Course: Starters and nibbles

Gingerbread Men

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Four Live

This recipe makes perfectly crisp gingerbread biscuits which snap and crumble in the mouth.

Serves: 4

Beetroot, Spinach & Goats Cheese Parcels

Recipe by Kevin Dundon

This vegetarian option can be frozen prior to cooking and stored for up to 4 weeks.

Serves: 4

Asparagus & Goat’s Cheese Tartlets

Recipe by Kevin Dundon

A delicious starter idea or a light lunch idea, from Kevin Dundon for Supervalu

Serves: 6

Smoked Salmon Terrine with Citrus Cream Cheese

Recipe by Kevin Dundon

This is a really impressive starter. It’s best to prepare this 24 hours in advance to ensure it's properly chilled and will hold it shape.

Makes: 4

Crab cakes with lime guacamole

Recipe by Clodagh McKenna

These are a really hearty and healthy main or starter, which can be dressed up or down for whatever occasion!

Serves: 2

Smoked salmon mousse

Recipe by Clodagh McKenna

Perfect as a starter or even just as a nibble to share

Blow-torched fresh Madagascar prawn folded around crispy soya skin

Recipe by Tamarin Blackmur

From: MasterChef Ireland

Tamarin's MasterChef Ireland dish, served scented with bacon, sesame, orange, ginger, coriander and lime and rested in Miso mayonnaise

Foie Gras poached in sauternes with artichoke, coco bean, dried Iberico ham and grapes poached in vanilla

Recipe by Terry Lyons

From: MasterChef Ireland

Terry Lyons' dish from MasterChef Ireland

Smoked lobster with smoked oyster beignet

Recipe by Brian Topping

From: MasterChef Ireland

Served with white asparagus wrapped in basil, lychee, horseradish and white asparagus broth

Quick Mussels with Carrot - Mussels are available all year round from most good fish mongers. They are a quick and easy meal, be it as a starter to share at a dinner party or a main course, served with home cut chips. They are also very reasonably priced, with a kilo costing around €4.00.
Be sure to only use mussels that are fully closed prior to cooking and discard any unopened ones if they have not opened during the cooking process.

Serves: 4

Mussels are available all year round from most good fish mongers. They are a quick and easy meal, be it as a starter to share at a dinner party or a main course, served with home cut chips. They are also very reasonably priced, with a kilo costing around €4.00. Be sure to only use mussels that are fully closed prior to cooking and discard any unopened ones if they have not opened during the cooking process.