Valentine's Day starter recipes

These moreish arancini balls are made extra-special with the flavours of truffle and punchy cheese. They're perfect for a starter or as canapés at a party

Enjoy this speedy tomato and mozzarella salad as a side dish, or add some sliced avocado for a filling lunch. Top with basil leaves and crushed crostini for extra flavour and texture

Use larger slices of sourdough in these tartines for an impressive-looking lunch or starter that's deceptively easy

Try our easy starter – the filling can be made well in advance and chilled. Once your guests arrive, toast the crumpets and pile the filling on top

Try our take on oysters by adding fresh pomegranate seeds, a zesty squeeze of lime and sweet pomegranate molasses. They make an eye-catching starter

Master the art of making pasta with our ravioli, filled with creamy ricotta, spinach and a runny egg yolk. For best results, use a pasta machine

Try a veggie twist on bang bang chicken, and replace the meat with cauliflower florets. With a crispy coating and a spicy sauce, it makes a great starter or side

Rustle up Tom Kerridge's crab starter with a hint of smoked paprika for your next dinner party. You can make it ahead, leaving you time to sit down and enjoy

Give shellfish a Thai makeover with chilli, ginger, lemongrass and coconut milk. Try it as a starter or fish course when hosting a romantic dinner for two

A simple salad that looks stunning on the plate. A mix of courgette colours, fragrant mint and salty ricotta salata make this a feast for the senses

This speedy, zesty version of the Swedish classic cuts the curing time to 30 minutes and makes a special starter for two

Give the classic prawn cocktail a twist by pairing crayfish tails with tangy horseradish and creamy avocado in this delicious dinner party starter

Serve up a restaurant-style starter at home - much of it can be made ahead so you can relax with a glass of wine on the night

Serve this easy vegetarian pâté as a starter at a dinner party. It's a great partner to toast, mini crispbreads and cornichons

Oven-cook or air-fry your favourite soft cheese until gooey for this last-minute crowd-pleaser. An easy recipe for a dinner party or when entertaining at Christmas

Combine creamy goat's cheese, crisp apple and earthy beetroot for a simple salad that's bursting with flavour and colour – and it looks impressive plated up

Serve these easy stuffed mushrooms with melted cheese, bacon lardons and breadcrumbs alongside a simple salad and crusty bread for a quick, fuss-free dinner

A crowd-pleasing, help-yourself starter. Take the bread out of the oven an hour before lunch and it'll still be warm when it hits the table

Artichoke makes this soup ultra silky and the crispy skins add a hit of crunch and flavour - perfect as a starter for dinner with friends

For a healthy-yet-special starter, try our easy pan-fried scallops with a squeeze of zesty lime and a sprinkling of chilli and coriander