Vegetarian Appetizer Ideas
Using vegetarian food for appetizers won't limit your menu to the standard vegetable platter. Dips, spreads, fruits, nuts and small cooked items can all be made without having to use meat. When preparing for a small dinner party or larger event, having at least one tasty appetizer can help your guests relax before settling in to the evening meal.
-
Dips, Spreads and Cheeses
-
Pairing crackers or chips with dips and spreads is easy on the host and familiar for the guests. Common dips are salsas, guacamole, and sour cream and herb dips that work well with plain potato chips or vegetables. If you want to expand your repertoire, try laying out chickpea or black bean hummus with pita bread. A puree of roasted vegetables also makes a less-ordinary spread for crackers, as does a fresh green pesto.
Cheese can be displayed in a number of ways. Small cubes of hard cheese or wedges of softer brie are popular with a sliced baguette. You can also try combining three kinds of grated cheese, forming them into a ball and chilling for an hour before serving. And there's always fondue for a retro feel.
Vegetable and Fruit Platters
-
Yes, they may be a little old hat, but people still eat them. Feel free to stray beyond the celery stalk and try marinating and roasting peppers and asparagus or baking sticks of sweet potato. Lightly steaming broccoli and cauliflower spears will also bring out their flavor and color and make them a little easier eat.
With fruit platters, use seasonal fruit when available. Chunks of pineapple, mango and watermelon are refreshing and can be easily picked up with toothpicks.
Olives, Mushrooms and Stuffed Snacks
-
Create an olive tray with two or three kinds of olives; add pepperoncinis or other pickled vegetables and serve with a block of feta cheese in the middle. Many larger supermarkets, particularly natural-food stores, sell a wide variety of olives or may even display an olive bar with several types to choose from. Buying olives without the pits will be less cumbersome for your guests.
Stuffed mushrooms make great appetizers. Mix cooked spinach, grated cheese and minced, sauteed onions together for a simple stuffing and then bake until the mushrooms just begin to sweat and brown. Deviled eggs are a good standby and can be spiced up by adding cumin, cilantro or dill to the egg stuffing.
Simple fillings can also be used in frozen puff pastry and baked. Likewise, see what's available at the supermarket to help fill out the menu if you're short on time. Baby quiches, dolmas, nut and cracker snack mixes, herbed popcorn and wasabi peas are only a few ideas for store-bought vegetarian appetizers.
-
