Starters

Recipes, cooking tips and ideas for fabulous first courses

Love oysters with restaurateur Mark Hix's recipe for romance

The oyster may just be the most evocative culinary symbol of passion. Named as one of the top aphrodisiacs, what better – or finer – way to start your Valentine's Day meal? A man who knows...

Chilled Cucumber & Horseradish Gazpacho with Lymington Crab Salad & Pickled White Radish

Raymond Blanc's Moules mariniere

Serves 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Ingredients 1.8 kg (4lb) best-quality mussels 1 onion, finely chopped 2 bay leaves 8 sprigs of fresh thyme 15g (½ oz ) unsalted...

Chorizo and Halloumi Skewers with Tabbouleh Salad

Dish type: Salad Ready in 35 Minutes Ingredients 60g Chorizo Slices 250g Halloumi 150g Bulgar Wheat 150g Cherry tomatoes A Handful of Mint 1 Lemon A Handful of Parsley 1 Red Onion Two Thirds of a Vegetable...

Healthy eating: even more reason to eat olives

After the excesses of Christmas, it's only natural that you should want to eat healthily this time of year. And olives are the perfect snack for those looking for a lighter treat without compromising...

Spanish olives marinated in oregano and chillies

Dish type: Olives Serves 4 Ingredients 1 jar or tin of green Spanish olives 100ml of mild Spanish olive oil 6 sprigs of fresh oregano 6 dried cayenne peppers Method Drain the Spanish olives...

Spanish olives, sesame seeds, lemon juice and mint

Dish type: Olives Serves 4 Ingredients 1 jar or tin of green Spanish olives 100ml of mild Spanish olive oil 1 tbsp of sesame seeds 1 lemon 3 sprigs of mint 3 sprigs of thyme Method Drain...

Spanish olives marinated in sweet pimentón, red onion and fennel seeds

Dish type: Olives Serves 4 Ingredients 1 jar or tin of black Spanish olives 100ml of mild Spanish olive oil 1 tbsp of Sweet pimentón 1/3 of a red onion 1 tbsp of fennel seeds Method...

Spanish olives with Manchego cheese marinated in olive oil, black peppercorns, bay leaves, rosemary and garlic

Dish type: Olives Serves 4 Ingredients 1 jar or tin of ‘turning colour’ or black Spanish olives 100ml of mild Spanish olive oil 50g of Manchego cheese 5 black peppercorns 2 fresh...

Thai-style Chicken, Shitake and Tenderstem® Broccoli with Noodles and Coconut Broth

Dish type: Soup Serves: 4-6 Preparation and cooking time: 25 mins Tenderstem® is a perfect ingredient for any kind of broth or curry as you can add it near the end and cook it briefly so it provides...

Adam Gray’s hot turkey and onion tart with Stilton cheese

Dish type: Starter Serves 4 Ingredients 4 sheets puff pastry 400g onion marmalade 200g Stilton 200g turkey, cooked 1 bunch rocket 100ml rapeseed oil Method 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas mark 7....

Parsnip and sweet potato soup

Dish Type: Starter Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes approx Ingredients 5 sweet potatoes peeled and chopped 8 parsnips 2 onions peeled and chopped 1 large leek...

Yogurt Crusted Indian Spiced Chicken

Dish type: Starter Preparation and cooking time: 35 minutes & 2 hours marinating time Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, chopped 100g fresh ginger, chopped 1 whole chicken, deboned and portioned...

Aubergine Fritters With Chilli & Coriander Chutney

Dish type: Starter Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes Serves: 2-4 Ingredients: 170g garam flour 1 tsp salt 2 tsp hot curry powder, toasted 1 small red chilli, finely chopped 100g Rachel’s...

Japanese Style Rare Beef and Radish Roll-ups

Dish type: Canapes Makes 16 Preparation time: 15 minutes + 1 hour chilling Cooking time: 10 minutes Ingredients 450g fillet steak (1 long thin piece works best) 2 tsp oil 8 radishes 4 spring onions 2cm...

Griddled Halloumi and Pink Lady Apple Wedges with Caper, Anchovy and Herb Dressing

Dish type: Canapes Sharing plates full of flavour is just what you need when entertaining friends. Use either a mix of herbs or a single one that is readily available. Leave out the anchovies in the dressing...

Warm Pigeon Breast Salad with Caramalised Apple, Crispy Chorizo and Balsamic Syrup

Dish type: Starter Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes Serves 6 Ingredients 6 pigeon breasts 3 Cox’s eating apples 200g thinly sliced chorizo 100ml of balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp of brown sugar 500g...

New England Clam, Salt Cod and Bacon Chowder from Sam's Brasserie

Dish type: Soup Preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients 16 large or 32 small clams 25g butter 50g streaky bacon, cut into small dice 110g onions, diced 225g potatoes, diced but not...