Need simple make ahead start for informal supper please

[hmc]

5 guests over tomorrow - one is gluten intolerant. Have my main course and pudding sorted but would love suggestions for a 'make ahead' starter (I don't like to be cooking once the guests have arrived)

Thanks x

Pina colada parfait

600 ml double cream

250 ml coconut eam

Zest and Juice of 2 limes

100 grams caster sugar

Whisk sugar and cream till stiff peaks

Pour in coconut cream and lime, rewhisk till soft peaks.

Clingfilm a tin pour the mixture in and freeze. Serve with fresh pineapple.

Optional, 1 tablespoon of malibu when you add the lime

Could you make some gluten-free bread and serve with olive oil + balsamic, with olives etc to pick at? Quite nice at start of relaxed type meal i think, as everyone dives in and helps themselves.

Or maybe a really nice french onion soup - not too much though as is suprisingly filling!

I am a twat. I thought you needed a pudding!!

Just ignore me

mozzerella, tomatoes and basil. Slice thickly and drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Can also add meat like parma ham/proscutto as well and bread on the side (so the un-gluten people can choose not to have it).

Mind you, your recipe sounds completely fab, Alouiseg!

fresh pears sliced up on a bed of rocket.. then mash together cream and stilton to make a dressing to pour over .. totally gorgeous

These are great - keep 'em coming (I'll print this off to give further choices for next time too)

ZZMum - I'm not a pear person, but my guests are and can imagine them embracing that starter! ...thickie question, best to peel the sliced pear or leave peel on?

I leave the skin on - keeps the juice in and is healthy compared to the dressing! Not mad on pears myself but the combination really works ..

What about some dishes with different things in - olives, dips, nuts etc

What about some dishes with different things in - olives, dips, nuts etc

Or some nice breads e.g. focaccia, sundried tomato bread, nice olive oil and tapanade?

You might need to watch things like dips and tapanade with the gluten-free. And i've never seen gluten-free focaccia etc, obviously unless you made yourself?

Bagna cauda or other gutsy dip with lots of seasonal raw veg. we have lots of weeny pea pods in the veg patch atm that are perfect for this sort of thing.

....and you could do flatbreads to dip in for the others that aren't gluten intolerant