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Festive Specials Ideas! The Vegan Edition!
- Jazz
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
Ready to sprinkle some serious festive magic on your menu? Forget the usual vegan soup and stuffed peppers this year! We're here to spark your inspiration with innovative, must-have Vegetarian & Vegan Starter Ideas this Winter. Take these concepts as your starting point, pour your heart into them, and craft truly spectacular, original dishes that showcase your unique culinary spirit this Christmas season.
1. Vegan Crispy Baked Avocado Fries with Zesty Lime Aioli
Move over, potato fries! These baked avocado fries are a game-changer. Creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with healthy fats, they're an irresistible treat. The zesty lime aioli adds a perfect tangy kick.
Why it's a winner:
Unique, satisfying, and a great way to enjoy avocado in a new form.
2. Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze A classic for a reason! Caprese skewers are effortlessly elegant and bursting with fresh flavours. Cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and creamy mozzarella balls are threaded onto skewers and drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. For a vegan starter, simply swap the dairy mozzarella for a good-quality vegan mozzarella alternative.
Why it's a winner: Simple to assemble, visually appealing, and incredibly fresh. Imagine a platter of these colourful skewers ready to be devoured!
3. Festive Cranberry & Rosemary Vegan Cheese Log
A creamy, tangy cashew-based vegan cheese log is rolled in a beautiful coating of finely chopped fresh rosemary and jewel-toned dried cranberries. The rich white "cheese" against the deep red and green topping is instantly festive and a gorgeous nod to classic Christmas colours. Serve with toasted baguette slices or water crackers.
Why it's a winner:
The ultimate holiday aesthetic. Rich, savoury, and easy to make ahead
4. Spiced Pear & Walnut Crostini
with Vegan Ricotta
These crostini offer a wonderful blend of sweet, savoury, and spicy notes, making them ideal for a festive appetiser. Thin slices of pear are sautéed with warm spices like cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup, then placed atop toasted baguette slices spread with creamy, homemade vegan ricotta (cashew or almond-based). A sprinkle of toasted walnuts adds a delightful crunch and extra seasonal flair.
Why it's a winner: Elegant, sophisticated, and perfectly encapsulates the cosy, warm flavours of winter.
5. Spinach & Artichoke Dip Stuffed Mushrooms
Turn a beloved party dip into an impressive individual starter! Cremini or button mushrooms are de-stemmed, brushed with a little olive oil, and then filled generously with a creamy, rich vegan spinach and artichoke dip. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is warm and bubbly. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of paprika for extra colour.
Why it's a winner: A familiar and much-loved flavour combination, presented in a refined, individual portion. It's warm, comforting, and perfect for a cosy Christmas gathering.
6. Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprout Skewers
with Pomegranate
Turn the oft-maligned Brussels sprout into a holiday highlight! Roast the sprouts until caramelised and tender. Thread them onto small skewers or toothpicks along with whole cloves of garlic (optional) and then drizzle generously with a rich, syrupy balsamic glaze. Just before serving, sprinkle the skewers with bright red pomegranate arils for a pop of colour and tartness, making this appetiser perfectly Christmas-themed.
Why it's a winner: Sweet, savoury, and caramelised flavour; utilises a classic winter vegetable; and the red and green presentation makes it incredibly festive and chic.
7. Spicy Sriracha Glazed Cauliflower Bites with Toasted Sesame Seeds
These bites are a delicious way to bring some heat to your festive table! Florets of cauliflower are roasted until tender-crisp, then tossed in a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze made with sriracha, maple syrup, garlic, and a touch of ginger. Finish with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and visual appeal. Serve them warm as a delightful finger food.
Why it's a winner: Bold, exciting flavours; satisfyingly spicy; and a great vegan starter.
8. Beetroot Carpaccio with Whipped Horseradish
Tofu Cream & Candied Pecans
Thinly sliced, marinated beetroot (Golden or candy stripe varieties add visual interest) is carefully laid out like carpaccio. It is then dotted with a light, airy whipped tofu "cream" subtly seasoned with fresh horseradish root and lemon zest. Finished with scattering of house-made candied pecans for crunch and sweetness, and a micro herb garnish (we recommend Micro basil)
Why it's a winner This vegan starter can be prepped fully in advance, allowing for rapid, beautiful plating during high-volume service.
9. Smoked Paprika & Sherry-Glazed King Oyster "Scallops" This starter delivers a decadent, seafood-like experience without any actual seafood, making it an impressive vegan dish. Thick slices of King Oyster mushroom are scored and pan-seared until golden. They are then gently tossed in a rich, deeply savoury glaze made from Spanish sherry (Oloroso or Amontillado), smoked paprika, a hint of chili, and fresh thyme. Served over a bed of creamy, bright green parsnip or celeriac purée, offering a stunning colour and temperature contrast.
Why it's a winner: It offers a luxurious texture and a deep flavour profile, and something a bit different
10. Charred Parsnip, Chestnut, and Black Garlic Velouté
This starter elevates a simple soup course into a luxurious, dramatically presented starter, perfect for a high-end Christmas dining experience. A creamy, pale gold velouté is made from deeply charred parsnips and rich, earthy chestnuts, giving it an intense, smoky sweetness. The real show-stopper is the garnish: the hot soup is poured around a central element—a meticulously placed quenelle of black garlic vegan tapenade, a few drops of bright green chive oil, and crisp fried sage leaves.
Why it's a winner: This Starter is dramatic in presentation and sensory experience (smell of hot soup/truffle). It utilises premium,
complex flavours (black garlic, charring technique) and adds class to your
Which would you like to try?
Charred Parsnip, Chestnut, and Black Garlic Velouté
Smoked Paprika & Sherry-Glazed King Oyster "Scallops"
Beetroot Carpaccio with Whipped Horseradish Tofu
Spicy Sriracha Glazed Cauliflower Bites
You can vote for more than one answer.
.would give them all a try,but not the Brussel sprouts,there a big No no for me