Starters! - dinner party

[KarateKitten]

Any ideas? Something that looks s but fancy but doesn't take time after guests arrive. Not a mezze platter as I'm doing a meat mezze for main.

Warm goats cheese salad, with strawberries and balsamic vinegar?

How about a trio of dips - hummus, baba ganoush, taramasalata with olives and really good quality pitta bread

Individual caramelised onion & goats cheese tartlets? You an make everything in advance then assemble and sling in the oven for 10 mins. Serve with a rocket salad.

I love a prawn cocktail. Can look lovely and easily prepared in advance.

If you are doing a meat mezzenmain how about a sweet potato falafel with mini flat breads and herb yoghurt

Diced black pudding, briefly fried, served on a bed of interesting leaves with a garnish of pomegranate seeds.

Or a Waldorf style salad with flakes of smoked trout served with horseradish dressing.