Top 10

Romantic starters

 

The starter is an important scene-setter and appetite-whetter. For simple romantic and theatrical decadence, little can beat oyster shucking. That intense hit of the ocean, spiked with a dash of lemon juice or Tabasco, is a heavenly experience worth sharing (especially when you’ve got through the struggle of opening the little blighters!). Another labour of love is preparing artichokes. Gioconda Scott reveals how to cook globe artichokes, and it's easier than you might think. She serves hers splashed with dry sherry and Spanish Serrano ham. The leaves are also yummy – dip them in foaming hollandaise and eat with buttery fingers. Be inspired by our stunning selection of seductive starters...

 
Warm Shredded Lamb Salad

Warm, succulent, slow cooked lamb mingles with sweet pomegranate in this fabulous recipe from Nigella Lawson

 
Poached Oysters with Dry Vermouth and Cucumber

Got romance in mind? Martin Blunos's elegant starter for two is guaranteed to impress with its plump native oysters and delectable butter sauce

 
Mushrooms with Coriander and Bay

Tamasin Day Lewis's mouth-watering mushrooms are great served hot with veal or chicken, or cold as an appetising starter

 
Pan-grilled Scallops with Baby Spinach and Pine Nut Salad

Rachel Allen serves sweet tender scallops with a tasty salad of spinach leaves, pine nuts and lemon zest

 
Mackerel Salad with Saffron

A delectable starter from Giorgio Locatelli: crisp saffron-flavoured mackerel fillets in pancetta, with salad leaves and a saffron vinaigrette.

 
Winter Antipasti

Arthur Potts Dawson combines winter greens with mushrooms and aubergines in a simple and delicious vegetable antipasti dish

 
Cheese Souffle

A simple cheese soufflé with a golden crown and soft yielding centre from Eleanor Smallwood

 
Artichokes with Jamon Serrano

Make a seductive start with Gioconda Scott's recipe for Spanish ham and freshly prepared artichokes, pan-fried with sherry

 
Vegetable and Goat's Cheese Melt

For a stylish, colourful starter try Ed Baines's recipe which layers vegetables, rocket and grilled goat's cheese to flavourful effect

 
Artichokes with Jamon Serrano

Enjoy a tasty starter with Gioconda Scott's recipe for Spanish ham and freshly prepared artichokes, pan-fried with sherry

 
 
 
 
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