When you are going out for a full meal it's good to treat yourself. Even if you are eating in or cooking a special meal for your partner or family turn an ordinary meal into a special occasion by having a three course meal. Starters can be as minimal or indulgent as you like.
The following starters can accompany a range of dishes and can be created with a range of ingredients to create vegetarian or low carb alternatives.
Starter Salads
Salads are the perfect starter for a range of meals. Salads can be adapted to include a range of tastes and flavours, some healthy others a compromise of indulgence mixed with vegetables. A lot of this can vary depending on the vinaigrette and choice of sauces and garnishes added.
The following salads cover a host of food groups;
- Rich in antioxidants, Green Salads are a good all round option. They can be easily combined with chicken or grated cheese to create a starter with variety and texture.
- Great for a snack, Potato Salads can give you a burst of carbohydrates at anytime of the day. Ready to eat hot or cold and good for sharing.
- If you are looking for a snack or a full meal, Pasta Salads can be adapted to suit any meal time. For an indulgent yet filling option try macaroni salad. The protein from the cheese combined with the carbohydrates of the pasta gives a boost to help you through the day.
Soup for a Starter
Soups are a versatile option ready to enjoy at any point in the day. Although some stocks such as meat stocks may take a long time to prepare the finished dish can be preserved by either freezing it or keeping it chilled. Soups can be made from almost any ingredients and most recipes are open to changes to suit different palates.
Popular soups to order out or enjoy at home include;
- Minestrone Soup is a classic Italian starter dish that can be made from a number of combinations of ingredients. Minestrone is commonly made from a meat stock such as beef. Small pasta shells and pieces of celery are often added to absorb the flavour and add a little more texture to the soup.
- For a more luxurious choice Lobster Soup is highly recommended. The soup is usually made from chicken stock with milk and butter added to thicken the mixture. Onions, celery and parsley can also be included to add more flavour.
- A traditional Chinese appetiser, Miso Soup is a common fixture found on many menus. There are many different variants of the recipe using different ingredients. Ready made miso pastes are available in a range of colours which have flavours derived from different combinations of spices. Seaweed and fish are also often included to add more texture and variety to the dish.