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Vegetarian starter for special birthday lunch

35 replies

wentmadinthecountry · 03/02/2019 19:42

Mumsnet has helped me out before with all things vegetarian so I have high hopes!

Lunch next Sunday - my dad volunteered to pay for lunch out as it's my 55th birthday then my step mother's 93rd birthday the following day. Will cost a fortune with our 4 (3 of them adult plus partners) so I am cooking. Dd1 and her bf are vegetarian so I thought an elegant vegetarian starter for everyone would be in order - there will be 11 of us. Main courses are fine because I'm doing 3 things. Ideally something that doesn't take too much last minute faffing as it's my birthday too. Lots of willing helpers (dcs who normally live the other side of the country) but more champagne, less chopping, more prep the day before or early morning would be good. I'd rather avoid mushrooms as I'm planning on a mushroom wellington as a main course.

Please don't say that lovely Bosh vegetable tart - looked pretty Jackson Pollock when I tried to make it!! I'm a pretty good cook, just a rather impatient one.

Thank you!

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JennyHolzersGhost · 03/02/2019 19:44

What main courses are you doing ?

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JennyHolzersGhost · 03/02/2019 19:45

And are you going for formal, semi formal or casual ?

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travailtotravel · 03/02/2019 19:47

What about little tarts - onion, for example. I'm also a big fan of mezze help yourself style starters - plonk on table. Hummus, dips, breadsticks, sundries toms atc

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Onandonandons · 03/02/2019 19:48

A nice tasty soup like beetroot or carrot and coriander. With cream.

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PurpleDaisies · 03/02/2019 19:49

I’m guessing you want to stay away from puff pastry if you’re doing a wellington for main.

I’ve done tings like mini savoury scones with chutney and a bit of salad, spanakopita (make ahead and reheat), beetroot feta and lentil salad. Or soup and crusty bread is always well received.

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iklboo · 03/02/2019 19:50

A couple of Camemberts with rosemary and garlic, crusty bread, crudités etc?

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Mookatron · 03/02/2019 19:50

Yes, a soup. Creamy asparagus or something, with a good home made stock.

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Joinourclub · 03/02/2019 19:50

Butternut squash soup

Roast beetroot and goats cheese salad


Asparagus and a poached egg

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CrispbuttyNo1 · 03/02/2019 19:51

I make courgette and halloumi fritters with salsa and they are well received.

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JayAlfredPrufrock · 03/02/2019 19:52

I made a lovely Broccoli and Boursin soup for New Year’s Eve.

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PurpleDaisies · 03/02/2019 19:53

Forgot about fritters. Love those. Sweetcorn fritters with spicy tomato chutney is my favourite.

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wentmadinthecountry · 03/02/2019 19:53

Not entirely decided - thinking very very slow roasted lamb, boeuf bourgignon and mushroom wellington. Semi formal - nice clothes, nice drinks and food. Don't like odd numbers though for table setting. Will be a bit of a push round the table. Not too casual as dsm is French as well as being 93 and quite well dragged up!

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wentmadinthecountry · 03/02/2019 19:55

Wow! All those responses while I typed and listened to dd!! Will keep all these ideas in mind now dd1 is vegetarian!

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CrispbuttyNo1 · 03/02/2019 19:57

I did sweet corn and spring onion fritters for a dinner party last night

Vegetarian starter for special birthday lunch
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myrtleWilson · 03/02/2019 19:58

This is served in a v good restaurant near me - would it work do you think?
www.appetitemag.co.uk/whipped-feta-on-toast-with-pear-pea-shoots-and-toasted-seeds/

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leaveby10 · 03/02/2019 19:59

I would not do a starter - they are too much fuss for home cooking! Restaurants do starters because it gives them time to cook your main course, at home you don't have that issue. I would serve nibbles with drinks when people arrive.

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2cats2many · 03/02/2019 20:03

I would just do a platter of antipasti. Nice cheeses, breads,.olives, sun-dried tomatoes, cold meats, artichokes, etc. Let people help themselves over drinks then sit down for lunch.

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kateandme · 03/02/2019 20:07

fishcakes.
vegetable stacks
cheese and mustard leeks.
asparagus with poached eggs.
rosti/carrot fritter/with salad and poached egg
mezze salad with warm grain or potatos.
garlic green beans and broccoli.
sweet potato stuffed halves.
sweet potatos sliders topped with a pepper.tomato,onions mashup

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CatnissEverdene · 03/02/2019 20:07
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TwoGinScentedTears · 03/02/2019 20:09
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FurryGiraffe · 03/02/2019 20:10

Twice baked cheese soufflés- small ones in ramekins. Cook them the day before, then all you need to do on the day is plonk them in the oven for fifteen minutes to puff up again.

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Etino · 03/02/2019 20:16

Very very easy-
Rocquefort pear pinenut salad.
Roast the pinenuts and make a salad with chicory grated carrots and the above chopped up

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PurpleDaisies · 03/02/2019 20:18

fishcakes

In what way are these vegetarian?

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NannyR · 03/02/2019 20:25

balsamic red onion and goats cheese tarts I've made these a couple of times, they taste good, look impressive and are very easy to make. I slice the onions in a food processor then make the onion filling in advance and use ready made puff pastry.

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FelicisWolf · 03/02/2019 20:36

Tomato bruschetta? Simple and not stodgy if you're having a big main. Get some nice big (or various different ones/colours if you're feeling fancy) tomatoes, dunk them in boiling water for a few seconds then run them under cold. Their skins will peel off, then cut the flesh into small chunks, discarding the seeds. Finely dice some red onion and mix together with some olive oil, red wine vinegar and basil. Do this in advance to let the tomatoes soak up the flavours of the vinaigrette. Then when it comes to it, slice a couple of ciabatta loaves, drizzle olive oil on them and put them under the grill for a couple of mins to toast. Put the pre-done tomato mixture on and drizzle some balsamic glaze over. Delish!

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