Starter suggestions to go with spicy lamb shanks main course?

[CrockedPot]

That's it really, dinner party for four, spicy lamb shanks slow cooked with lentils and fresh greens for main course. I was thinking off risotto, but think it might be too heavy with the main...any ideas?

Main course sounds delicious :-) it'll be quite rich so would go for something light and refreshing - some kind of salad maybe?

I would probably look to something Moroccan, hummus, olives and roasted peppers with bread.

I think so... Maybe a sea food or citrusy type salad? The friends I am cooking for a real foodies, so really want to do them a delicious meal!

Roasted peppers stuffed with cous cous

A seafood ceviche dish would be nice, lots of nice, fresh citrus flavours.

Rents, just googled a few recipes, think it could be a winner!

Though a veggie starter could also work well... Thinking of adding peppers to the lentils with the lamb, so might be a bit samey if do a starter based on them....?m

It works well with bream or seabass. Really good with chilli and lime!

Ceviche a great choice as light. My fail safe starter is blini with sour cream and salmon and a glass of fizz. A salad would be good too. Frisée with walnuts and blue cheese?
Beetroot and fwyta with walnuts?

I was going to suggest harrisa marinated cubes of squash, roasted with garlic and tossed in a salad, maybe with chunks of mozzarella to melt on the squash- but, I think cevice sounds nicer

Since I had DS I don't really do starters any more, as we got into the habit of eating after he went to bed, people were filling up on nibbles anyway, so it always seemed too much.

Really nice nibbles - baked pitta chips (you can make these yourself for added wow factor), humous, olives, that sort of thing would go really well with this and takes away the hassle of doing another course.

i just do bits with drinks - blinis etc

not really a starter

someone will suggest anti pasti soon, they always do

Ottolenghi has a lovely recipe for herb-stuffed tomatoes that are delish, and would be perfect as a starter. Really tasty (olives, onion, garlic, capers & masses of herbs) but v light.

Otherwise something simple but elegant like an avocado & grapefruit salad would be nice.

Am not too sure about seafood & lamb....but that's just me.

ooh lots of lovely suggestions, thank you! Want to try out all of them!