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Dinner party starter recipes

Hosting friends for dinner? Get the party started with these easy dinner party starter recipes perfect for any occasion: from a classic French onion soup to a Korean twist on the prawn cocktail.

Salmon, leek and dill tarts

by Mary Berry

Mary Berry’s easy salmon tarts make a lovely and light starter for Christmas Day. They look really pretty as well as being suitable to make in advance.

For this recipe you will need two 4-hole Yorkshire pudding tins (or make the pastry cases in batches, if you prefer).

Starters & nibbles

Chicken liver pâté

by Sophie Wright

Starters & nibbles

Scallops and chorizo

Starters & nibbles

Steamed prawn gyoza

by Angela Hartnett

Starters & nibbles

Cucumber gazpacho

by Zena Kamgaing

Starters & nibbles

Smoked mackerel pâté

by Valentine Warner

Starters & nibbles

Whisky and chilli tiger prawns

by Lorraine Pascale

Starters & nibbles

Watercress and pea soup

by James Martin

Light meals & snacks

Bruschetta

by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Starters & nibbles

Bruschetta

by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Starters & nibbles

Gochujang prawn cocktail with pickled cucumber

by Helen Upshall

Starters & nibbles

Smoked salmon and watercress pâté

Starters & nibbles

Chestnut, leek and mushroom tartlets

by The Vegetarian Society

Starters & nibbles

Twice-baked goats' cheese and thyme soufflés

Starters & nibbles

Green garden soup

by Marcus Wareing

Starters & nibbles

French onion soup

by Paul Merrett

Goats' cheese and shallot tarts

Starters & nibbles

Labneh with pul biber brown butter (atom mezze)

Starters & nibbles

Beetroot carpaccio with goats’ cheese and walnuts

Starters & nibbles

Sardine beccafico

by Giorgio Locatelli

Starters & nibbles

Baby aubergines with oregano and red onions

by Nigella Lawson

Starters & nibbles

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