Vegetarian Christmas Eve Nibbly Bits

[Springisintheairohyeah]

Looking for nice ideas for a nibbly vegetarian Christmas Eve dinner - want something that can be grazed on throughout the night. I'm open to cooking from scratch, but because of the way the night's going to go I want something that people can dip in and out of as they like, rather than something that we all have to sit down together to eat hot.

Was thinking some nice cheese with crackers, grapes, chutneys etc could be the starting point - but what else to go with? My brain is getting stuck at "not charcuterie" and I can't think beyond that

Really not a fan of the ready made bung it in the oven type stuff (mini spring rolls etc.), and hummus is boring - although it's just grazing stuff, would be nice to make it still feel a bit special.

50% of the people coming do eat fish - but only cooked - so the obvious and easy smoked salmon out of the question.

I'll be making home made mince pies, lebkuchen and mulled cider/hot choc so sweet stuff and drinks taken care of.

Any suggestions to complement the cheese, or am I better off going back to the drawing board?

@RaininSummer , you have a point but your tone is a bit aggressive.
It does seem a bit odd to say it's a vegetarian dinner and mention fish for some guests.

It also says “only cooked fish, so the obvious and easy smoked salmon is out”. Clearly inviting other fish suggestions.

We have stuffing sandwiches Christmas Eve! Mix some boiled chopped onions in like my grandma used to and soft white teacakes with loads of proper butter on.

That sounds delicious! I’d want some gravy to dip them in.

How about falafel? Delicious and filling, and goes well with your hummus and veg sticks.

Homity pie - my favourite is from Cranks - https://cranks.co.uk/recipes/homity-pie/ although I use ordinary pastry rather than wholemeal.

vegetarian nut wellington from the Happy Foodie. https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/vegetarian-nut-wellington/

Both can be made ahead and served cold for slicing.

A big bowl of roast vegetables always goes down well. I have two large roasting trays which fit in my big oven and I just put a good mixture of different veg on there mixed with oil, salt, pepper, chopped garlic, garlic granules or garlic paste, whichever spices and herbs I fancy, put them in the oven at a good high temperature until they are cooked through and nicely toasty on the outside. Mix in bowl or put on platter attempting to keep each one separate, depending on how good you are at presentation (I am useless at that). Garnish with chopped parsley or torn basil leaves or similar.

Suggested veg: red onions, peppers of various colours, courgettes, aubergines, mushrooms (baby ones look good), cauliflower florets (lovely with cumin and other Middle Eastern spices), baby carrots/multi-coloured carrots, cherry vine tomatoes, baby sweetcorn. Chop or slice or whatever as necessary to make sure they will all cook at about the same rate.

Things I like on a buffet:
samosas
Good old fashioned dainty veggie sandwiches cut into triangles (proper butter and nice fresh bread)
Baked Camembert with crudités
baby potatoes - baked with olive oil and garlic granules
Big grain salad
Mozzerella sticks

Pesto twists! So easy and indulgent for Christmas Eve. Our Christmas Eve host makes them every year!

An easy canapé we often serve is guac on top of roasted sweet potato slices.

I like a fruit platter even if not super seasonal but with or without I would love to come to your party!

Nibbly bits, nibbles, picky bits....food that can sit out and people can nibble at as takes their fancy

Vol au vents and devilled eggs giving me retro vibes (in a good way!)

To be fair that makes it sound a lot better than how we usually eat it, just straight out of the big tub with a boring carrot stick

So a mezze table?

I'm intrigued - what's a pom bom?

Would the salmon be okay cold do you think? Definitely going to add devilled eggs, seen a few suggestions for those and haven't had them for years! Remember making a Nigella version ages ago and everyone devoured them

I've made the meaty version of those chipolatas in the past and they were lovely - switching out to a veggie version, great idea. They're definitely getting included

Definitely fine cold! That’s how we have it.

Lol no, just wasn't sure what to call it

Love pease pudding! That's a great idea (even if no one else likes it - I can just polish it off myself)

Not sure if cheese and biscuits (and now definitely devilled eggs) is sufficiently exotic to qualify as mezze, but that sort of thing, yes

Hungrily lurking

Some great suggestions here - including some things which I love but had just sort of forgotten existed (spanikopita, devilled eggs, Nigella's Christmas sausages). They will definitely be getting added.

And to clarify the point because my OP may have been confusing - fish suggestions also welcome - half of the people there will eat fish, the other half are vegetarian. I figured it was easier to start with a vegetarian menu in mind, so everyone can enjoy, but no issue with including one or two fishy things for the 50% who do partake

I've made this for several occasions and it's so so good, especially if you're generous with the chilli. I've served with small chunks of baguette or bread.
https://rivercottage.net/recipes/cambodian-wedding-day-dip/

I always do a side of salmon for boxing day buffet as my vegetarian son started eating fish a few years back, he eats it hot or cold and if lots left over I freeze cooked portions as it will reheat or he likes it in fried rice. Nothing goes to waste here😂

my vegetarian son started eating fish a few years back he's not vegetarian.