Gourmet Vegetarian Menu

Traditionally, appetizers and hors d' oeuvres are to cleanse the palette, but in gourmet vegetarian cooking, they are a preview of the wonderful tastes, textures and experiences to come. Here are some of the best vegetarian appetizers and hors d' oeuvres to include with a fine meal:

Roasted Artichoke with Chipotle Aioli

Fresh Rosemary and Mushroom Pate

Insalata Caprese with Avocado

New Potatoes with Crisped Dulse

Kalamata and Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade (pictured)

Blue Cheese and Citrus Bruschetta

Apricot Pistachio Halves

More gourmet vegetarian appetizers and hors d' oeuvres

If you're new to gourmet vegetarian cooking, a soup is a sage place to start. The ingredients are usually simple, the preparation easy, yet the end result is satisfying and sublime. Scroll through these gourmet vegetarian soups to find a palette-teasing starter for your gourmet meal:

• Chilled Mango Ginger Soup (pictued)
• Tuscan Sun-dried Tomato and Garbanzo Soup
• Vegan Artichoke and Tomato Bisque
• Citrus Tomatillo Gazpacho
• Watermelon Cilantro Gazpacho
• Wild Mushroom and Mascarpone Soup

Perfect for a weekday morning or a thgouthful breakfast in bed. these leisurely breakfasts will set the tone for the rest of the day. For a gourmet vegetarian breakfast, try:

Streuseled Apricot Scones (pictured)

Goat Cheese and Apple Tarts

French Cognac Vanilla Crepes

Peach and Muenster Cheese Frittata

When it comes to fine dining and vegetarian cuisine, salads can serve as a starter or even a main dish, depending on the type of salad, whether it's a green salad, a fruit salad or a grain dish. Here's a few gourmet vegetarian salad recipes to get your creative culinary juices flowing:

Blueberry and Pine Nut Quinoa Salad

Grapefruit and Fennel Salad

Edamame and Feta Tabbouleh

Watercress, frisee and avocado salad

Gourmet portobella and arugula salad

Fresh fennel and mint salad

Round out a gourmet meal with a few fancy vegetable side dishes. Be sure to use the best quality organic and fresh ingredients.

Spinach, basil and cashew puree

Braised escarole with shallots

Oven-roasted Sunchokes (pictured)

Cranberry and blueberry sauce

Kick up a regular sandwich by using artisan bread, fine imported cheese and fresh ingredients. Here's a few sandwiches and wraps to impress your gourmet vegetarian friends:

Five-star Mozzarella Basil Panini (pictured)

Tempeh and Tapenade Wrap

Greek Marinated Squash and Feta Wrap

Pesto and Two Cheese Panini

Grilled Pears and Blue Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cranberry Brie Sandwich

As the centerpiece of your plate and meal, no part of a gourmet meal is more important than the entree. Use fresh ingredients as much as possible. Presentation always counts, so take the time to use fresh herbs to garnish, and drizzle a little extra sauce on the plate for a splash of color. Try one of these elegant meatless gourmet mains:

Hot Italian peppers stuffed with herbed risotto and basil-lime sauce (pictured)

Parmesan Pumpkin Dumplings

Fresh Herbed Risotto with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Almond and Feta Stuffed Artichokes

Sun-dried Tomato Encrusted Gardein "Chicken"

Butternut Squash and Pear Ravioli with Rosemary Sauce

Poblano and Potato Stacked Tacos

Chile and Anise Vegetarian Macaroni and Cheese

No gourmet meal is complete without a final act; an encore to the evening's celebration. Choose one of these gourmet vegetarian desserts and savor every bite; savor every moment:

Chocolate mocha dessert risotto (pictured)

Grapefruit Mint Granita

Fruit Wraps with Lemon Mint Sauce

Vegan Tofu Tiramisu

Pomegranate Sorbet

Vegan Non-dairy Tiramisu

Minted Chocolate Mousse

Scroll through this collectiony vegetarian recipe imaginable. From exotic Asian curries, to all-American favorites and everything in between. If you're looking for a vegetarian (or vegan!) meal idea, check out these hundreds of vegetarian recipes.

Pictured: Baked stuffed acorn squash