Vegetarian starter for special birthday lunch

[wentmadinthecountry]

Mumsnet has helped me out before with all things vegetarian so I have high hopes!

Lunch next Sunday - my dad volunteered to pay for lunch out as it's my 55th birthday then my step mother's 93rd birthday the following day. Will cost a fortune with our 4 (3 of them adult plus partners) so I am cooking. Dd1 and her bf are vegetarian so I thought an elegant vegetarian starter for everyone would be in order - there will be 11 of us. Main courses are fine because I'm doing 3 things. Ideally something that doesn't take too much last minute faffing as it's my birthday too. Lots of willing helpers (dcs who normally live the other side of the country) but more champagne, less chopping, more prep the day before or early morning would be good. I'd rather avoid mushrooms as I'm planning on a mushroom wellington as a main course.

Please don't say that lovely Bosh vegetable tart - looked pretty Jackson Pollock when I tried to make it!! I'm a pretty good cook, just a rather impatient one.

Thank you!

[wentmadinthecountry]

Sounds delicious!

[YahBasic]

Goats cheese and roasted vegetable stacks with a honey mustard drizzle.

We had these as the starter at our (French) wedding and they were incredible! I make them at least once a month now at home

[wentmadinthecountry]

I'm not really a fan of serving soup to people - not sure why. I often make it but think of it as a lunch thing not a starter. I appreciate I am probably odd... Maybe it's because I eat it at work for lunch so often?

[JennyHolzersGhost]

I think I would probably do soup if you’re doing three big main courses and it’s meant to be fairly traditional.

[wentmadinthecountry]

Such clever people! Mumsnet to my rescue again.

Will try the twice baked souffles tomorrow, but none of the recipes and ideas will go to waste I promise!

Thank you.

[foodiefil]

Marinated beetroot, grilled goats cheese and toasted walnut salad

Delicious and extremely simple

Dressing:

3 parts oil to 1 part red wine vinegar

1 crushed garlic clove

1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

Fresh thyme leaves

Seasoning

Whisk

Marinate beetroot wedges in that (the vacuum pack beetroot) then top with a slice of grilled goats cheese and drizzle with balsamic glaze

Watch the beetroot under the grill so it doesn't burn

Toast walnuts in a pan and put on top

Deeeeeelicious

[Pasithea]

Do a different soup. Like apple and carrot or apple and parsnip or pears.

[AdaColeman]

You need something that can easily be put together, and prepared in advance, as you are serving 11 adults, so I'd do something cold, especially as your main dishes are all hot, also you might not have free oven or stove top space.
Also, it would be nice if it was a bit celebratory.
I'd do individual plates each with a slice of vegetable terrine (perhaps a layer of broccoli and a layer of courgette) surrounded by halved hard boiled quail eggs. You could serve dressing separately and also shot glasses of chilled Bloody Mary or soup such as asparagus. You could also use asparagus as a garnish.

[MsRinky]

Oh clever people have already suggested twice-baked souffles, I agree! Delicious and people always love them.

[Chewbecca]

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3492/doublebaked-cheddar-souffls

Yes - as recommended already - twice baked soufflés. Really delicious, make im advance, feel special.

[FelicisWolf]

Tomato bruschetta? Simple and not stodgy if you're having a big main. Get some nice big (or various different ones/colours if you're feeling fancy) tomatoes, dunk them in boiling water for a few seconds then run them under cold. Their skins will peel off, then cut the flesh into small chunks, discarding the seeds. Finely dice some red onion and mix together with some olive oil, red wine vinegar and basil. Do this in advance to let the tomatoes soak up the flavours of the vinaigrette. Then when it comes to it, slice a couple of ciabatta loaves, drizzle olive oil on them and put them under the grill for a couple of mins to toast. Put the pre-done tomato mixture on and drizzle some balsamic glaze over. Delish!

[NannyR]

balsamic red onion and goats cheese tarts I've made these a couple of times, they taste good, look impressive and are very easy to make. I slice the onions in a food processor then make the onion filling in advance and use ready made puff pastry.

[PurpleDaisies]

fishcakes

In what way are these vegetarian?

[Etino]

Very very easy-
Rocquefort pear pinenut salad.
Roast the pinenuts and make a salad with chicory grated carrots and the above chopped up

[FurryGiraffe]

Twice baked cheese soufflés- small ones in ramekins. Cook them the day before, then all you need to do on the day is plonk them in the oven for fifteen minutes to puff up again.

[TwoGinScentedTears]

Can't go wrong with Ottolenghi, this is quite 'posh': poached baby vegetables with caper mayonnaise

[CatnissEverdene]

This is fab with flatbreads/crudites to share?
www.rivercottage.net/recipes/cambodian-wedding-day-dip

Or this one
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2837666/butternut-and-harissa-houmous

[kateandme]

fishcakes.
vegetable stacks
cheese and mustard leeks.
asparagus with poached eggs.
rosti/carrot fritter/with salad and poached egg
mezze salad with warm grain or potatos.
garlic green beans and broccoli.
sweet potato stuffed halves.
sweet potatos sliders topped with a pepper.tomato,onions mashup

[2cats2many]

I would just do a platter of antipasti. Nice cheeses, breads,.olives, sun-dried tomatoes, cold meats, artichokes, etc. Let people help themselves over drinks then sit down for lunch.

[leaveby10]

I would not do a starter - they are too much fuss for home cooking! Restaurants do starters because it gives them time to cook your main course, at home you don't have that issue. I would serve nibbles with drinks when people arrive.

[myrtleWilson]

This is served in a v good restaurant near me - would it work do you think?
www.appetitemag.co.uk/whipped-feta-on-toast-with-pear-pea-shoots-and-toasted-seeds/

[CrispbuttyNo1]

I did sweet corn and spring onion fritters for a dinner party last night

[wentmadinthecountry]

Wow! All those responses while I typed and listened to dd!! Will keep all these ideas in mind now dd1 is vegetarian!

[wentmadinthecountry]

Not entirely decided - thinking very very slow roasted lamb, boeuf bourgignon and mushroom wellington. Semi formal - nice clothes, nice drinks and food. Don't like odd numbers though for table setting. Will be a bit of a push round the table. Not too casual as dsm is French as well as being 93 and quite well dragged up!

[PurpleDaisies]

Forgot about fritters. Love those. Sweetcorn fritters with spicy tomato chutney is my favourite.