Starters to open a meal

Gazpacho is a cold, raw soup of tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil and vinegar, blended smooth. On a hot day it is the most refreshing thing you can eat, and it needs no cooking at all. It…

Insalata caprese is slices of tomato and fresh mozzarella with basil leaves and olive oil, nothing more. With so few ingredients, everything depends on their quality: ripe summer tomatoes, soft…

French onion soup is a dark, sweet soup of slowly caramelised onions, topped with toasted bread and melted cheese and finished under the grill. It turns the cheapest vegetable there is into a rich…

Greek salad is chunks of tomato, cucumber, pepper and onion with olives and a thick slice of feta, dressed with olive oil and oregano. It has no lettuce. Made with summer tomatoes and good feta, it…

Tzatziki is a cool dip of thick yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil and dill. It goes with grilled meat, fish and vegetables, in pita with falafel, or simply with bread. It is fresh, very…

Gambas al ajillo are prawns cooked in a few minutes in olive oil with plenty of garlic, a dried chili and parsley. They come to the table still sizzling, with bread to dip in the garlic oil. Made…

Moules marinières are mussels steamed open in white wine with shallots, garlic, butter and parsley. They cook in five minutes and are served in the pot, with bread for the juices or fries on the side…

Flammkuchen, tarte flambée in French, is a very thin, crisp dough spread with crème fraîche and topped with sliced onions and smoked lardons. It bakes in a few minutes and is cut into strips at the…

Quiche lorraine is a shortcrust tart filled with eggs, cream and smoked bacon, baked until just set. It is served warm or at room temperature, as a starter in thin slices or as a light main course…