The Island Chef

Be the Chef in your Kitchen!

Menu
  • Welcome to The Island Chef
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Starter Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Meat Recipes
    • Poultry Recipes
    • Fish and Seafood Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Canapes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Cookery Terminology – A to Z.
    • Cookery Terminology — A
    • Cookery Terminology — B
    • Cookery Terminology — C
    • Cookery Terminology — D
    • Cookery Terminology — E
    • Cookery Terminology — F
    • Cookery Terminology — G
    • Cookery Terminology — H, I
    • Cookery Terminology — J, K
    • Cookery Terminology — L, M
    • Cookery Terminology — N, O
    • Cookery Terminology — P
    • Cookery Terminology — Q, R
    • Cookery Terminology — S
    • Cookery Terminology — T
    • Cookery Terminology — U, V, W
    • Cookery Terminology — X, Y, Z
  • Isle of Wight Podcast – FoodandMusicIOW
    • Episode Overviews
      • Podcast – Trailer
      • Podcast – Episode – Adgestone Vineyard
      • Podcast – Episode – Blueberry’s Cafe
      • Podcast – Episode – Special Episode The Great Wight Bite
      • Podcast – Episode – Grace’s Bakery
      • Podcast – Episode – The Isle of Wight Meat Company
    • Be part of the podcast!
    • FoodandMusicIOW – YouTube Feed
  • Private Chef & Catering Services
    • Pricing Guide
    • Menus created for clients
    • Client Testimonials: Experiences with The Island Chef
    • Shop for Cookery Guides.
Menu

Starter Recipes

Starter Recipes

Prawn Mousse with brown shrimps starter recipe
Scallop with Tomato, Shallots and parsley Starter recipes

Starter recipes are an important element of a menu. It is the introduction and has to make an impact as well as linking to the main course and dessert.

I have incorporated recipes you can cook on a BBQ, recipes that have fish or seafood as the key element. Others that need cooking in the oven or frying pan, lots of different flavours from around the world that make the starter such a fun course to do!

Whilst the two images are seafood starters. A Prawn Mousse with Brown Shrimp and Mandarin, the other Scallops with Tomato, Shallots and Parsley. There are so many ways you can go with a starter, from a salad to a delicate piece of fish or some meat. So planning your menu starts with this course, you can start with the main and work backwards. The key thing is to get to a point where you have two courses that complement each other and link them together.

I always say keep it simple. Doing recipes with a huge list of ingredients is a way to make life difficult for yourself. Ideally, if you can prepare ahead, that will take some pressure off you. Just an idea of ways to mitigate the time and risk when cooking a multiple course menu.


Click here to listen to my podcast FoodandMusicIOW.


ASPARAGUS AND BACON WRAPS

The Island Chef
These are fun and a simple starter for a BBQ or meal. They can be prepared ahead and the cooked as needed. Allow for 2-3 per person if you are doing other starters.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Course BBQ
Cuisine BBQ

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Asparagus spears, not too thick
  • 8 Streaky bacon rashers
  • 50 gram Cheese – mozzarella and or cheddar mozzarella sliced, cheddar (grated)
  • Balsamic vinegar – optional

Instructions
 

  • Trim the end of the stalk of the asparagus. Wrap with a slice of bacon. If adding the cheese, wrap the mozzarella under the bacon or place the wrapped spear on a tray of oiled foil.
  • If using the cheddar, then sprinkle the cheese over the wrapped spears.
  • Season with a little salt and pepper. If you like balsamic then sprinkle a little over the spears.
  • Place the tray on the BBQ or cook on the grill turning until crisp, but not blackened.
Keyword Starter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X

The Island Chef: Chef, teacher and food writer from the Isle of Wight. Teaching you the why behind great cooking since 2008.

About - Read
Privacy Policy - Read
Cookie Policy - Read
Terms and Conditions for Catering - Read
Terms and Conditions for using the Website - Read

Do you need catering for a special event - Read
Pricing Guide - Read
Menus created for Clients - Read

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail

You can subscribe for £5 per month or £50 per year to my Cookery School on Substack! You can register and buy the subscription on the Substack.
My Substack - Be the Chef in your Kitchen


Paul is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and the Craft Guild of Chefs

You can read all of my online content on Authory at https://authory.com/PaulBellchambers

You can contact Paul on
email: paul@theislandchef.co.uk
phone: 07724250116
Or via his social media channels

Also from Paul Bellchambers - Photography of the Isle of Wight and other subjects, islands, yacht races, powerboat racing and more.
Go to paulbellchambers.com to find out more.

“©2026 The Island Chef - Isle of WIght