Starters

Hosting a dinner party, planning a cosy night in, or looking for a quick appetiser?

Take a look at our collection of easy and irresistible starter recipes—perfect for any occasion! We’ve put together a delicious variety of quick and simple starters that are bursting with flavour and guaranteed to please. From light and refreshing bites to rich, indulgent treats, they're made to match every every mood. Whether you're planning a dinner party or just want something tasty to kick off your meal, these easy starter ideas are here to help you impress with minimal fuss.

Watch Delia introduce our free Online Cookery School. A project consisting of over 60 videos, accompanying recipes and helpful study notes.

Anchoïade

This is a delicious snack with all the flavours of Provence to serve out of doors, either as a first course...

This is a delicious snack with all the flavours of Provence to serve out of doors, either as a first course at a barbecue or for lunch, or else on small croutons to se...

5 minutes

Antipasti

This is my favourite Italian first course. If you can buy the meats and cheese from a specialist Italian...

This is my favourite Italian first course. If you can buy the meats and cheese from a specialist Italian deli, so much the better; alternatively, counters at superm...

Arbroath Smokie Mousse

This is unashamedly retro. In the 60s it was very popular – only then made with smoked haddock (which is...

This is unashamedly retro. In the 60s it was very popular – only then made with smoked haddock (which is still equally good). It’s cool, light and still evokes memo...

Asian Steak Sandwiches

No not bread sarnies. These are slices of sticky, fragrant marinated steak, served wrapped in lettuce le...

No not bread sarnies. These are slices of sticky, fragrant marinated steak, served wrapped in lettuce leaves. NOTE: This recipe is from the book Delia's Ho...

1 minute

Asparagus Under Wraps

The asparagus in this dish is steamed lightly then wrapped with cheese and Parma ham and baked till the che...

The asparagus in this dish is steamed lightly then wrapped with cheese and Parma ham and baked till the cheese is melted. Italian Fontina, if you can get it, has th...

5 minutes

Asparagus with Nearly Hollandaise

Hurry, hurry. The English asparagus (best in the world) season is very short, so best to eat as much as ...

Hurry, hurry. The English asparagus (best in the world) season is very short, so best to eat as much as we can, while it’s freshly picked. Hollandaise can be tricky...

Vegetarian

Aubergines Amalfitane

This is a recipe I was served first of all in a restaurant in Amalfi many years go. Luckily, I always ha...

This is a recipe I was served first of all in a restaurant in Amalfi many years go. Luckily, I always have a notebook to hand, so this replication is, I think, ever...

40 minutes

Prawn and Avocado Cocktail

There are some quite ordinary yet lovely things that end up being overlooked because they are not fashionab...

There are some quite ordinary yet lovely things that end up being overlooked because they are not fashionable, and this is one of them - avocado with prawns. We've ...

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

Bruschetta is a very special type of toasted bread, pronounced brusketta. When I first tasted the...

Bruschetta is a very special type of toasted bread, pronounced brusketta. When I first tasted the real thing in Tuscany, it was one of the most memorable eat...

Vegetarian

Budino di Pomodorini

Here is a recipe we ate at my friend Rose Lloyd’s house in Provence – a delectably cool summer starter. ...

Here is a recipe we ate at my friend Rose Lloyd’s house in Provence – a delectably cool summer starter. Perfect to serve in hot weather, which pays homage to the gl...

Calamares Fritos (Fried Baby Squid)

These are so simple – they take seconds to cook and are good served with Tracklements’ Chilli Jam. I buy...

These are so simple – they take seconds to cook and are good served with Tracklements’ Chilli Jam. I buy mine ready-prepared (still frozen from the fish counter at ...

2 minutes

Carrot and Tarragon Soup

This is a delicious, summery soup, but it can be made in the winter with two finely chopped leeks instead o...

This is a delicious, summery soup, but it can be made in the winter with two finely chopped leeks instead of the lettuce leaves. Don't be tempted to use stock, as t...

25 minutes

Vegetarian

Char-grilled Squid with Chilli Jam

We have a tradition with some close friends that involves always having Easter Sunday lunch at Yetman's res...

We have a tradition with some close friends that involves always having Easter Sunday lunch at Yetman's restaurant, in Holt in Norfolk, where Alison and Peter Yetman c...

1 minute - 2 minutes

Courgette Soup with Pecorino Pesto

This light summer soup is perfect for late summer when courgettes are cheap and plentiful. Serve each bo...

This light summer soup is perfect for late summer when courgettes are cheap and plentiful. Serve each bowl with a spoonful of the watercress and Pecorino pesto zigz...

22 minutes - 25 minutes

Vegetarian

Eggs Mayonnaise

Not the kind you get in help-yourself salad bars and cafés – this is the real thing. Eggs, boiled – not ...

Not the kind you get in help-yourself salad bars and cafés – this is the real thing. Eggs, boiled – not hard, but with a bit of squidge at the centre – anointed wit...

Vegetarian

Fresh Tomato Soup with Croutons

When I first wrote on cookery, a reader wrote to the Editor of my newspaper, complaining my recipe for toma...

When I first wrote on cookery, a reader wrote to the Editor of my newspaper, complaining my recipe for tomato soup didn't work. Rather conscientiously, the Editor t...

35 minutes - 40 minutes

Halloumi Cheese with Vinaigrette

This is a great recipe to have up your sleeve for the unexpected vegetarian. Halloumi arrives in sealed ...

This is a great recipe to have up your sleeve for the unexpected vegetarian. Halloumi arrives in sealed plastic wrapping and has a reasonably long shelf-life, which...

2 minutes

Vegetarian

Frying-pan Pizza

This is the easiest home-made pizza in the world. It's made with a scone dough which, happily, does not ...

This is the easiest home-made pizza in the world. It's made with a scone dough which, happily, does not require kneading and proving. The topping can, of course, be...

12 minutes - 13 minutes

Vegetarian

Gambas De Queso with Majorcan Tomato Bread

You may remember the tapas from last summer’s recipe collection. They are well worth revisiting and make...

You may remember the tapas from last summer’s recipe collection. They are well worth revisiting and make a perfect summer starter for two. The preparation is quite ...

5 minutes

Gratin of Mussels with Melted Camembert

I first sampled this concept in Normandy where the Camembert was used as a topping for oysters. Then bac...

I first sampled this concept in Normandy where the Camembert was used as a topping for oysters. Then back home, I discovered it goes superbly well with mussels too....

Gratin of Tiger Prawns

This is kind of Mexican but works best, we think, with Italian Fontina cheese, as this has the best melting...

This is kind of Mexican but works best, we think, with Italian Fontina cheese, as this has the best melting consistency. Fat, juicy tiger prawns combined with cream...

5 minutes - 6 minutes

Squid with Lemon, Garlic and Olive Oil

Close your eyes when you eat your first mouthful of this one and in your mind you'll be right there on some...

Close your eyes when you eat your first mouthful of this one and in your mind you'll be right there on some lovely Greek island – it's one of those very simple things ...

15 minutes

Grilled Polenta with Melted Cheese

Ready-made polenta is a great product and now very widely available. In this recipe you will be able to ...

Ready-made polenta is a great product and now very widely available. In this recipe you will be able to create a supremely good first course for six or light lunch ...

6 minutes

Kipper Pate

You could use frozen kipper fillets for this, but even better would be a proper kipper. By the time you'...

You could use frozen kipper fillets for this, but even better would be a proper kipper. By the time you've removed the skin and bones from one medium-sized kipper y...