Great Ideas for a Vegetarian Wedding Reception

Vegetarian wedding receptions can be daunting for your more omnivorous friends and family. The key to keeping everyone happy is to have familiar entrees and appetizers. You and your vegetarian friends may have acquired a taste for mung beans and tofu, but chances are the rest of your guests have not. Keep everything tasty, filling, and recognizable at your wedding reception with these menu suggestions.

Anything is tasty if its fried
For cocktail hour, I recommend an assortment of fried finger foods to go along with drinks. While American fare offers limited vegetarian options, try exploring the food of other cultures for some yummy fried options. Here are five popular choices for vegetarian appetizers that have hit it big at many vegetarian wedding receptions.

Mini Vegetarian Egg Rolls
Everyone (or nearly everyone) likes egg rolls. I recommend the variety with egg as a filling ingredient to make them a little heartier.

Imitation Crab Cakes
Not all imitation meats are created equal, but imitation crab is relatively hard to distinguish from the real thing, especially if it's fried.

Fried Mozzarella
I know that these are more commonly seen at your favorite bar than your wedding reception, but the key to making fried mozzarella an upscale treat is shape. Avoid the finger shaped variety, and go for small squares. It makes a world of difference. And, instead of marinara, opt for an arrabiata sauce.

Fried Green Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese
If you are going to include this appetizer, make sure you stock up because these suckers go fast. These crusted, fried and cheese stuffed olives just might be the tastiest thing I've ever eaten.

Spanokopita
OK, so this appetizer isn't fried, but it is very tasty. Spanikopita is a great Greek treat that consists of a philo dough crust and a spinach, cheese and onion filling. Not all of your guests will be familiar with this treat, but it is hard to go wrong with pastry and cheese.

Entrees
Stuffed Roasted Peppers with Polenta
Carnivores and Vegetarians alike love this dish. Red, Green and Yellow peppers are stuffed with a mixture of mozzarella, ricotta and charred tomato sauce. A mushroom polenta goes really well with this dish.

Ravioli
Pasta is always a popular dish. Try a shiitake, Portobello mixture with a nice parmesan cream sauce. Imitation lobster and asparagus ravioli with a saffron white wine cream sauce is another popular option. My sister had these at her wedding, and they were a big hit.

Eggplant Parmesan
Again, eggplant is a really popular dish. This is a great alternative to chicken parmesan. Try getting creative with the cheese to add a little zip to this dish.

Dessert
I don't really know of many dessert items with meat in them, so its really hard to go wrong here. But, I've been to more than a few weddings, and here are some of my favorite deserts.

Pear, Raspberry and Chocolate Crumble
I love this dessert in season when the fruit is fresh. Chocolate, pear and raspberry blend impressively and make a perfect dessert.

Maple-Star Anise Mousse
When maple syrup is infused with star anise, something magical happens. The light and creamy mousse takes on a flavor akin to licorice. It is traditionally served in glasses with crushed pecans or walnuts, or as a filling for a torte.

Pumpkin Crème Brulee
Crème Brulee is a French dessert that has been gaining in popularity in the United States. It is creamy custard with a caramelized sugar crust. There are many different varieties, but pumpkin works nicely for a fall wedding. For other seasons, a plain crème brulee works really well.
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