Dinner party starter ideas

[WeAreTheHeroes]

I'm after some inspiration - preferably naturally dairy free iykwim so I can do the same dish for everyone.

Depends what is the main?

French onion soup made with vegetable stock, very popular with my friends

Honeydew melon, finely sliced and wrapped in Parma Ham. Simple but utterly delicious. Sweet and salty. The two combined do something magic to each other so that the taste is above and beyond the sum of its parts.

Carrot soup, spiced with ginger, coriander, paprika. Top with chives or pancetta.

Chicken satay.
Pate and melba toast
Sorbet
Griddled scallops served with black pudding and an apple gel
Nachos (without cheese)
Roast tomato soup with bacon
Loads of things actually. Is there a theme or style to the overall menu? What main are you serving?

It very much depends on the other courses.

When I used to have dinner parties, I always made a cold starter & pud as the main course usually took up all the oven & hob spaces & required much attention.

Scollops are surprisingly easy. I got mine frozen in sainsburies.

Just pan fry for a couple of minutes on each side to get colour.

I do mine on carrot puree with butter to deglaze the pan and make a butter dressing using a squeeze of lemon. Dress with bacon bits and micro greens.

Definitely depends on other courses as you'd not want a vegetable soup followed by a vegetable casserole or smoked salmon followed by salmon.
Also depends how much work you want to do and budget.

Crab cakes with sweet chilli or mackerel fillets with confit rhubarb take a bit more effort than a good smoked salmon with horseradish cream. Pished Fish do best smoked salmon, ever in interesting flavours that are easy to make into very attractive starters.
Soups are easy to do ahead warming and filling but most require dairy.
A homemade pork terrine can be done well ahead. Just serve with melba toast.

You could go retrotastic and do a good old prawn cocktail!

or a simple cold one. Mezze plate for the centre of the table.

Dipping bowl of hummous/babaganoush
Surround with leaves, diced tomato, olives, cucumber, pomegranate seeds and pitta bread. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic.

Thank you for the suggestions. I did a prawn gratin last year and have done prawn cocktail in the past. Scallops could be a good one - black pudding and chorizo both go well with them. I won't be making a butter sauce though! Soup doesn't float my boat, but crab cakes sound lovely. I'm prepared to push the boat out for a special occasion.

I haven't decided on anything for the meal yet - once I've got the starter it'll go from there. I have a guest with CMPA to cater and prefer to cook the same things for everyone.

Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto

Crab tian is even easier and impressive to look at.

Baby squid stuffed with rice and chorizo, simmered in tomato/wine sauce. It's really easy, and useful to make ahead (rice goes in raw), then just cook really slowly for an hour or so before guests arrive. It'll hold for 30 or so.

How about...
www.godairyfree.org/recipes/spinach-stuffed-portobello-mushrooms

Salmon fishcakes.

Mix a supermarket salmon mouse with mashed potato, brush with butter and oven bake.

Filo parcels always look good and you can do 2 or 3 different fillings. Shreded chicken with mango chutney, mushrooms, smoked salmon, pate...

Does the 'dairy free' person eat cheese? I'm lactose intolerant but I can manage cheese.

Dried apricots
piece of brie
streaky bacon

soak the apricots over night, they will swell up and look a bit like egg yolks.

There is a slit in them, poke a bit of brie in there wrap in the bacon and oven bake for 10 mins.

I've only done brie but you could try something non dairy.

I don’t think meal planning from the starter forwards works as easily as starting with the main course. Personally I like starters that slightly irritate you with their tiny size and are extremely light but tasty.

Ah, so maybe

ideas for amuse bouche here

www.masterclass.com/articles/amuse-bouche-guide

This is good, I 'butter' the prosciutto with Dijon mustard.

We've done a crab and avocado salad served with a spicy Bloody Mary shot (works with or without the vodka) that was really well received

And cold and easy to prep in advance.

If you can get some fresh burata that's lovely served with honey and a few walnuts

Meet and greet.

Some good ideas - thanks everyone.

@sashh - they have CMPA as stated so no, they don't eat cheese.

@Hobbesmanc - burata won't work as we have a guest with CMPA.... I like your Bloody Mary shot idea.

@Itisbetter - each to their own!

@j712adrian - sarcasm or just lost in translation?

I'm serving nibbles with drinks beforehand so thanks for the apricot idea @sashh. I've done devils on horseback in the past. Nigella's cocktail sausages baked with cranberry or soy and honey always go down well.

I think starters in the restaurant are just about fine but for home cooking, they are a bit annoying as a guest and a host - too much faff - serve nibbles and drinks when everyone arrives and then serve your guests mains and relax and enjoy their company.

Each to their own - it's our tradition and the only time we have a starter. Plenty of people serve a starter with Christmas dinner, which is arguably the one meal you don't need it with.

I think I'd have a nod towards the season. Asparagus isn't seasonal. Squash and mushrooms are.

You could go for a warm squash salad, maybe with lentils, and decent bread on the side. Or something involving root vegetables.

This is very, very good, and vegan, so definitely dairy free. Needs bread or crackers with it. itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/vegan-mushroom-walnut-pate/