442 starter recipes

A chilled Scandinavian-style fruit soup simmered with prunes, raisins, apples, cherries, and citrus, thickened with tapioca and finished with grape juice. Serve cold as a refreshing starter or light dessert.

Chilled melon soup with cantaloupe, honeydew, champagne, and a drizzle of honey, served in iced bowls with whipped cream and mint. A no-cook summer starter that feels like a celebration.

Flaked salmon mixed with red curry paste, mayo, yogurt, avocado, apple, and lime juice, piled onto crispy fried poppadoms. A British-Indian starter that's cool, crunchy, and ready in 30 minutes.

Whole artichokes filled with tiny shrimp tossed in a gazpacho-style cilantro dressing with tomato, avocado, scallion, and garlic. A bright summer starter or light lunch that doubles as edible presentation.

Easy egg drop soup, the classic Chinese takeout starter made at home with just 4 ingredients: eggs, chicken broth, salt, and scallions. Ready in 10 minutes, four ingredients, no special tools.

Creamy asparagus soup with onion, celery, a whisper of mace and a finish of cream. Garnished with chopped hard-cooked egg for an old-fashioned springtime starter. Six ingredients, 35 minutes.

Red snapper parfait layers Creole-spiced seared snapper with a tropical papaya-coconut salsa in chilled glasses. A bright, sweet-and-spicy seafood starter dressed up in lime, cilantro, and jalapeno.

Composed citrus salad arranges fresh orange and grapefruit segments over salad greens with a bright teriyaki-ginger-honey vinaigrette. Light, elegant, and a perfect winter starter when citrus is at its peak.

Chilled cream of fennel soup pureed silky-smooth with fresh tarragon, lemon juice, and half-and-half. A cool, elegant starter with a subtle anise flavor that's ideal for warm-weather entertaining.

Gluten free apricot cucumber soup blends dried apricots with curried cucumber and orange for a chilled or warm vegan starter. Pumpkin seeds on top add bite to a smooth, naturally sweet bowl.

Apple-cheese soup blends tart Granny Smith apples, sharp aged cheddar, and a splash of port into a silky strained bowl finished with crisp bacon. A savory-sweet starter with real depth.

Chilled cream of potato soup made with instant potato flakes and evaporated milk for a velvety-smooth finish. Serve cold or hot in just 30 minutes. A refreshing summer starter for 4.

Hot crab bake with crab meat, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and pimento in a buttery white sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and slivered almonds. Individual baked crab casseroles for an elegant seafood starter.

Homemade yogurt in a thermos: just milk and a spoonful of starter yogurt, cultured 7 hours in a warm thermos for thick, tangy results. No yogurt maker needed, served with fresh raspberries.

Gravy soup is an old-fashioned roux-based broth with chicken fat, flour, and stock, topped with croutons and grated Gruyere. A frugal European-style starter that turns pantry staples into comfort.

A Jellie of Fyshe: a medieval-style aspic of cod, scallops, and shrimp suspended in a clear gelatin set with white wine, ginger, and vinegar. The historic seafood starter for special occasions.