'Italian' Supper for 6 12 yr olds

[NorthernLurker]

Dd2 was 12 last month and tomorrow some of her mates are coming for dinner and sleepover (arrgh). I've promised her a proper dinner with waitress service (me).

I'm floundering a bit for a starter though. Menu is:

Starter

Home made pizza (Nigella)

Pile of profiteroles/croquembouche depending on sauce wanted by dd

What would you do to start? Needs to be veggie and likely to appeal to 6 Yorkshire lasses.

I've no idea if it'd appeal to 6 Yorkshire lasses, but I'd do tomato and mozzarella bruschetta - get some nice ripe tomatoes, some mozzarella, some garlic and some spring onions; chop it all up and season with salt, pepper and olive oil. Then thickly slice some fresh ciabatta, toast or grill it, rub it with a halved clove of garlic, and top with the tomato mixture, then finish with some shredded fresh basil. Very simple but delicious. Any leftover mixture, just eat from the bowl with a spoon if you're anything like me

I thought about Bruschetta but followed by pizza it's just two versions of the same thing isn't it? I would change the pizza but dd2 is very keen on that.

aubergine parmagiana: www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/aubergine-parmigiana-melanzane-alla-parmigiana

Fritatta: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1162645/ricotta-tomato-and-spinach-frittata - serve with ciabatta and loads of salad

How about risotto balls... Can be made in advance too!

www.ocado.com/webshop/recipe/risotto-balls/1472

What about a mozzarella, basil and tomato salad with a nice dressing?
Very simple, but fresh and lovely and so easy to prep.

Tomato/Mozarella/Avocado Salad?

Melon and parma ham?

My 10 yr old would love either. If you did small amounts of both surely everyone would like at least one? Very easy too.

Minestrone soup? (more hassle though)

Or just crudites/breadsticks/olives and dips?

What about melon and parma ham? Could also do an antipasti platter with cured meats, some bread sticks, olives, sliced mozzarella and tomatoes.

Enjoy, it sounds like a lovely idea.

You could also get come of those lovely italian chocolates call Baci that have little love messages inside (a bit like fortune cookie idea) for after desert.

I was wondering about minestrone or a salad......lots of great ideas though

Aubergines....mmmmm.....risotto balls......mmmmm

Or perhaps anitipasti is the way to go....I have a lovely dish to serve that on

Will be looking for those chocolates!

Yes, I think simple antipasti - not too much work for you and they are bound to like something.

Antipasti is fab. Lots of cheeses (and honey - no, really try it) bread, olives, sundried tomatoes, herby feta, artichoke, more olives, even more olives... Meat if you really must.

Baci are bleeeeurch.

Actually, I really love polenta. Make up the grain and pour into a baking tray (about 1cm deep) to firm up. Cut into slices and griddle, serve with a creamy mushroom sauce.

I also love polenta cake (lemon or orange - even dried strawberry). It is lovely! Very Italian.

My favourite Italian starter is mozzarella sticks, in breadcrumbs, deep fried, with a spicy tomato sauce. Not sure if mozzarella isveggie though - might need to substitute another similar cheese?