Lettuce soup is a fantastic way to use up lettuce - or any other salad leaves - that might otherwise be wasted. Lovely served hot and equally good chilled for a light summery meal.
Author: Justine Pattison
Flaky, buttery cheese straws are a party hit with kids and grown-ups. Crank up the mustard and pepper if you want more zing.
Author: Jenny White
Homemade onion bhajis are well worth the effort, they're great as a starter for an Indian feast.
Author: BBC Food
Make this simple tart in the summer when tomatoes are at their best. Serve with a green salad for a quick lunch.
Author: Merrilees Parker
If you have been anywhere by the sea in the Yucatan peninsula you will have had these deep-fried king prawns with a coconut batter. Curiously to me, they often come with an apple sauce, but less frequently...
Author: Rick Stein
Cheese straws are in my top ten all-time favourite recipes and are easy to make. For a little extra spice, sprinkle on some paprika or cayenne.
Author: Lorraine Pascale
A savoury parmesan biscuit is just the thing for a drinks and nibbles party, and these are really easy to whip up. Who needs more of an excuse?
Author: Rick Stein
A jar of this fresh-tasting smoked mackerel pâté is great to serve as a starter or to pack for a picnic. This no-cook starter is unbelievably easy to whizz up and costs very little.
Author: Valentine Warner
Crab cakes are quick to put together and make great party food or starters, plus this chilli jam will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.
Author: The Hairy Bikers
Serve a rougher blend of this smoked salmon pâté as a starter with salad and oatcakes or blend a bit longer for elegant canapés.
Author: Juliette Lawrence Wilson
These tapas make the most of the chorizo's smoky flavour. All they need is some bread, slices of Manchego cheese and a glass of sherry.
Author: Mark Sargeant
These "Gambas al ajilo" are great served as part of a tapas selection. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices.
Author: Rebecca Simpson-Hargreaves
Done right, a prawn cocktail is a beautiful Christmas starter - and John Torode's the man to show you how.
Author: John Torode
Give your prawns a piri-piri kick with chilli, ginger and paprika. Serve with a cold beer as a simple starter.
Author: BBC Food
Treat yourself and a loved one to luxurious lobster thermidor served with matchstick fries.
Author: James Martin
There's a reason why mushroom vol-au-vents - crisp, golden puff pastry with a creamy filling - will always be popular: they're delicious! Serve them as a first course or light lunch - or see the recipe...
Author: Angela Hartnett
If you're expecting guests this Christmas Eve, the smell of these little pastries bubbling in the oven will tempt and tease the taste buds.
Author: Nigel Slater
Devilled kidneys are best served on buttered toast, for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Author: BBC Food
Layers of spinach, crispy bacon, whole prawns and cheesy breadcrumb combine to make an irresistible 'surf and turf' starter.
Author: Catherine Fulvio
Mary Berry's red pepper, cheese and chive tartlets taste as good as they look. They're a great addition to any afternoon tea gathering or buffet party. Equipment: you will need two 12-hole bun tins and...
Author: Mary Berry
These chicken satay skewers are perfect party food. Give them a few hours to absorb the flavours of the spicy marinade, then pop them under a hot grill or on the barbecue until golden. For this recipe...
Author: Hala El-Shafie
Author: Nick Nairn
A comforting classic, this easy potato soup uses a handful of store cupboard ingredients to great effect.
Author: Darina Allen
These terrines are perfect for keeping in the fridge over the festive period for an impromptu snack. They'd be delicious with a pear, fig chutney or Cumberland sauce. For this recipe you will need, 8 x...
Author: Michel Roux
Mary Berry's easy salmon tarts make a lovely and light starter for Christmas Day. They look really pretty as well as being suitable to make in advance. For this recipe you will need two 4-hole Yorkshire...
Author: Mary Berry
With their tasty glaze, these chicken teriyaki skewers make a fab first course or party nibble. You can get ahead by preparing the sauce, threading the chicken onto the skewers and toasting the sesame...
Author: Angela Hartnett
Author: Gino D'Acampo
This smooth, creamy cauliflower soup is a soothing and luxurious winter dish that can easily be jazzed up for guests.
Author: James Martin
You can make your own Thai red curry paste for these fish cakes if you wish but you can get away with a good-quality bought one. The secret to forming the quite sloppy mixture is wet hands - honest it...
Author: The Hairy Bikers
Author: Nigel Slater
Cook this sophisticated starter for a romantic dinner for two. Use the best quality prawns that you can afford to make this extra special.
Author: Danny Millar
Our vegan croque monsieur is a tasty plant-based spin of the classic French toast, made with smoky eggplant slices, vegan cheese, and wholemeal bread.
Author: Foodaciously
Made in a flash, bake a big batch of these black bean tortilla chips with chia. Just two wholesome ingredients for a healthy on-the-go snack in 130kcal.
Author: Foodaciously
These barbecue prawns boast a delectable marinade - and the butter sauce adds extra indulgence.
Author: James Martin
This brightly coloured dish makes an excellent starter that is appealing to vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Author: Pippa Middlehurst
Author: Ching-He Huang
This simple blini recipe is easy to follow, just add the topping of your choice.
Author: BBC Food
Cooling the quails' eggs and peeling them immediately will help ensure a neat finish. But that's the only fiddly part to this dainty and delicious starter.
Author: Mary Berry
Simon Hopkinson's recipe for scallops will have you devouring every morsel from the plate.
Author: Simon Hopkinson
Author: Mitch Tonks
Italian vegetables are deep-fried in a crisp batter and served with a fresh dressing - try this as an informal starter that everyone can tuck into.
Author: Theo Randall
This dish makes a great dinner party starter. Serve on a large plater with the salad on the side for sharing.
Author: Silvena Rowe
Sausage rolls get a kick from Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. Whip them up for a party and watch them disappear in a flash.
Author: Simon Rimmer
This quintessentially French savoury pastry can be filled with anything you like and looks sensational.
Author: The Hairy Bikers
This rillettes recipe makes a fantastic starter served with toast and is a great addition to any picnic or buffet. Equipment and preparation: you will need a spice grinder, a heavy-bottomed pan (preferably...
Author: Toby Gritten
The combination of spicy chorizo and chilli with creamy scallops and a touch of honey gives this easy starter a sensational flavour.
Author: Ian Taylor
There are no end of varieties of hummus in the supermarket. This one is loaded with sweet roasted red pepper, making it much lighter. This recipe, if served as eight portions, provides 67kcal, 3g protein,...
Author: BBC Food