Sunday roast - light starter

[headintheproverbial]

Having people for Sunday lunch this week. I'd usually just do main and pudding but they are kindly bringing the pudding so feel I ought to give them a starter!

As we're having roast beef with all the trimmings I'd like this to be quite light. Any ideas? There are no special dietary requirements.

Had thought maybe a mackerel pate (I can make a decent crusty white loaf). Or any other ideas, ideally make ahead as I'll have enough last minute stuff with the roast?

A simple homemade tomato or carrot soup with crusty bread or a prawn platter?
The simpler the better because you have enough faff with the main!!

What about just nice nibbles, some homemade cheese straws and a roasted tomato salsa? Or tortilla chips with homemade dips?

Sort sort of salad maybe- apple, walnut and blue cheese with a balsamic vinegarette?

That should say some sort of!

Poached pears with blue cheese and maybe nuts. Prepare the day before and quick to assemble.

MrsPest - great minds

I’d just do nibbles and drinks to start. Give yourself a break and enjoy your guests.

low effort dinner parties Jolly. If I am buying and cooking the food, I should enjoy it.

Always a prawn cocktail. Classic.

prawn cocktail
warm salad so some flaked salmon or fish roasted butternut squash and spinach.
bacon wrapped scallops with a lemon and parley butter sauce
how about a broad bean peas and mixed bean salad
tomato bruschetta
mized tomato salad with mozerella
veggie carrot fritters with a poached egg
little filo tarts
garlic mushrooms on toast
leeks or asparagus wrapped in procuitto with goats cheese or mozerella
baked goasts cheese and mini toasts
roasted pepper panzelena

I would just do olives, breads and oils to pick at on the table.

Thank you all. Some great suggestions!

I'm getting the munchies now...

Doing a starter is a nightmare with a roast, I really wouldn't.

Focus on great pre dinner nibbles instead.

Got to be Yorkshire pudding with roast beef.

I'd do nibbles too.

I'd do a starter I could prep in advance...

I'd prob just do some soup in slow cooker and dish it up with crusty bread when guests arrive that way no reheating required

I honestly wouldn't want a starter with a roast, just make sure my glass is filled and maybe some peanuts or crisps on the table I'd be happy

No don't do a starter - give them wine or a cup of tea but a good roast never never needs a starter. I think that's in the bible.

Prawn cocktail with breads and oils
What time shall I come over?

Starter is fine as long as light and not filling...

The issue isn't being full up from the starter, it is about the challenge of finishing a roast at the same time as eating a starter. It all goes horribly wrong in my experience and the cook ends up a flustered mess. (Maybe just me!)

Starter is fine as long as light and not filling... The issue for me is more the faffing involved in multiple courses. Sitting down once and enjoying your guests is so much more relaxing for guests and hosts - unless you have staff. Starters are fine for a restaurant but I think they are a bit much for entertaining. Even the simplest starters involve lots of cutlery, dishes and movement....it interrupts the flow of conversation.

Orangeplastic There is no faffing if you do something easy like home made soup in slow cooker then all you have to do is dish it out with some crusty bread... I did that last time and it worked a treat...