Here’s a Christine Collins original that’s a terrific starter to any meal. Photograph: Denise Bradley.

Here’s an idea for a starter with a difference that not only looks good, but tastes delicious too. It’s a recipe I devised myself a while ago and is always a winner.

Smoked chicken has so much more flavour and is now readily available through specialist shops such as Bunning and Co of Cranworth or supermarkets. Mixed with avocado and black grapes it is absolutely delicious.

One tip when preparing the dried apple. The size of the stack you create will be dictated by the diameter of the apple, so don’t start with a fruit that is very small.

To serve, you could drizzle olive oil, mixed with chopped fresh herbs around the edge of the plate and provide lots of crispy home-made bread to mop it up.

Smoked Chicken with Avocado and Air-Dried Apple
Serves six to eight

2 smoked chicken breasts, chopped
2 avocados chopped
2 red skinned apples
4 vine tomatoes
small bunch of black grapes
mayonnaise

stock syrup
6 tbsp caster sugar
6 tbsp water
lemon juice

Prepare the air-dried apples
Prepare air-dried apples – this can be done several days ahead. Put the sugar and water into a heavy based saucepan
and bring to the boil slowly.
Neatly core the apples, then using a mandolin or very sharp knife cut them into slices about 1mm thick. Drop the apple into the lemon syrup and arrange on a baking sheet lined with non-stick silicone baking sheet.
Dry out in the oven on the lowest setting until the apple will come off the baking sheet. Lay on rack until firm, then store in an airtight container.

Prepare the chicken and fruit
Cut chicken breast into small pieces. Peel avocado, chop and drizzle with lemon. Cut black grapes into small pieces and combine with chicken, avocado and mayonnaise. Taste for seasoning.

Assemble the dish
Cut tomatoes into thin slices and arrange on centre of plates – three rounds on each – then place a cutter or ring on top and fill with chicken and press down. Remove cutter and lay apple on top, then some more chicken and another apple slice.

Serve the dish
Serve with home-made bread.

• Christine Collins, based in West Tofts near Thetford, is a master chef of Great Britain and one of the country’s leading outside caterers. She also cooks for private dinner parties. Christine can be contacted on 01842 756646.