Dinner starter ideas for fussy eaters?

[Lollyheart]

Dh, fil, and dcs won't eat prawns or pate. I think soup would be too filling.
Any ideas of what I can do for them?

Melon with parma ham?

Avocado salad? An oldie but a goodie! Either like a prawn cocktail (sans prawns) or a tricolore salad.
Salad with crudites
Melon with parma ham
Glass of port (that's what I would go for given half the chance)

Melon is a good one for the kids, dh won't eat fruit

Small portion of soup then - little cup sized bowls.

smoked salmon/gravalax (with little toast squares)

corn on the cob (get the little coblets, not big ones)

Little goats cheese tartlets with puff pastry, or mushroom tartlets

Or just lots of canapes and skip starters?

Goats cheese wrapped in parma ham

Mozzarella and Tomato salad

Eggs Benedict

Pear, stilton wrapped in parma ham

Deep fried brie & cranberry/redcurrant or a big warmed Camembert with bread/crudites etc

Bet they'd eat deep fried breaded mozzarella.

mackerel in cheese (ramekin)

I love that word. So like 'lambiekin'. Always makes me smile.

I'd probably do a salad. Something like a bed of green leaves with walnut and pear, or similar to www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9072/roquefort-pancetta-and-pear-salad. Doesn't have to be pear, green leaves with something salty like blue cheese or bacon / pancetta. Croutons for some texture.

Oh this would be nice www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4792/winter-waldorf-salad If there's a child who wouldn't like dressing then keep some apple slices and walnuts to one side.

For the above tell dh to leave the fruit to one side

Stuffed mushrooms? I think mushrooms would go with a roast. If pate is a problem because of the chopped up liver thing then would they go for mushroom pate / mushroom butter? Or mushrooms on toast. I love mushrooms cooked with garlic, thyme, white wine, then creme fraiche in at the end.

I don't think soup has to be filling, keep the portions small and don't serve bread! How about a clear soup? French onion?

I like the idea of mini corn on the cobs, they don't take long to nuke and ideal for any children who don't like the alternative.

I love Waldorf salad. I definitely think that salad is the best option. Otherwise how can you have room for Christmas cake and mince pies and christmas pudding?

why bother with a starter at all?