Starters

Starters

The old-fashioned word 'hors d'oeuvre' has been replaced by another - starter. But there is another word for both and that is appetiser - something that arouses the appetite.

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

A picture of Delia's Anchoïade recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Antipasti recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Arbroath Smokie Mousse recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Asian Steak Sandwiches recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Asparagus Under Wraps recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Asparagus with Nearly Hollandaise recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Aubergines Amalfitane recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Budino di Pomodorini recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Calamares Fritos (Fried Baby Squid) recipe

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 ...

A picture of Delia's Carrot and Tarragon Soup recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Char-grilled Squid with Chilli Jam recipe

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

A picture of Delia's Courgette Soup with Watercress and Pecorino Pesto recipe

Courgette Soup with Watercress and 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

A picture of Delia's Eggs Mayonnaise recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Fresh Tomato Soup with Basil and Parmesan Croutons recipe

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

A picture of Delia's Fried Halloumi Cheese with Lime and Caper Vinaigrette recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Frying-pan Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella and Sun-dried Tomatoes recipe

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

A picture of Delia's Gambas De Queso with Majorcan Tomato Bread recipe

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 ...

A picture of Delia's Gratin of Mussels with Melted Camembert recipe

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.

A picture of Delia's Gratin of Tiger Prawns with Chilli and Cheese recipe

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

A picture of Delia's Greek-style Squid with Lemon, Garlic and Olive Oil recipe

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 ...

A picture of Delia's Grilled Polenta with Sage, Parma Ham and Melted Fontina Cheese recipe

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 ...

A picture of Delia's Kipper Pate recipe

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...

A picture of Delia's Late Summer Cucumber Soup recipe

Late Summer Cucumber Soup

Serve this hot if the weather is less than summery or, on a hot day, it is equally good served ve...

Serve this hot if the weather is less than summery or, on a hot day, it is equally good served very cold in chilled soup bowls. The Delia Online Cookery S...

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