Starters

Gingernutmeg

Galia melon slices with a couple of slices of parma ham ... a couple of slices of smoked salmon with a slice of buttered brown bread ... a little dish of olives ... just a spoonful of a nice meat or fish pate with bread or toast ... a little dish of potted cheese (grated cheshire - or stilton if you like it - mashed up with a little dash of white wine or sherry, spoonful of melted butter and a pinch of ground mace) with a couple of crackers or toast ...

(potted cheese gets better the longer you keep it - just seal the top with a little more melted butter - take this off before you eat it and keep it in the fridge. It looks realy pretty if you press a couple of grape halves into the butter, or some fresh herb leaves. It's also better if, when you serve it, it's not fridge cold)

Side dishes for the main meal ... you can't really beat some nice plain veg, like broccoli or green beans. For something a littel fancier, I love butternut squash cut into thick chips, tossed in a little oil and some cajun spice - just roast until they're a little bit toasty and nice and soft.

Noctu

Oh thank you essexgal, the melon sounds lovely!! And thinking about it, easy to do - no waiting around for it to cook and timing the whole thing

Michaela, he also loves pate but I've never tried it.. hmm.. choices!

rach

you can do a great one with pears and proscuttio (though not all that OS!)

from what i can remember you peel and core the pears, wrap the proscuttio type stuff around them, drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven

serve with a little bit of salad leaves and a bit of goat's cheese.

you could just do one pear between you

MadCowMan

Michaela wrote:

Starter patti (sp) with toast and a bit of salad?

extra credit - use a biscuit cutter and make heart shaped toasts

Noctu

Oh Rach (another one! ) how long would I need to bake the pears?

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, this is last year's Valentine's thread.

HTH, Penny. x

Jet

Can I please have your suggestions for an easy but special starter?

I'm cooking chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella and asparagus and wrapped in parma ham with new pots and veg for main course and chocolate pudding for dessert.

So can I have your ideas for a simple starter that would complement this?

Thanks.

Irisheyes648

A very simple and lush starter is sliced mozzarella, sliced beef tomatoes, and sliced advacado, drizzled with olive oil and basil leaves scatterd on the top.

Plum_Pie

I make this with tinned beans - I don't think it makes much difference. It might be a bit filling with the rest of your dishes, but I think the flavours would go well. That chicken sounds lovely...might try that myself tomorrow as am cooking for family.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_28634,00.html

Penelope_Penguin

Hello! Try this older thread - it has lots of ideas, and some more links.

Penny. x