Make ahead starter for 12 people?!

[GreatSoprendo]

Please help! I'm going to a meal (very informal) at someone's house where different people are bringing along the various courses. I have to bring a starter for 12 people. I'm thinking something I can make ahead and take. My time is very limited as I will need to pull it together during my DSs one hour nap tomorrow afternoon, but I can buy ingredients in the morning. Any ideas? Help!

Prawn cocktail
Smoked salmon
Both need brown bread and butter
A tart you can bake ahead and serve cold? Tomato mozzerella and basil?
Soup - homemade leek and potato? Just needs reheating when you get there

I would probably take something like Jamie's fig/mozzarella/Parma ham salad. Assemble the salad on a large platter before you go. Covern with cling film. Put the dressing in a pot and take it separately to drizzle over when you get there. Take some nice bread to serve with it. It's called something like 'the worlds sexiest salad'

That would be very easy.

Or I'd make a couple of tarts, but that would be harder work.

Just googled the fig salad and it looks perfect! Thanks so much!

Oh good! It is really tasty, and does actually look quite impressive for something so simple. It also works for vegetarians. If you know there will be vegetarians there just leave one end of the platter without the Parma ham, or put a small amount on a different plate, without the Parma ham.

I did the Parma ham and fig Jamie Oliver salad, and it went down a storm (and only took me 10 minutes to make too!) Absolutely perfect suggestion and one I will definitely do again - thanks very much bowlersarm

You can make all of this ahead of time:

Chargrill red peppers, place in bag/lidded pot so steam loosens skins, remove skins and seeds, slice in long strips.

Buy delicious French cheese e.g. Saint Nectaire, let it breathe outside and cut a generous slice for each guest.

Make small green salad (NB not bitter leaves).

Dig into cupboard to find pumpkin seed oil and if desperately addicted then balsamic vinegar too.

Assemble thus:

Salad
Then cheese
Then peppers crossways
Then drizzle oil/dressing

Eat outside in the sun.