Make a Creative Vegan Holiday Party Platter

Foods from 12 o'clock going clockwise: Savory Tofu, Carrot, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic Hummus, Carrot, Cashew and Chive Cream Cheese, Marinated Beets, Carrot, Oven Roasted Spicy Chickpeas, Center Pineapple/Cranberry Relish

 

Tis the season to entertain and here are ideas, tips, and techniques to help you create gorgeous vegan canapé/appetizer platters. 

Select a platter or platters large enough to attractively display the nibbles and munchies you've decided to serve. 

An Assortment of Platters and Serving Dishes

Learn how plant-based food prep ideas make it easy to celebrate any holiday or simple gathering of friends and family in style.

Consider assembling finger foods that are luscious and eye-appealing, yet offer guests alternatives to conventional, highly processed charcuterie board ingredients.

Presentation is important, so why not make it colorful and whimsical? Get into the flow and have fun by mixing and matching textures, aromas, colors, and flavors. 

Don't forget the wellness quotient. Learn about foods that are nutrient dense and pick out ones with health promoting benefits. Select those vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and plant-based protein you think your guests might like to try. 

Save big by making food choices from in-season or on-sale products that are easy on the pocketbook and waistline too.

Here are simple guidelines for party planning.

1. Plan ahead. A few weeks before your event, search through your pantry. Are there foodstuffs you already have on hand you might use? 

My search revealed black pitted Kalamata olives, red pepper and eggplant spread, grape leaves stuffed with rice, and whole grain crackers of various shapes and sizes.

2. Think about your favorite snack foods and feature flavorful ones with nutrient dense ingredients. When you're ready to go food shopping, shop with a list that includes store specials and seasonal items to keep costs down.

3. No ho-hum taste either. Consider foods with distinct salty, sweet, savory, and spicy elements. If the item is bland tasting, season it well.

For example I selected pineapple/ cranberry relish, savory hummus, roasted spicy chickpeas, marinated beets, cashews, almonds, and coconut dipped date rolls. 

Food Choices Might Include:

Salty -Homemade potato chips, with recipe  from Nancy Andres (yours truly). Other choices can be olives, pickles, and salty spreads.

Organic Russet Potatoes scrubbed clean and sliced thin, but not peeled. Slices are roasted on baking sheet at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approx. 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and rosemary. Serve warmed.

 

Sweet and Tart – 2 ingredient Pineapple/Cranberry Relish from Nancy Andres at Colors 4 Health.

This is Sweet and Tart Pineapple/Cranberry Relish made with one can crushed pineapple packed in its own juice, and a bag of fresh cranberries. Combine both ingredients and chop in food processor (optional 1/4 cup chopped nuts)

Eat apples, grapes, pears, or bananas for sweet fruit choices. Munch on a tangerine, grapefruit, or kiwi for tart flavor.

Dried fruit including raisins and apricots, and nuts, seeds, and coconut date rolls are fun to serve as a sweet finish to a wonderful meal.

From 12n and going clockwise: Coconut coated Date Rolls, Raisins, Date Rolls, Cashews, Date Rolls, Pumpkin Seeds, Date Rolls, Almonds, Apricots in Center

Savory – savory tofu, hummus, or roasted savory seasoned beans.

Spicy – roasted spicy chickpeas or spicy roasted nuts. 

  4. For Dipping – use crunchy crackers, pita, artisan bread, or colorful veggies for dipping devices with hummus or things including vegan cream cheese. Crackers like Wasa, and snacks like pretzels or homemade potato chips are additional choices to use with spreads.

Serve gluten free crackers or gluten free chips on another plate and mark crackers with a little gluten free sign.

5. People appreciate eating foods that are fresh, seasoned well, and attractive. Select quality over quantity.

It's fun to let your creativity shine. Make your Vegan Holiday Party Platter a colorful feast for the eyes and palate, and a display of deliciousness and joy.

Do you yearn to keep the holidays or  informal gatherings cost effective and within your budget? Please share about that in the comment section below.

Want to spend more time with your guests than in the kitchen? Do you think a make ahead party platter would work? Share your comment below. 

Please don't use links in your comment, as we can't publish it that way.

Make a Creative Vegan Holiday Party Platter hours before your next party and relax, kick-back, and celebrate. 💖👍

If you like what you see, please share on social media. Thanking you in advance for your support.

 Wishing you a Joyous Holiday Season and a very Healthy, Happy, and Satisfying December.

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VEGAN Thanksgiving Recipes for Health and Happiness

 

I'm happy to present festive vegan Thanksgiving recipes that are easy to make. Each is healthier than a conventional one. 

All recipes contain whole food plant-based (WFPB) ingredients. Then notice, as you eat the food, it is so tasty and healthful you will jump for joy. 

Post Updated 11/04/2024

Prepare a few of these celebratory dishes for regular weeknight dinners, and they're bound to delight everyone around the table!

 

Keep on reading and discover how well these recipes come together to create a delightful  Vegan Thanksgiving meal, one that's pleasing to people, turkeys, and the planet.

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes for Health and Happiness

 

First post up is  "How to Make Scrumptious Hummus," a recipe roundup post. Check-out the various recipes  to note which ones entice both holiday or weekday eaters and get any meal off to a running start. 

Photo Credit Nancy Andres at Colors 4 Health

Next up is Amy Chung, one of three talented bloggers at The Devil Wears Salad. She shares a fresh crunchy salad recipe, "Vegan Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries."  

Photo Credit Amy Chung at the Devil Wears Salad

Check out Simply Quinoa (SQ), an online destination created by Alyssa. She's a certified Holistic Nutritionist who presents "Anti-Inflammatory Ginger and Turmeric Carrot Soup" for your Thanksgiving gathering.

Photo Credit Alyssa at SQ

See how easy it is to prepare "Fresh Cranberry Pineapple Relish (With Maple Syrup)," a recipe designed by Connie Edwards McGaughy at The Carrot Underground.

 

Photo Credit, Connie at The Carrot Underground

Let's add this creamy, cozy one pot dish "Vegan Pumpkin Risotto" to our Thanksgiving menu. The recipe is created by Liz Mads, the blogger at ZardyPlants. This risotto dish can be served as an entrée, makes a fabulous side, and is quick and handy for a meatless Monday meal.

Photo Credit Paul at ZardyPlants

Next up is a hearty dish from This Noshtalgic Life. "Easy Instant Pot Mujadara (Lentils and Rice)" is an original from blogger Heather Kasvinsky. This attractive, tasty dish can be served as an entrée or a side.

Photo Credit Heather at The Noshtalgic Life

Get ready for a treat with "How to Make the Best Lentil Loaf  (Plant-based, Hearty, and Filling Vegan Meatloaf)." It features savory, "umami" flavors, and is topped off with a colorful tangy glaze. Mitch and Justine from Broke Bank Vegan are the bloggers who authored it.

Photo Credit Mitch and Justine at Broke Back Vegan

"Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries with Pecans and Balsamic Vinegar" is a colorful, flavorful side dish perfect for any holiday, special occasion, or weekday meal. Angela Campos is the fit blogger from Marathons and Motivation who shares it.

Photo Credit Angela at Marathons and Motivation

When you fancy fresh "Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Mint" assemble this side dish. It goes well with the lentil loaf, Mujadara, or risotto dish. 

It's a fuss-free, colorful dish, topped with sliced almonds and pomegranate seeds. Jillian Jankowski Wade is the blogger at Posh Plate who created it. 

Photo Credit Jillian Jankowski Wade at Posh Plate

I believe holiday meals are more festive when we serve "Vegan Garlic Mashed Cauliflower." It's an easy recipe/side dish from yours truly that's packed with flavor.

Photo Credit Nancy Andres at Colors 4 Health

 Gravy" is served up by Amy Katz, the food blogger at Veggies Save the Day. 

Ready in just 20 minutes, use this gravy to top your favorite comfort foods like the mashed cauliflower above or serve on Thanksgiving, New Years, and to make any meal more special.

Photo Credit Amy Katz at Veggies Save the Day

For those of us who have enough room for dessert, here's a recipe for "Healthy Peanut Butter Cups" from Rich Delish, the blog of Or Cohen. Much better than the commercial brand candy, this 5 ingredient offering is vegan, keto, low sugar, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Photo Credit Or Cohen at Rich Delish

Put together and serve a simple fruit bowl and savor the delicious flavors of crunchy in-season fall apples and juicy grapes.

Photo Credit Nancy Andres at Colors 4 Health

Last but not least is "3-Ingredient Vegan Pecan Pie" from Sarah McMinn, author and recipe developer at My Darling Vegan.

I love the idea of serving tartlets. These pecan wonders are so much easier to serve than slicing and dishing up cake or pie. Get in line for this sweet yet wholesome holiday dessert.

Photo Credit Sarah at My Darling Vegan

Hope "Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes for Health and Happiness" inspired you to try out at least a few of the recipes. 

Eating whole food plant-based meals (WFPB) is a tasty way to prevent disease, enhance health, and increase our sense of wellbeing. 

Which recipes piqued your interest?

Please comment below. We love to get feedback.

When you try any of the recipes, we'd appreciate it if you'd let my fellow bloggers and me know about it. 

I read and appreciate every comment, but will not publish those that contain links. 


Sending love and my best wishes for health, happiness, and harmony at Thanksgiving and throughout all your years.

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