What's your favourite vegan menu?

[LittleFriendSusan]

I need inspiration! Planning my menu for a get together for 6 later this month. Casual afternoon / evening type thing - basically lots of drinks & nibbles then food served over the course of the day. Prep ahead as much as possible. Nothing too spicy as a couple not keen (but mild heat with option to add chilli etc. is fine).

Recently we've had whole roast cauliflower, cottage pie type things, indian curries & I can't remember what else. I'm a reasonably competent cook but my mind is blank - everything I think of seems to involve cheese in some form 😂

Tabbouleh, falafel, salads etc maybe

A few of my favourites:

Jackfruit ragu www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/mains/braised-jackfruit-and-walnut-ragu
Chocolate orange mousse belazu.com/recipe/vegan-chocolate-orange-mousse

Tagine elizabethchloe.com/moroccan-vegetable-tagine-recipe/
Mango sorbet www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/mango-sorbet/

Vegan moussaka realfood.tesco.com/recipes/rich-vegetable-moussaka.html
Grilled nectarines https://veggiedesserts.com/grilled-nectarines/

I've just made some gorgeous bruschetta with sweetheart tomatoes and LOTS of garlic! Definitely my favourite vegan starter!

This is good, it says they are spicy bit you can nake them as spicy as you want. My kids that hate spicy love these https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spicy-black-bean-tacos

I like spanokopita. I don't know about their filo but the jus roll puff is vegan.

Thanks all - keep them coming!!

Not a fan of jackfruit so that's a no & tabbouleh, mezze type things is one of my usual go-tos so looking for something a bit different this time. Although it's there as a back up - some sort of grain salad and an aubergine type thing (could always add feta / halloumi for the non - vegans).

Tagine - I've done this before too & know some of my friends aren't overly keen on fruit in stew type things. Or couscous for that matter so maybe not!!

Moussaka - maybe but again very similar to things we've done before.

Tacos - it's an option, but more of a weeknight dinner type thing for me.

Bruschetta - my friend did bruschetta starter a few weeks back so that's out.

Spanakopita - is that not spinach and feta? So no good for vegan...

Sorry, I am being awkward I know!!

Houmous and tapenade are both vegan - but may be too close to your go to mezze

https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegetarian/chickpea-and-vegetable-koftes-with-tahini-yogurt-sauce/
This is lovely. I serve it with herby couscous with some pomegranate seeds over the top for wanky effect.

https://www.wagamama.com/cook/wok-from-home/curries/chicken-katsu-curry
This also goes down well. I microwave slices of pumpkin/sweet potato/bns etc before flour/soy milk/panko. Aubergine doesn't need to be nuked before. Shallow fry then bung in oven for a bit (or fry before hand and in oven to reheat later).

You can leave the feta out.

I'd recommend a fair amount of dill and mint.

I'd go Mexican, nachos, fajitas and an easy dessert

I think savoury tart tartins work well. Tomato, carrot, beetroot and shallot are lovely

miso aubergines

aloo tikki burgers

butternut squash and sage risotto

asparagus gallette

Vietnamese tofu summer rolls

beef tomatoes stuffed with lemon rice, herbs, diced veg

dosas with griddled cauliflower, coriander, mint and dips

aubergine boats stuffed with veggie bean chilli

pressed stuffed picnic loaf with vegan pesto and griddled vegetables and olives

Personally I'd choose a theme and go with that as a start. So Indian curries, Thai curry, Japanese ramen or sushi, Moroccan couscous / tagine, Mexican tortilla based food or chilli over polenta, Spanish grilled vegetables and tapas, vegetable tarts, BBQ veggies with lots of salads, Pizzas, Chinese dishes with black bean sauce, sweet and sour...
There's so much to choose from, maybe think what you'd like to cook and then work out how to make it vegan :)

Personally my favourite is daal with lots of paratha and aubergine bhaji followed by mango sorbet, but tonight I've eaten my own body weight of Baba ganoush and avocado salad!

Wild mushroom open ravioli.

Vietnamese lettuce wraps bursting with fresh ingredients.

Arancini with a dipping sauce

Ratatouille with fresh French bread, followed by baked caramelised peaches sprinkled with toasted almonds.

You haven't really mentioned East Asian food. Would a dim sum selection, sushi/sushi bowls, or ramen work? Also no mention of Italian - focaccia, bowls of pasta, pizzas (cheeseless)?

I have made Crispy Oyster Mushroom Skewers with Crushed Chickpeas and loved it, the recipe does use greek yogurt but I'm sure you could substitute without compromising the meal.

Tacos are a good idea - can be as fancy as you like. You could do cornbread squares with various toppings (avocado, roast tomatoes, chilli jam etc), and frijoles (mashed black beans) with tortilla chips as snacks. Then tacos of different types/colours with various filling options: roast cauliflower, chickpeas, chipotle mushrooms, etc - all with avocado, salsas, pickled red onions, jalapeños, coriander. Make your own tortillas if you like. Sides could be roast squash with chipotle mayo and pickled cactus, and maybe a fresh sweetcorn salad. Loads of possibilities.

I’d do a big pot of 5 bean chilli, mild, with the option of adding various toppings, (can have non-vegan stuff like sour cream if there are non-vegans attending) jacket potatoes to go with!

if warmer or you want more of a showstopper then I’d crack out a lovely vegan paella! Ok no bruschetta if you’ve had that recently but roasted peppers or aubergine make a lovely dip with flatbreads to start

I also love tacos. A place local to me does brilliantly inventive (if inauthentic) vegan tacos such as agave carrot or burnt leek.

The Guardians’s New Vegan column might be worth a look for ideas. I really like this Hasselback Celeriac recipe. It is quite messy to eat though.

Adzuki beans balls / burgers.

Mini pita bread with hummus.

Tomato and Aubergine casserole.

Basmati rice cooked with cashew nuts and a bit of spice.

Stuffed bake cucumber or peppers.

Garlic mushrooms - use oil instead of butter obviously.

Tray bake of different veg, oil a large baking sheet and then put piles of different veg, add a little oil on top (I use a spray) it works well with

Leeks
Onions (although they cook quickly)
Mushrooms
Asparagus
Sliced peppers
Cauliflower - I'd probably add some seasoning to that.

Soups?

Courgette and coriander.
Cauliflower.
Potato and leek.

Pasta either hot or as a salad.

Salad.

I’ll second the shout out to the Guardian’s New Vegan column, and also the suggestion of tacos. I know you said they feel more midweek meal, but I’d be delighted to eat tacos with a variety of salsas (which can accommodate various spice levels), interesting fillings, and maybe something like frijoles on the side.

This recipe for Muhammara chickpea stew is a recipe I tried recently and I found it totally delicious and mentally bookmarked it as something is be happy to serve vegan guests. It was rich and full of flavour without feeling heavy, and works with advance prep. I served with these roasted carrots with a tahini sauce which were also amazing. The sauce has yogurt, but that could easily be switched for a dairy free yogurt.