10+ Starters Recipes to Delight Your Guests

Starters are a great way to begin any meal. They set the tone for what’s to come.

With many options available, you can impress your guests and add excitement to your dining experience. Starters can be simple bites or more elaborate dishes.

You can cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. Explore flavors and techniques to create something everyone will enjoy.

Embrace the fun of cooking as you dive into the world of starters!

1) Smoked Salmon Blinis with Dill Cream

Smoked salmon blinis make a delicious starter for any gathering. These mini pancakes are easy to make and topped with creamy dill sauce.

For the blinis, use flour, milk, and eggs. Mix these ingredients to create a smooth batter.

Cook the batter on a skillet until golden brown. Once the blinis are ready, add a layer of dill cream.

Make the cream with sour cream, dill, and a touch of lemon juice. Top each blini with thin slices of smoked salmon.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 oz smoked salmon
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Fresh dill, chopped
• Lemon juice to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, milk, egg, baking powder, and salt.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add small amounts of batter.
3. Cook blinis until golden brown on both sides.
4. In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, dill, and lemon juice.
5. Top each blini with dill cream and smoked salmon.

2) Roasted Red Pepper and White Bean Dip

This roasted red pepper and white bean dip is creamy and full of flavor. It’s perfect for parties or as a snack at home.

You need just a few simple ingredients. The white beans give it a nice texture, while the roasted red peppers add a delicious taste.

Pair it with fresh veggies or crackers for dipping.

Ingredients

• 2 medium red bell peppers, quartered
• 2 cans white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place red bell peppers on a baking sheet.
3. Roast for about 20 minutes until tender.
4. In a food processor, combine roasted peppers, white beans, olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
5. Blend until smooth.

3) Deviled Cucumbers with Herbs

Deviled cucumbers with herbs are a fresh and tasty starter. They are light and perfect for any gathering.

Slice mini cucumbers and hollow them out. Mix cream cheese with fresh herbs like dill and chives.

Add salt and pepper for extra flavor. Fill the cucumber halves with the creamy herb mixture.

Serve these deviled cucumbers chilled for a refreshing bite.

Ingredients

• 12 mini cucumbers
• 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice mini cucumbers in half lengthwise.
2. Hollow out the center of each half.
3. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, dill, chives, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill cucumber halves with the cream cheese mixture.
5. Chill before serving.

4) Seared Beef and Tapenade Crostini

Seared beef and tapenade crostini make a delicious starter for any gathering. The crispy bread topped with juicy beef and flavorful tapenade offers a wonderful taste.

Start with high-quality beef fillet. Season it well and sear it on high heat until it’s cooked to your liking.

Aim for medium-rare, about 130°F (54°C). For the tapenade, blend olives, capers, and garlic until smooth.

Spread the tapenade over toasted baguette slices. Top each slice with the seared beef.

Ingredients

• Beef fillet (300-350g)
• Salt and black pepper
• Olive oil
• Baguette, sliced
• Tapenade ingredients: olives, capers, garlic

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the beef fillet with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan and sear the beef for 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Let the beef rest.
4. Toast baguette slices until golden.
5. Blend olives, capers, and garlic for tapenade.
6. Spread tapenade on each toasted slice.
7. Slice the beef and place it on top of the tapenade.

5) Tandoori Prawn Tacos with Mango Salsa

Tandoori prawn tacos are a spicy twist on a classic dish. These tacos are quick to make and full of flavor.

Marinate the prawns in a tandoori spice mix with yogurt. This gives them a vibrant color and delicious taste.

Cook the prawns until they’re tender. Serve the prawns in warm tortillas with mango salsa.

The salsa adds a sweet and tangy taste that balances the spiciness of the prawns.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons tandoori spice mix
• 1 tablespoon yogurt
• 4 tortillas
• 1 cup diced mango
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the prawns with tandoori spices and yogurt.
2. Let them marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook the prawns for 3-4 minutes until done.
5. In another bowl, combine mango, onion, and lime juice to make salsa.
6. Warm the tortillas in the skillet.
7. Fill each tortilla with prawns and top with mango salsa.
8. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

6) Creamy Burrata with Cherry Tomatoes

This dish features creamy burrata cheese with sweet cherry tomatoes. It’s a simple and elegant starter.

Roast the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 400°F (200°C) until soft. Place the warm tomatoes on a plate.

Tear the burrata and add it to the tomatoes. The creamy cheese blends with the juicy tomatoes.

Garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Serve with crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces burrata cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Balsamic vinegar for drizzling
• Crusty bread for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until soft.
4. Arrange roasted tomatoes on a plate.
5. Tear burrata and place it over the tomatoes.
6. Garnish with fresh basil and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
7. Serve with crusty bread.

7) Courgette Flowers Stuffed with Ricotta

Courgette flowers are a delightful way to impress your guests. Stuffed with creamy ricotta, they make a lovely starter.

Gently open the zucchini flowers. Fill them with the ricotta mixture, enhanced with herbs and lemon zest.

You can fry or bake the stuffed flowers. Frying gives a crispy texture, while baking keeps them lighter.

Ingredients

• 10 courgette flowers
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup grated cheese (like Parmesan)
• Fresh herbs (such as basil or parsley)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for frying or baking

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) if baking.
2. Gently open the zucchini flowers.
3. Mix ricotta, grated cheese, herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Stuff the mixture into each flower.
5. If frying, heat oil in a pan. Fry until golden brown.
6. If baking, place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for about 15 minutes.

8) French Onion Dip Cups

French onion dip cups are a delicious and easy starter. They are perfect for parties or casual get-togethers.

Start with caramelized onions and mix them with cheese. Spoon the filling into small cups.

Use phyllo cups for a flaky texture or mini pastry shells. Serve them warm for the best flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 Vidalia onions, sliced thinly
• 1/3 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Phyllo cups or pastry shells

Cooking Instructions

1. Sauté the onions in olive oil until caramelized.
2. Mix the caramelized onions with garlic, thyme, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella.
3. Fill the phyllo cups with the mixture.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes.

9) Spaghetti with Prawns and Rocket

This dish is quick and full of flavor. You’ll enjoy the combination of prawns, fresh rocket, and pasta.

Cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, sauté garlic and chili in olive oil.

Add the prawns and cook until they turn pink. Toss in the rocket just before serving.

Mix everything with the spaghetti. Add a splash of white wine for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 400g spaghetti
• 200g raw prawns, peeled
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1-2 dried red chilies, crumbled
• 100ml extra virgin olive oil
• 100g fresh rocket
• 50ml white wine (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until tender.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and chili, then sauté until fragrant.
4. Add prawns and cook until they turn pink.
5. Stir in rocket and wine, if you are using it.
6. Mix with drained spaghetti and serve.

10) Aubergine Parmigiana Bites

Aubergine Parmigiana Bites make a great starter for any gathering. These bites are crispy outside and tender inside.

Serve them with marinara sauce for dipping. You will need fresh aubergines, breadcrumbs, and cheese to prepare them.

Layer the ingredients for extra flavor and texture. Bake them instead of frying for a lighter snack.

Ingredients

• 2 medium aubergines, sliced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Slice the aubergines and sprinkle them with salt. Let them sit for 20 minutes to draw out moisture.

3. Rinse the slices. Pat them dry.

4. Dip each slice in olive oil. Coat each slice with breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan.

5. Bake the slices in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove them when they turn golden brown.

6. Serve the slices with warm marinara sauce for dipping.