How do I Prepare a Vegetarian Buffet?

Preparing a vegetarian buffet depends largely on what kinds of vegetarians will be attending the event. Vegetarians, like anyone else, have foods they love and foods they dislike, so in order to prepare a good vegetarian buffet, one must consider the preferences of the guests. For example, some vegetarians will not eat any meat except for fish; some vegetarians do not eat any meat at all; and some vegetarians will not eat anything that comes from animals, including dairy products. Other vegetarians will eat only organic foods. When preparing a vegetarian buffet, it is important to have a variety of options that are clearly labeled to suit the tastes of the guests.

This may sound a lot more complicated than it actually is. Salads, for example, are a simple dish that can accommodate all the tastes mentioned above. Fill the salads with fresh greens, organic vegetables, and organic dressings, and the end-product is a vegetarian dish that accommodates all. Commonly provided at a vegetarian buffet are any number of tofu dishes. Tofu is a soy product that provides much-needed protein. It is a versatile ingredient that takes on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with; steam or pan-fry tofu with curry sauce, zucchini, bamboo, and other vegetables, then serve over jasmine rice for a quick, easy, and delicious dish to add to a vegetarian buffet.

Pastas and breads are also a good addition to a buffet, but be sure to use all-natural or organic ingredients if making the bread from scratch. Serve with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip — seasoned with salt, pepper, basil and garlic — for a healthy appetizer. Spinach-filled ravioli made from wheat pasta can be another quick and easy dish to add to your buffet. For a hearty soup that provides fiber and greens, consider escarole with beans, made with vegetable stock in place of the more typical chicken stock.

Like any other buffet, a vegetarian buffet should have plenty of options to cater to different tastes and dietary needs. If the people eating the buffet have a variety of dietary needs, it is a good idea to label the various dishes with the major ingredients. For example, if a dish contains nuts, label it as such so people with nut allergies can avoid that particular dish. A sign that says, simply, "Contains dairy," will be a benefit to any diners who do not eat animal products including dairy.

So many vegetarian options exist today to take the place of more common meat dishes. At a barbecue, consider a soy burger, or grill vegetables, such as squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, and asparagus. Be creative with the ingredients, but be sure to think about special dietary needs and label dishes if necessary.