Vegetarian party spread

[Maloneyb]

Hi all
im throwing a party for my dads bday but it will all be vegetarian foods..
the “main” will be pizza and im going to make a veggie spag bol for anyone who doesn’t want pizza

what nibbles could I do? I was thinking olives, cheese, crackers… any other ideas?

also, we tend to do a veggie meal and it’s not an issue for any of the meat eaters attending so if we could just focus on the veggie nibbles idea that would be great.

You could stick with the Italian theme…
Grissini
Crostini
Caprese skewers
Olives
Arancini

Figs with goats cheese, little mini squares of puff pastry topped with red onion chutney/cheddar or brie/cranberry, mini cheese scones, chopped kale from a bag (bash it around first to tenderise any tough bits) with a bit if sea salt/olive oil in the oven for a few mins - delicious kale crisps.

I think it's a great idea to stick to veggie - sometimes all the non vegetarians snaffle all the veggie food because it looks so yum!

Carrot, cucumber celery, peppers sticks, dips and crackers,
veggie muffins (sweet potato and spinach).

How many people?

Will you have enough chairs/table space for spag Bol? It's not your typical party food and can't be eaten with one hand whilst standing up.

Big cheese board with brad/cracker/grapes/figs/celery/pickles.

A couple of salads - maybe a green one and a fresh coleslaw?
Big tray of hot veggie sausage rolls.
And then olives, those little cheese stuffed peppers, bits and pieces like that.

I agree about the spag bol being difficult to eat as party food. If you are going to do it, maybe use pasta shapes instead of spaghetti.

A variety of salads would be nice too.

Quiche
Mini wraps
Dips
Crisps
Vegetables for dipping
Olives
Bread
Samosas and Bajhis
Cheese
Salad
Vegetable and halloumi skewers

What about sweet things?
Tiramisu, trifle, cheesecake, gateaus etc

Nice salad stuff like potato salad, couscous , pasta salad.

Carrot, cucumber, celery and hummus

Falafel

Garlic bread

Cheese board

Stuffed peppers

Also think spag Bol is not a good idea.

If you want to do something like that go for veggie chilli and rice or veggie lasagne.

Are you thinking of making the nibbles or buying them? How many people? Will you have access to the oven to re-heat things? These can all be made a day ahead to save time on the day.
https://www.amummytoo.co.uk/filo-pastry-mini-quiches-great-for-kids-to-make-and-eat/
Obviously not with with ham in, but almost any combo works. Tomatoe, basil, onions, chives, different cheese etc- just check about rennet.

A frittata. I love red onion, pumpkin, rosemary, goats cheese and pinenuts but almost anything can go in. Make a day ahead and cut into squares on the day.https://www.themediterraneandish.com/vegetable-frittata/

Veggie sausage rolls
Veggie skewers https://theforkedspoon.com/veggie-skewers/
https://www.sugarsaltmagic.com/spinach-cob-dip-recipe/
Curried or deviled eggs. They look much nicer if piped into the eggs, with a sprinkle or chives or parsley over the top https://susanjoyfultable.com/recipes/salads-vegetables/curried-eggs/

IF you don't want to cook anything else, then dips with carrot/celery/pepper batons. Olives, cheese platter, crackers etc is fine.

Good point re spag bol. May just do the mince and fusilli or something to go with.
~25-30. Not out of the ordinary for us 😅

@Mumwithbaggage oh my life this sounds incredible thank you!!

Thanks, we have a birthday cake which I think will suffice 😄

Definitely need more sweet stuff than just birthday cake imo, even if just a pile of brownies and some ice cream.

Personally, I'd lose the pasta completely.

Are you sure nobody is gluten free, they are both high in gluten and would be a problem for me (I don't have to 100% avoid so don't make a fuss, but I need to minimise, my heart then sinks if it's pizza or pasta!)

How long will the party be likely to go on for? When in the party are these 'nibbles' going to be served? Before the pizza and spaghetti Bolognaise? Along side? Later in the day?
If before keep it really simple, crisps, nuts, olives, crudités maybe a few very small, very simple one bite canapés.
If along side then I would go for things that compliment the dishes you are serving, a rocket and (vegetarian imitation) Parmesan salad, a tomato, onion, basil and mozzarella salad, some garlic bread or dough balls, maybe some bite size arancini cooked in advance and reheated to serve.

Yes I have gluten free covered x

Anything with a dip is lovely - veggie sticks, crisps or crispy potato skins you could make ahead and reheat. My mum makes muffin-tin sized versions of delia’s red onion and goat’s cheese tarts at Christmas, which are a real treat. Flat bread/ garlic bread? And these are a bit fiddly but they do look pretty but any crostini type thing always looks good if you don’t fancy these ones. Have a lovely time xxx

I love mushroom vol au vents
cheese & onion mini rolls
big wraps then cut into 1" rounds
stuffed vine leaves
savory mini muffins

Honestly, I'd avoid stuff like pizzas and bologneses, and just go for several really huge cheeseboards with all the trimmings, plus a good selection of antipasti. I'd also have fruit platters as well as the cake.

Thank you all
we’re ditching the pasta and grabbing some chips!

we love mushrooms!! So will have to look into some mushroom things.

@mrsm43s what antipasti would you do?

im definitely doing a cheeseboard too :)