When we receive guests for lunch or dinner, it is customary to pull out all the stops. But even gourmets and amateur cooks are not necessarily regulars at festive meals. For the main course, generosity or quality may be enough. On the other hand, for starters, if taste remains the main element, aesthetics will often be more important. We have therefore selected around forty refined recipes, but nevertheless within everyone’s reach to impress your guests.
Tips for stunning starters
A starter for a special occasion cannot be satisfied with just one ingredient and a sauce. The multiplication of components will show both an effort in the design, but will also allow you to play with shapes, textures and colors. Verrines are excellent solutions for this game. In fact, they allow you to create original edits, without necessarily spending a lot of time on preparation. You can use raw products, such as smoked salmon, fish roe or raw vegetables, and simply arrange them nicely. You can opt for classic combinations as well as rely on sweet-salty or exotic mixtures. Choosing fine and unexpected ingredients is also a good way to compose an original salad. Prefer recipes that allow plating, which often allows you to obtain a better visual result. So think about playing with colors and shapes.
Cold or hot starters
In a recipe, cooking is often the most dangerous part. This is why offering tartares, ceviches or carpaccios also appears to be an alternative. These preparations may require a little time for cutting and dressing. On the other hand, you won’t necessarily need a lot of ingredients. Fish or vegetable terrines are also an interesting choice. Refined, they allow you to obtain beautiful effects when cutting and bring freshness. They can also sometimes be prepared the day before or even several days in advance, which will reduce your workload. However, hot starters should not be banned. The puff pastries or small tarts will bring a welcome treat.