Whats a good, simple starter to serve before a lasagna?!


Question: Whats a good, simple starter to serve before a lasagna!?
I'm doing a competition at school, in which i have to make a main course and a starter in 1 hour and 30 mins, involving good cooking skills!. I've chosen to do a lasagna for the main course, but i can't for the life of me think of a starter to have before it!. I CAN NOT do soup, as everyone else is doing that!. It has to involve skills (not be too easy) and not take too long to do as i have only 1 hour and a half!.

Thanks for any ideas :)

Recipes would be welcome! :DWww@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Make a caprese salad and serve it on top of baguette slices!.

Caprese is sliced tomatoes, basil leaves and fresh mozzarella slices dressed with a little olive oil and salt/pepper!. What I would do is slice up a baguette nice and thin and arrange it on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic powder (alternatively you can cut a fresh clove in half and rub it on the toast after it comes out of the oven!.) I usually throw it in a 400 degree oven until it's golden brown!. Then take a slice of tomato, a basil leaf and a slice of fresh mozzarella and arrange that on the toast!. Drizzle on more olive oil and give it a little salt and pepper!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

Grilled chicken caesar salad (with home made caesar dressing of course!) with garlic bread knots!.

Grilled chicken caesar salad:

http://www!.foodnetwork!.com/recipes/eatin!.!.!.

Caesar dressing:

http://www!.foodnetwork!.com/recipes/caesa!.!.!.

Garlic bread knots:

http://www!.foodnetwork!.com/recipes/emeri!.!.!.

You could even (if you feel like you would have the time) serve the garlic knots with marinara sauce:

http://www!.foodnetwork!.com/recipes/food-!.!.!.


Good luck! I'm sure you'll win!Www@FoodAQ@Com

Egg and Tomato Salad
1 small tomato, thinly sliced
1 hard-cooked egg, sliced
Leaf lettuce
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 drops hot pepper sauce!.
On a salad plate or in a bowl, alternate tomato and egg slices on lettuce!. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until smooth!. Pour over salad and serve immediately!. Yield: 1 serving!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com

I like a tossed salad with spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, and either yellow or red peppers!.

Dressing should be Italian (my favorite Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette) Www@FoodAQ@Com

Salad, definitely!. Throw a bunch of veggies into a mixed green leaf salad and add ranch/italian dressing!. It's so easy and a crowd pleaser!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Bread and you should make that sauce that you get at italian restaurants the one with the seasoning and olive oil!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Caesar Salad!?Www@FoodAQ@Com

a simple salad or fruit salad!.!.french bread with !.!.or garlic bread withWww@FoodAQ@Com

tossed saladWww@FoodAQ@Com

fresh garlic bread is greatWww@FoodAQ@Com

I would suggest a nice Italian ice over a salad!. You'll need to get ahold of one of those quickie ice cream makers that you prefreeze overnight before adding your ingredients!.
This is not a dessert but a palate cleanser to prepare your diners for a pretty heavy dish like lasagne!. A salad is too obvious if you are looking for a good grade with something creative!.
The suggestions with breads, tomatoes and cheese are just too heavy as a precursor to lasagne!. Your guests are already going to be eating plently of those ingredients in your main dish!
This could be garnished with mint leaves, maybe a couple of rasberries and blueberries!. Even if it is not frozen solid it can still be made presentable!.
I have made a similar recipe below and it came out great!.
Lemon Italian Ice Ingredients:


3 c Water
1 1/4 c Sugar
1 1/2 ts Grated lemon peel
3/4 c Lemon juice

--------------------------------------!.!.!.
Lemon Italian Ice Instructions:

Combine water, sugar and lemon peel in medium saucepan!.
Bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly!.
remove from heat and allow to cool!.
(you could cool faster by placing the mixure in another dish in the freezer)
Pour mixture into canister of ice cream maker!.
stir in lemon juice!.
Freeze according to manufacturer's directions!.
Makes 1 quart!.Www@FoodAQ@Com





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