Make ahead starter ideas

[BangingOn]

I’m looking for some make ahead starter suggestions. I’m a pretty confident cook but my one of my guests is coeliac and the other doesn’t eat fish and I’ve realised that none of my usual starters are suitable.

I would prefer to be able to make it or at least prepare it ahead of time and I’m not a big fan of soup.

Any ideas much appreciated.

[Chewbecca]

Damn, my two suggestions (twice baked cheese soufflé and salmon with remoulade) both fail your criteria.

How about remoulade with smoked duck breast?

[Kikashi]

Most people seem to appreciate a few small dishes/plates - maybe some good olives, a couple of dips with bread or pitta and crudites for the coeliac. a nice hummous with a twist -coriander or beetroot for example or a baba ganoush (aubergine dip)or muhmarra (although you would need to use gluten free bread crumbs). Really easy to blitz up the day before some salad leaves. You could pre prepare some arancini or some kind of fritter (cauliflower, courgette, corn etc).

Depends what cuisine you are serving for mains - if chinese you could do some wontons to keep in the fridge to fry at the last minute, Indian- samosas, pakoras etc.

Lots of ideas on the BBC Food, Jamie Oliver and Ottolenghi sites

[cannotmakemymindup]

Ham hock and chicken terrine with chilli jam and bread roll.
Homemade Pate.
However i agree what sort of cuisine is the main course?

[inappropriateraspberry]

Pate, mezze, tapas or anti pasta? Put a load of bits in the middle of the table and people can pick what they want/are able to eat.

[Oldieandgoldie]

Garlic mushroom pots with gf bread?

www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/baked-creamy-garlic-mushrooms/

[myrtleWilson]

what are you planning for the main course?
I agree with others that mezze/tapas style options give you flexibility and freedom. Similar plans can be made for chinese/indian style dishes - yuk shung for Chinese/pakora/baked bhajis for Indian...

But if you were planning roast rib of beef for main then that wouldn't necessarily flow as well (but I'd eat them still!!)

[BangingOn]

All great ideas thank you. The main course is slow roast lamb with mejadra and an aubergine and pomegranate salad (Ottolenghi and Feast recipes). The tapas style idea might be the simplest, although it would have to be zero gluten etc as cross contamination is an issue.

[myrtleWilson]

ooh some romesco sauce and vegetables would be lovely and would fit well - I've not made it with gf bread but I'm sure it would work... Perhaps have a look at Moro for some other ideas in same/adjacent regions?

[Kikashi]

What a feast. How lovely.
I would go for something light for a starter - maybe a make ahead dip with crudites, some olives. The butterbean dip on this link can be made ahead and the walnuts added just before serving. I often make the avocado and broad bean dip (as I love broad beans) it is extremely simple but can't be made too far in advance.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/02/dips-spreads-recipes-spinach-butterbean-red-pepper-avocado-lentil-yotam-ottolenghi?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

You could even serve your aubergine salad as a starter if needed.

[MamaDuckling]

How about a Serrano ham/rocket/burrata/fig mega plate that everyone tucks into. So easy, drizzle over some balsamic glaze, grind of pepper, maybe some toasted pine nuts. Looks stunning too.... I serve on a pretty oval platter.

[Kikashi]

That looks lovely mama , finding ripe unctuous figs in the UK is always a problem I find.

[MamaDuckling]

True. Any Turkish supermarkets near you?!

[BangingOn]

I’m absolutely spoilt for choice right now, thank you!

Googling for Turkish supermarkets and sources of fresh figs...

[MamaDuckling]

Enjoy it, sounds lovely!!

[BangingOn]

Thank you!