Five minutes is all you need to whip up this creamy fish dish, great served as a dip or starter
Author: Barney Desmazery
Start your Indian meal in style with Meena Pathak's tangy dip - serve with plain poppadums
Author: Good Food team
Using mild cheese means everyone in the family can enjoy this classic starter
A quintessentially Sicilian veggie dish of aubergines, tomatoes, raisins, capers and pine nuts - serve with toasted ciabatta
Author: John Torode
Bring a Spanish flavour to the table with this intense, smoky starter. Just add crusty bread to serve
If you love liver parfait, try Gordon Ramsay's step-by-step recipe to get a rich, silky smooth result
Author: Gordon Ramsay
Stuffing the cavity of a halved avocado has to be one of the easiest ways to serve it, and this crab filling can be made ahead
Swap prawn and iceberg lettuce for crabmeat, crunchy raw fennel and avocado, topped with classic Marie Rose sauce
Author: James Martin
A soufflé to start always gives your dinner party a 'wow' factor and this make-ahead recipe gives you more time to be the perfect host
Author: Sara Buenfeld
Try an authentic version of this classic Chinese takeaway dish, with natural sweetness and a warm chilli flavour to spice things up
These non-scary, freezer-friendly soufflés can be baked ahead, then reheated in the oven before serving
This speedy salad can be whipped up as an impressive starter - the fish is completely lifted by contrasting flavours
A hot grill is the key to success here - crisp bacon and a succulent scallop. A classic that everyone should try
Author: Mary Cadogan
Crack the buttery crust to reveal delicious blue cheese flavoured with sherry and green peppercorns - it's great on toast
Author: Cassie Best
This stunning starter can be assembled ahead, then topped with dressed leaves just before serving.
This simple breaded cheese can be made ahead and frozen, ready to use as a starter for a dinner party with friends
With a double layer of goat's cheese and a coating of cream, these bistro-style bakes are authentically rich
Cook scallops in the professional way then plate up restaurant-style with breadcrumbs and a smear of vegetable purée
Grilled chicken kebab skewers marinated in fragrant Asian spices make the perfect easy canapé
Author: Caroline Hire - Food writer
Angela Nilsen applies her magic touch to the infamously tricky soufflé - this low-fat version is incredibly easy and can be prepared ahead
Author: Angela Nilsen
Fresh-tasting rice paper rolls packed with shellfish, light vermicelli noodles, carrots, cucumber and herbs, with a sweet ginger chilli dipping sauce
A fresh, seasonal starter that's simple to make and looks pretty on the plate
Pear, blue cheese and toasted nuts is a combination made in heaven
Creamy coconut broth with plump orange mussels makes an easy but impressive starter for two
Use bulgur wheat as the base for this Middle Eastern salad of superhealthy greens, feta cheese and spices
Follow our step-by-step guide to plating up this elegant bistro-style dish of homemade paté and fragrant leaf salad
The rich basil sauce helps balance the tangy ricotta and earthy mushroom flavours of this easy vegetarian starter
This comforting snack is super-quick and easy, perfect for suppertime snacking.
Earthy beetroot works perfectly with creamy goat's cheese for an easy but impressive starter
This French-inspired warming soup uses chutney to add a delicious sweetness
Vanilla pairs beautifully with the creamy mellow flavour of cauliflower and the sweetness of caramelised scallops
Author: Maria Elia
A traditional starter dish infused with the tastes of Italy - perfect with warmed bread
This no-cook starter is easy, impressive and a deliciously fresh way to start a meal
Gordon's make-ahead terrine is the perfect starter when you're entertaining a crowd
This is called Kashmiri tamatari ghosht and is a traditional favourite, especially served with Indian bread and basmati rice
Seafood matches perfectly with bittersweet citrus fruit, like pomelo or grapefuit. Add chilli and a tamarind dressing for a bold Thai salad
Author: Jane Hornby
Rustle up these Asian inspired noodle and edamame bean lettuce cups for a low-calorie dinner - ready in half an hour
Upgrade this simple starter to a dinner party main with a splash of dry sherry and a bed of spaghetti
Author: Silvana Franco
These Indian-flavoured salmon and haddock breaded patties can be made in batches and frozen
Author: Roopa Gulati
These are some of the quickest canapes to make, but are best made to order to prevent the poppadoms from going soft
These double-baked cheese and mushroom soufflés, from Mary Berry's BBC2 series Simple Comforts, are deliciously luxurious. They're served in a creamy...
Author: Mary Berry
Simply plonk this in the middle of the table and let your friends get to work, with chunks of bread for scooping
Author: Sarah Cook
Ever the versatile fish, this fresh, no-cook salmon starter can be made a few days ahead
Author: Matt Tebbutt
This help-yourself veggie starter of tempura-like lightly battered cauliflower is also good as a nibble with drinks
Rustle up a luxurious, romantic (and speedy!) starter for two with fresh scallops, prawns and hot chilli
This orange Mojo sauce is great for marinading meat - serve as a snack with cooling beer cocktails or make more substantial with flatbreads and salad
You can prepare all the elements of this stylish starter a few hours ahead, so you can be cool and collected on the night
An elegant no-cook starter or special light lunch packed with crunch and earthy flavours
This impressive starter is perfect for entertaining guests and can be made ahead for extra ease
Good Food reader, Charlie, shares her seasonal, summer starter