Looking for starter ideas

Was hoping in Willows kitchen to find some very simple ideas for a cold starter. Not anything fishy and something that will be very simple and not take long to prepare. Have friends coming on Sat evening and unfortunately I am going to be out most of the day so it is just something quick I really need.

Ace,
Have I given you my Camembert cheese thing, that you dip crusty bread into?...it's quick and easy.
Can't it be fishy at all? 'Cos mackerel pate is a doddle.

You could always just cook some chicken goujons and serve with salad.
Or just have dips and crudités on the coffee table before you go in to eat.

Or I have a Stilton quenelles recipe but it's a bit fiddly to shape the quenelles.

Hi Kate - Yes you have and it sounds delicious - should have said something low cals as we are trying to be so good as hols in 4 weeks time and we need to shift a few pounds after the summer.

Can you buy the whole Camembert somewhere like Tesco? maybe a silly question but I can't remember seeing one. Always see the slices of it etc but never a whole one. Thanks Kate. x

Ace,
You buy Camembert in small wooden boxes.
You'd need one Camembert between two people.They are fairly small.
I don't think Camembert is too bad, calorie wise.
If you want the method, let me know.

Otherwise I think dips and crudités.
We have a friend coming to stay tomorrow.
We're having an early dinner, then going out to watch live music.
Mr Kate is doing a complicated prawn starter, and seafood risotto, so I only have to make a raspberry and apple crumble cake for dessert.

Chicken liver pate is very quick and easy to make. Otherwise dips and crudities as Kate suggests.

To be honest....I dont think you can beat nice chilled melon when the weather is so warm. if you use a baller and have melon balls plus a bit of smoked proscuiteo(sp?) ham for decor with a couple of mint leaves it looks good and tastes good IMHO.Also low calorie! If you like ginger with your melon I find the preserved ginger in syrup much nicer than the powdered kind. It can be sliced very finely and add to the garnish.

So, what did you decide???

Thanks for the ideas everyone - going for the melon. Will try Camembert first on us Kate

Mayday wrote:To be honest....I dont think you can beat nice chilled melon when the weather is so warm. if you use a baller and have melon balls plus a bit of smoked proscuiteo(sp?) ham for decor with a couple of mint leaves it looks good and tastes good IMHO.Also low calorie!   If you like ginger with your melon I find the preserved ginger in syrup much nicer than the powdered kind. It can be sliced very finely and add to the garnish.

Mayday - that's a lovely refreshing light starter

Ace,
Have you got the recipe?
It's nice for a supper for the two of you.
I got it from my hairdresser years ago.