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WHAT GOES WITH STARTERS
Starters are the introduction to your meal. It gives an idea of what to follow. Try to balance a starchy starter with a light dessert. If your starters are bites size, consider your guests and make a variety of them to satisfy their likes or allergies.
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Starters can be finger food to serve with drinks, they can even be a meal on their own for a Casual Lunch or Dinner; add a salad or some fresh bread, and finish with a dessert.
On a winter day, there is nothing more comforting than a hot soup.
There are many variety of soups from a simple Pea Soup, to a whole meal in one as the Chicken Soup, to a spicy Butternut Soup.
There are cold soups for a summer evening.
Make your choice!
Soups goes with everything.
Pea soup is traditionally served with Croutons (how to make croutons).
All other soups can be served with crusty bread and a butter dish and your starter is done.
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Quiches must be one of the most versatile starters, not only it offers an incredible variety of fillings; meat, fish or vegetables. They can be made with pâte brisée, cauliflower crust or crustless. They are ideal to serve as a Starter for a Dinner Party or as a Main Course for a Casual Lunch or Dinner. They can be served hot, cold or at room temperature.
Serve a Quiche with a Salad and your starter is done. Just add a Dessert if serving it as a main course.
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Dips and Pâté have many origins, from the French Pâté to the Greek Tarama Salata.
Serve different ones for starter with some fresh bread and a salad and your guests can choose whichever they prefer.
A selection of 3 Dips and/or Pâté is more than acceptable.
Make a simple salad to go with and there is no need for anything else.
Filo Pastry Triangle goes by many different names, Spanakopitas, Hojaldres, Burekas or Börek. They are all little pies made with filo or phyllo pastry, filled with different mixture and baked in the oven.
Filo Pastry Triangles are usually served with a Greek Salad.
As they can have different fillings, try to serve 2 to 3 different ones to bring variety.
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Empanadas are savoury pie from South America. Empanadas are very much finger food. They are typically served as a starter on their own and don't need a salad or any other accompaniment.
They also very much acceptable to serve with just one filling.
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Bruschettas are an Italian variation of the French Canapés, the bread is grilled and a served with a variety of fresh toppings.
Many of the Dips and Spreads can be used as a base and decorated with contrasting garnishes.
They don't need anything else.
Samosas are and Indian starter. Filled with spicey meat, chicken, fish or vegetables. They are usually fried but can be baked when made with Filo Pastry.
You can add a ramekin with chutney to dip the samosas into.
A perfect starter to a Curry.
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Salads can be a starter on their own or accompanied with other starters.
They can also be part of a main course.
Choose: a salad with many ingredients as a starter on its own, a simple one to serve with other starters. If served as a main course choose a salad with meat, fish or chicken and add fresh bread.
Pizzas are an all in one meal. A starter and a Main Course combined. Perfect for a get together with friends.
Make it from scratch or top a ready made base with your favourite ingredients.
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