Despite what its name suggests, this flan is not a dessert. It’s actually a very tasty autumn appetizer that can be served hot or cold. Indeed, the technique of baking a flan with milk (or cream) and eggs can also be used by adding a salty main ingredient, thus creating a surprising recipe.
Category: Salads, Soups & Appetizers
Authentic Tuscan Ribollita recipe
Ribollita is a vegetable and white bean soup, typical of Italian Tuscany. It is a recipe for use and its name means “re-boiled”, since it was reheated the next day, also adding the stale bread that would have been left over.
Braised fennel with tomato
Braised fennel with tomato is a surprising starter or garnish that can be served both hot and cold. The fennel reminds of anise in its flavor, and this detail is delicately accentuated by the spices in this recipe.
Vegetarian borscht (beetroot soup) recipe
This Eastern European soup is probably the most famous in the world. As its preparation varies according to the region and tradition of each family, it would be impossible to establish an “official recipe”. This vegetarian variant is the one I like and usually cook, but I also mention other possible options to investigate and try.
Pumpkin soup recipe with coconut milk and curry
This pumpkin soup is a spectacular and unusual autumn recipe to surprise diners. The mixture of pumpkin with coconut milk plus a touch of curry make this cream a very tasty starter. Using the method described, it will also not be necessary to have prepared a vegetable broth in advance.
Mediterranean salad with smoked herring and potatoes
I learned this recipe in the Peloponnese. Herring is a widely consumed fish in Europe, mostly smoked or pickled, and it is common to find it in salads, accompanied by potatoes. But in Germany, Baltic or Nordic countries it is dressed manly with mayonnaise, cream, etc., which makes the salad heavier. On the other hand, this Mediterranean version is fresh and light, but very satiating and nutritious at the same time.
Beetroot pkhali, an amazing starter from Georgia
“Pkhali” is a very tasty Georgian starter which can be made from different vegetables, normally beetroot, spinach or aubergines. The veggies are cooked and blended into a paste, which gets thickened with walnuts and seasoned with many herbs and spices.
Stuffed courgette flowers (fiori di zucca ripieni)
This is another example of a very easy and tasty Mediterranean starter. Courgette flowers have a very delicate flavor and are usually cooked stuffed with rice in Greece and Turkey, or otherwise with fresh cheese in Italy.
Easy recipe of mushroom soup
This recipe is a guaranteed success, not only because mushrooms are always very well received, but also thanks to their pairing with dairy products, which further intensifies the flavor of this soup.
The secrets to prepare your ideal Andalusian gazpacho
This soup from South Spain is with no doubt one of the most famous in the world, and has the particularity that it’s served very cold. For this reason, a gazpacho is always a very tasty and refreshing starter for the summer. As the variations of this recipe are infinite, it’s important to learn the secrets that will allow us to prepare the ideal gazpacho according to our preference.
