood starter to share. Serve on a bed of ice or rock salt with sprigs of dill