Picking interesting vegan and vegetarian options can be difficult, and everything seems to be the same. Typical options are salad, or ‘fake meat’, which doesn’t always go down well. A lot of vegans and vegetarians don’t want to feel like they’re eating meat (could be due to texture, taste, or just the thought of eating an animal), so serving meat substitutes (such as vegan sausages) isn’t always the best option, which is why we don’t! Hosting an event and needing to cater to those with these dietary requirements can be a task, and avoiding boring options, particularly if the host isn’t vegan/veggie is tricky. Green Fig has the perfect menu list for you.
What’s the difference between vegetarians, vegans & pescatarians?
The first problem some people face is understanding the difference between these two diets. However, this is a really important distinction to make if you want to ensure all of your guests are well fed at your event, no matter what it might be.
Vegan: Vegans do not eat meat OR ANY animal products. This means that anything from an animal (eg, egg, milk, honey, etc) is off limits. This may extend past a diet and become a lifestyle choice, with some choosing to wear vegan clothes (eg, no leather, fur, wool, etc), or use vegan products. Seeing ‘(vg)’ on a menu indicates that the product is vegan.
Vegetarian: Vegetarians are people who choose not to eat meat, but will still eat other animal products. This differs from vegans, as vegetarians only cut the meat out, not all animal products. On a menu, ‘(v)’ is used to show the meal is vegetarian
Pescatarian: Pescatarians are similar to vegetarians in that they do not eat meat but still choose to eat animal products like dairy. However, the main distinction is that people in this diet eat fish, while vegetarians and vegans don’t.
Listed below are a few of our favourites, that are very often on the menu for guests at the events we cater for:
1. Sun-Dried Tomato and Gran Padano Arancini (v)
Arancini are Italian rice balls that are stuffed, coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried. You can think of it sort of like paella, but in a ball of crispy coating. The golden crunch of the outside pairs well with the warm, softness of the rice inside. Of course, parmesan is often used in arancini, which isn’t vegan, but it’s also not vegetarian due to the rennet, so we Gran Padano which is veggie-friendly and similar in taste. Arancini are the perfect veggie canape!
2. Butternut Squash and Rocket Salad (vg)
There seems to be a bit of a stigma around salads, that they’re boring or bland. But that’s not true. Knowing what flavours complement each other can elevate your salads and bring them to a whole new level. Additionally, using seasonal veg can make the salad interesting, rather than just using the typical lettuce, tomatoes, etc. A great idea to up your salad game is to use pumpkin. At Green Fig, we do a cracking butternut squash and rocket salad, using the pumpkin seeds and pine nuts for a nice, subtle crunch. If you wanted to elevate this even further, you could add feta, which isn’t vegan, but it would still be vegetarian, and would taste amazing. This works as a great side on our BBQ or Summer Cold Fork Menu.
3. Biscoff Cheesecake (v/vg)
Now we’re talking! Who’d have thought that Biscoff would be vegan? Well, indeed they are and they make for a great cheesecake that is vegetarian, but can be adapted easily to be vegan.
4. Filo Basket with Wild Mushroom Ragout (v/vg)
A crispy pastry ‘boat’, with a beautiful, rich mushroom sauce. We serve this with root vegetable mash, making it the perfect veggie meal to warm you from the inside out! But it can easily be adapted to be vegan as well, which is why it’s a favourite for a v/vg wedding option. The slight crunch of the pastry, mixed with the soft mash and creamy sauce makes it texturally interesting, as well as yummy! Wild mushrooms have a lovely bite to them too, so this seasonal meal works for anyone, vegetarian or not!
5. Roasted Carrot and Cashew Pate (vg)
Served on a cracker, this is a vegan nibble for those who like the earthy notes of carrots, mixed with the subtle sweetness of cashews and a hint of star anise! This is a really great alternative to other pates, such as duck liver. This is a simple and easy vegan option which should go down well at any event. If you’re not a fan of crackers, you can dip veggies in it, like you do with hummus. It is a great snack that works all year round, depending on what it is paired with! Take it on a picnic, or serve it at a party!
Get in Touch!
With Green Fig Catering Company, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your event is in capable hands! Please get in touch if you would like to speak to us about any catering you may need. And in the meantime, please have a look through all of our menus!
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