First course
101 recipes
Shrimp & Scallop Risotto
This make a lovely, special dinner for 2 but can easily be doubled or tripled. Could be used as a first course for a dinner party.
Butternut Squash Soup
Creamy and flavorful Butternut Squash Soup is an impressive first course or luncheon entrée. Squash is seasoned with curry and onion powder, and apple for a hint of sweetness.
Apple and Mixed Greens with Apple-Truffle Vinaigrette
Apple and Mixed Greens with Apple-Truffle Vinaigrette is an elegant, light and refreshing first course or side salad. And, it’s easy to prepare, too! Mixed greens are topped with matchstick apples, candied pecans and shoestring potatoes, then served with a scrumptious apple-truffle vinaigrette.
Spinach Stuffed Delicata Rings
Spinach-Filled Delicata Squash Rings make a fun first course for the holidays - or a side dish.
Mini Caprese Zucchini
These make a fun first course in the summer - or side dish. The sauce cooks with the squash. Use any color squash you like.
Stuffed Chard Leaves, Chive Sauce
We had these as a first course before a 'salad' dinner. Double / triple the recipe for a main course or serve as a light lunch. They are not 'tied' - what looks like string is the vein of the chard leaves.
Simple Baked Tomatoes
Simple baked tomatoes.... Sometimes simple is best.If you have never baked a tomato, now is the time. Great for a first course or veggie side.
Poached Eggs with Crème Fraîche and Ham
Poached Eggs with Crème Fraîche and Ham, a great first course or brunch dish. Eggs can be poached ahead of time if needed.
Avocado, Artichoke Heart and Feta Salad
This is an easy, first course salad coming together in just 10 minutes. You could add a hard boiled egg and a baguette for a light lunch.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
This is a light soup, for a first course or light lunch. If you want to use it as a sauce simply add less of the stock when you purée it.
Spinach and Chickpea Salad
Warm the spinach until it just barely starts to wilt. This can be a first course or, with a cup of soup or a bit of bread, a light lunch or supper.
Risi e Bisi
Though normally served as a first course we like is as a savory side with a grilled steak or pork tenderloin.
Things to Know about Smoked Salmon
Smoked Salmon is healthy, delicious, a treat for a first course and handy to have on hand to make a main course pasta or risotto.
Pumpkin Timbales, Shallot/Prosciutto Garnish
We have this as a first course but it would work for a side dish as well - but I'd probably skip the garnish for a side....
Beef & Vegetable Nem; which is first: cheese or dessert?
Beef & Vegetable Nem, Spring Rolls. Cigars... whatever you want to call them they are made with purchased phyllo and baked - easy and healthy for a first course or snack.
Stuffed Sweet Onions, Cherry Tomato Sauce; in loving memory: Dogs
Stuffed Sweet Onions, Cherry Tomato Sauce - these make a great first course or vegetable side dish.
Zucchini Ribbons with Goat Cheese; my weird garden
Zucchini Ribbons with Goat Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil... yet another way to use zucchini, for a first course or vegetable side