Your starter for six

Ha! I recognised that one of Delia's alig99

Just making me HUNGRY !!

My quick easy, cook in the oven starter is half red peppers stuffed with halves of tomatoes, scatter with slithers of garlic and leaves of basil and black pepper and drizzle with olive oil bake in the oven for 20 mins, serve with bread. This is relish and from Delia summer collection.

Oooo now I'm sooo hungry ?

My go to starter when I'm pushed for time is a wedge of Brie warmed until it starts to ooze (microwaving is fine) and then drizzled with runny honey and sprinkled with chopped walnuts.

I would just do a large bowl of lamb's lettuce with a sauce based on walnut oil and add chopped walnuts - also pomegranate seeds (or whatever the bits are called that come out of the pomegranate) can be thrown in. Guests can eat as much or as little as they like.

However, you say "no faff". Lamb's lettuce is usually just washed and served in little bundles, as it grows (no faff), but I will spend 10-15 minutes cutting the roots off. I am always scared that a grain of sand or earth will be caught at the bottom where all the stalks come together and I've broken more than one tooth by biting on grains of sand!

Melba toast or tiny rolls to go with the salad.

ps what time did you say?

Fresh Goats cheese, fresh figs, and watercress salad, with a sweetish oil & vinegar dressing. Can be done on a big platter. A help yourselves option seems the way to go to keep things simple.

Wow and thank you GNers.
Just sat down to read your ideas
All sound lovely
I could eat everyone
I think the 3 ingredients mackerel pate might be the answer on this occasion.
But I now have several ideas for future starters
Jalima you are right I won't faff with toast.
Thank you also for the good wishes for my little grandson.

Don't bother with a starter. Just give nibbles crisps, olives etc. with a drink when they arrive. I find 3 courses , 4 with cheese a lot to eat. It will give you more time to sort your grandson out. The main and desserts sound amazing. X

You just need something light with your menu.
I'd do salmon or smoked salmon pate or mousse in individual portions.
Dress up the plate with a couple of blinis with sour cream and a tea spoonful of salmon caviar on one and lumpfish caviar on the other.
Serve with rye bread and a garnish of lemon.

Ah, one week, as long as you have nice bread and/or biscuits and don't faff with toast on this occasion you can make the paté the day before.

Just come back from Sicily and their Caprese Salad is gorgeous...

Sliced/chopped tomatoes, mozarella sliced/chunks, basil , olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Absolutely no faff

I do like smoked macherel paté - how long will it keep if made in advance?

Well, I was trying to think of something readymade simply because Cherrytree is pushed for time and has her DGS to look after too!
not much time to faff

Next time I am entertaining, I will be on here for all 3 courses, lol

I bought some M and S sweet chilli calamari and half of my family wouldn't eat the squid rings. I dusted them in flour and dipped them is batter, shallow fried them hot and quickly and served them with slices of lemon and lemon mayo. Everyone nommed them with gusto.

I thought afterwards that they would make a very nice, tasty and impressive starter. You could serve them with lemon wedges and rocket so they looked nice on the plate.

Another benefit is that, because they are hot, they look as if you have taken time and trouble when nothing could be easier. The flour and batter can be prepared beforehand and standing by and then a few seconds in a non-stick pan is all it takes.

I would do a couple of dips - tzatziki is dead easy & perhaps melizanasalats (easier to make than say- it's a greek aubergine puree) and serve with crudities & breadsticks

How about sliced plum tomato, mozzarella and basil leaves? You could add a little balsamic vinegar or perhaps put it on the table for them to add. Colourful and refreshing, and not too heavy.

Or melon slices, sprinkled with a little powdered ginger. Hope the party goes well and that the little one makes a swift recovery. Your friends will understand that you have coped brilliantly - well done!

How about corn on the cob?

Figs are in season at the moment. Cut it into quarters and wrap parma ham around it. Or melons wrapped with parma ham. Another suggestion is tin of halves peaches topped with cottage cheese then sprinkle with dried parsley.

When we were in Italy recently we often had a salad as a starter, which I really enjoyed

Wow, you guys are so impressive with food.............I am amazed at how quickly you came back with great ideas.

Another simple Mary Berry recipe is smoked mackerel pate with lime, only 3 ingredients plus seasoning. Served with nice bread or crackers it would at least be home made.
Mary Berry pate