Christmas Day - evening vegan snacks

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

We eat Christmas lunch mid afternoon. So Christmas Day evening we have a cheeseboard, turkey sandwiches for anyone who wants something a bit more substantial. Mince pies, Christmas cake and of course chocolate if people want something sweet. Grapes and satsumas (and other fruit) available as required.
We've invited a friend and her son to join us for Christmas Day evening. They declined lunch but happy to have company in the evening. He is vegan. Am thinking maybe a grazing table would work, could still have a small cheese platter as part of that (I believe vegan cheese isn't that great for crackers?)
Fruit ok anyway. I'm thinking dips which are naturally vegan (eg humus and crudités, aubergine or artichoke dips which I can make ahead) and things like cherry tomatoes - but how can I make it more substantial, whilst as easy as cheese and biscuits but vegan?
I'll make a vegan cake which can be eaten by all and keep the mince pies and Christmas cake for Boxing Day. I'll make sure we have some vegan chocolate (actually would probably be quite easy to make vegan Rocky road).
I'm not going to worry about drinks, I have a friend who is vegan and she's always happy to bring her own (but will happily drink any Prosecco without asking too many questions!)
I know it's still October but I have a heavy couple of months ahead so want to get my planning done while I have some free time.

Ideally, things which would appeal to everyone to reduce prep, and not embarrass vegan guest.
Thank you

It might be worth asking your friend’s son if he actually likes vegan cheese. I find it ok in a burger but I’m not sure how well it stands on its own on a cracker.

I would do something totally different from the cheese board because not all meat / dairy foods can be successfully replicated for vegans. So dips, pâtés, etc with nice crackers or bread, as pp have suggested.

It sounds like he’s the only vegan coming, is that right? Nonetheless, if you could try to make sure other guests don’t help themselves to a bit of everything before he’s had a chance,, leaving little for him, I think he’d appreciate that. Maybe put the food that’s suitable for vegans to one side of the table so it’s obvious to omnivores!

Most vegans have a story about coming to a buffet table to find just bread and a sad scraping of hummus in a bowl because everyone wants a try. BIL hosted a lunch where he made vegetarian and vegan pasta, with bits of fried bacon to sprinkle on for the omnivores and vegan “bacon” for the vegans. Everyone was so keen to try the vegan bacon that by the time our vegetarian family came to the table there was only actual bacon left .

Or make it 80% vegan and put the meat/cheese off to one side and clearly labelled. If your omnivorous guests are eating all the veggie/vegan stuff then they’re not bad or thoughtless guests - you’ve simply got the catering wrong.

I hate the rationing of veggie and vegan products. It requires the plant-based eaters to consult at the buffet to determine whether there’s enough for all or only those with specified dietary restrictions.

Recipe ideas: tapenade (homemade or Greek Kitchen make a vegan version), guacamole (avocado, vegan yoghurt, coriander, lime juice, garlic, dash of chilli flakes, salt…whizz through food processor), savoury nut butter. Vegan “dipping”/soft cheese - made from cashew nuts, again v simple to make. Roast peppers, mini vegan burgers (homemade super easy & freeze well) cocktail sausages - there’s a brand called Gosh & another called Chic P which are so much better than Quorn or Linda McCartney. Also IME, most meat substitutes are pretty rank & chewy. Much tastier to have proper old school “bean & veg” based burgers/sausages. Let me know if you would like any recipes 😊

Personally, I think grazing tables in the era of Covid is an absolute no-no. That aside, I would keep the vegan food as separate as possible by making him a board just for him & make it clear that it’s for him & not a free for all! Not only to ensure that he has enough food but also to prevent any cross-contamination. Whether he’s vegan for ethical or dietary reasons (eg severe egg allergy) I suspect many of us would prefer to have our food kept wholly separate from any animal based food, especially cold cuts etc. It’s simply a bit off-putting to have vegan dishes surrounded by non-vegan.

Very helpful @EdinaMonsoon, thank you. I'd prefer to make the bulk of it vegan, lots of suggestions on here would appeal to all.

Maybe I'll do mainly plant based and a tray of non-vegan stuff in a different place. Get your point re Covid and grazing tables but was thinking I'd give everyone their own labelled tongs. Always assuming we're allowed household mixing by then!

I catered my own wedding buffet. My cousin let me know that he was vegan so I did a couple of vegan dishes as well as providing vegan mayonnaise and dips, a vegan top tier for the cake, and vegan canapés.

I carefully explained what was what, only for him to say, "Well, I'm not strictly vegan," and tuck into all the vegetarian stuff (eggs and dairy) as well.

Sigh.

@pensterino how annoying and that was really inconsiderate of your cousin. This guy is very definitely vegan!

@MyAnacondaMight

Crisps, crudités and dips are all easily vegan. Then perhaps bread, crackers and a couple of vegan pâtés as an alternative to cheese. Vegan sausage rolls are everywhere at Christmas - or just go for Linda McCartney.

Any recommendations for shop bought vegan pate please? Or tried and tested recipes? I am happy to make things but if there are good quality shop bought versions that would be helpful as vegan snacks are in addition to the rest of the Christmas cooking (but don't want the guest to feel like that!)

@Lifeisforalimitedperiodonly

Plus - there are vegan mince pies! I'm eating one right now. This one is from Co-op but loads do them.

I was coming to say this too. Asda normally have vegan ones. Asda own brand vegan cheese is good on crackers (or just eaten on its own) too.