Starter to go with roast lamb Sunday lunch?

[PinkDaffodil2]

Hi everyone, I’m doing Sunday lunch for 8 adults this weekend - planning on roast leg of lamb with traditional sides, maybe plumb crumble for pudding but stuck for a starter that’s either very easy or make ahead so I’m not stuck in the kitchen.
I think I’m drawing a blank because it has to have no pork or shellfish and also be ok for pregnancy, and that’s pretty much all my standard starters gone!
Any ideas?

A nice soup? Mushroom or tomato perhaps as the main is meaty. If you're looking for ease I'd cheat and buy some cartons of posh soup and grind black pepper on top of either of those, sprig of basil on the tomato and croutons on the side (less filling than a hunk of bread)

Leek & potato soup. Make ahead & warm on the day with bread rolls

Do you need a starter? The main and dessert sound filling enough to me. :-)

Baked Brie?

Soup, nachos, ratitoullie and bread rolls, melon, salad

Agree a nice soup. Watercress? (I love leek and potato but would have leeks with the lamb.)

Hummus and pita chips. A good ready made hummus, plate it up and drizzle some olive oil on and black pepper. One plate and one basket of pita chips between 4, people love the social aspect of this dish.

Twice-baked cheese soufflés: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1913651/twicebaked-cheese-souffls

You can prep them a day in advance or even bake from frozen. Light and delicious.

Grilled aubergine with honey, chilli and thyme served with sourdough toast

Egg mayonnaise/devilled eggs

Roast tomatoes and yogurt or mozzarella with nice bread

Roast spiced butternut squash with tahini yogurt

Melon balls

Soup

Sweet potato fritters

Quail eggs with celery salt

Stuffed peppers

Garlic mushrooms on toast

I honestly don't think you want a starter with that meal, for two reasons, firstly too much food, and secondly you won't be able to finish off your veg and gravy for the main without leaving guests at the table for a long time.

I would do some great canapés with aperitifs then go straight to the main course instead.

(The soufflé recipe linked to above is what I would also have suggested if i thought a starter was a good idea by the way, it is gorgeous and perfect for pre ahead)

Smoked mackerel pate.

Thank you everyone! Some awesome ideas that I’m certainly going to find more reasons to make :)
I agree it is quite a heavy meal so now leaning towards canapés - maybe smoked mackerel pate on pieces of chard - but I’m going to look up watercress soup which I’ve not had before but sounds quite light.
I’d actually seen the twice baked soufflé recipe but got scared off at all the steps, might revisit that though

Canapés

Smoked salmon blinis
Brie & cranberry on crackers
Crab/Ready made prawn cocktail on crostini

Simple

Have fun

Some bowls of olives, baby mozzarella and cherry tomatoes on skewers, smoked mackerel pate in little gem leaves, quail's eggs with celery salt and baby bruschetta would make nice little canapes

baked goats cheese with toast brioche
creamy leeks on toast
garlic mushrrom on toast
roasted veggied tartlets.
winter veg soup
fish cake
smoked salmon on rosti.optional poached egg.

If you decide to go starter.
Try Delia slow roasted tomatoes with some good oil and bread

Simple and one of my favourite things in the world to eat.

Wouldn't do a starter, it's too much fuss...a few nibbles to go with pre-dinner drinks - like savoury popcorn, olives, nuts etc