Delight your guests with a comforting seasonal soup made with chestnuts, Stilton, parsnips or other wintery flavours. Have it simmering on the stove until serving time, while you get on with the roast. If you’re panicking about timings – you can also check out our make-ahead starters top ten list for starters you can have chilling (out?) beforehand.
Parma ham-stuffed figs with a creamy caper dressing make a stylish starter in Alan Coxon's simple but sophisticated recipe
Try Ainsley Harriot's version of the Eastern European beetroot soup - it's low in fat and incredibly good for you
Chestnuts are made for chilly winter months, this soup recipe provided by The Vegetarian Society works especially well at dinner parties
Tamasin Day Lewis's mouth-watering mushrooms are great served hot with veal or chicken, or cold as an appetising starter
From Giorgio Locatelli, mouth-watering Mediterranean-style mussels in a rich tomato and garlic broth
An appetising starter from Angela Gray - sweet, tender scallops with leeks, ribbons of ham, chives and a refreshing lemon sauce
A crunchy garnish of toasted walnuts and crisp bacon bits makes this hearty soup something to savour on winter nights
These tasty stuffed vegetables from Ivangelia Ynesarioti make a great meat-free main course and a versatile side dish too
Fresh watercress adds a glorious green colour and zingy flavour to James Martin's simple and tasty soup
Try Ainsley Harriott's white wine and chilli-flavoured mussels - they're delicious served with a loaf of French bread to mop up the juices
