Vegetarian Afternoon Tea: Great Tips for a Simple but Delightful Menu
The afternoon tea does not necessarily need to be meat and fish based. A vegetarian afternoon tea is equally satisfying, consisting of finger sandwiches, pastries, fruits, and beverages.
For whatever reason you decide to serve an afternoon tea - whether for your family or for friends, you must provide your guests with various savory and sweet dishes.
What Is a Vegetarian Afternoon Tea?
Vegetarian afternoon tea consists of various foods and beverages which are eaten together, and do not contain meat or fish.
A simple spread can include:
Sandwiches
Scones
Fresh fruit
Cakes
Biscuits
Pastries
Tea
Coffee
Fresh juice
You don't need dozens of dishes. A few well-chosen items can create a satisfying afternoon meal.
Easy Vegetarian Sandwich Ideas
Small sandwiches are usually one of the easiest places to start.
Cucumber and Cream Cheese
Cream cheese should be spread over the bread and sliced cucumber should be added.
Black pepper or herbs or lemon could enhance the taste of the dish.
Egg and Mayonnaise
Mix the chopped eggs that have been boiled with mayonnaise and seasonings.
To make it healthier, mix in some chopped herbs or vegetables.
Cheese and Tomato
Cheese and tomato slices should be added to the bread along with the lettuce or herbs.
In case the tomatoes are too juicy, the seeds have to be removed beforehand.
Avocado Sandwich
Mashed avocado works well with:
Tomato
Cucumber
Lettuce
Black pepper
Lemon juice
This is a good option if you want something fresh and filling.
Hummus and Vegetable
Use hummus on your bread along with vegetables including cucumber, carrots, and roasted peppers.
It's an easy method of adding variety to your sandwich plate.
Add Some Vegetarian Scones
Scones are a classic afternoon-tea option.
You can serve traditional plain scones with:
Jam
Cream
Butter
For a savoury alternative, try cheese and herb scones.
You can also experiment with ingredients such as:
Chives
Rosemary
Cheddar
Sun-dried tomatoes
Serve savoury scones separately from the sweeter options so guests can easily choose what they prefer.
Sweet Vegetarian Treats
The sweet part of afternoon tea is where you can have some fun.
Consider adding:
Mini Cupcakes
Small cupcakes are easy to serve and don't require cutting.
Shortbread
Simple shortbread biscuits pair particularly well with tea.
Fruit Tartlets
Mini fruit tartlets can add colour to the table.
Brownie Bites
Cut brownies into small squares rather than serving large portions.
Fresh Fruit
Fruit provides a lighter option among the sweeter foods.
Try:
Strawberries
Grapes
Blueberries
Orange slices
Pineapple
Melon
Vegetarian Afternoon Tea Menu Example
If you're not sure where to start, try this simple menu:
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Sandwich | Cucumber & cream cheese |
| Sandwich | Egg & mayonnaise |
| Sandwich | Hummus & vegetables |
| Savoury | Cheese & herb scones |
| Sweet | Plain scones with jam |
| Sweet | Mini cupcakes |
| Sweet | Fresh fruit |
| Drink | Black tea |
| Drink | Herbal tea |
| Drink | Fresh juice |
You don't need to prepare everything on the list. Choose a few items from each category according to your guests and budget.
What Drinks Go Well With Vegetarian Afternoon Tea?
Tea is the obvious choice, but you can offer several options.
Black Tea
Classic choices such as English Breakfast or Earl Grey work well with both savoury and sweet foods.
Green Tea
A lighter option that works particularly well with fresh fruit and vegetable-based foods.
Herbal Tea
Peppermint, chamomile and ginger tea can give guests a caffeine-free option.
Coffee
Some guests may prefer coffee instead of tea.
Fresh Juice
Orange, pineapple or mixed fruit juice can be served chilled.
How to Make Your Afternoon Tea Look Better
Presentation is what makes an ordinary meal an extraordinary one.
In case you have a tiered server, use it.
For example, your arrangement can look like this:
Top tier: small cakes and sweets
Middle tier: scones
Bottom tier: sandwiches and other savoury foods
You can place some small plates with fruits or nuts around your server.
Sandwiches can also be cut into triangles or small rectangles for easy eating.
It is not necessary to complicate everything, sometimes simplicity can be beautiful.
Tips for Hosting Vegetarian Guests
It should be noted that being a vegetarian does not imply being a vegan.
Vegetarians can eat products of dairy origin and eggs, while vegans do not use anything from animals.
When cooking for a company of different people, inquire about the specific needs of your guests beforehand.
Make sure to check the list of ingredients in:
Cakes
Biscuits
Bread
Cream
Chocolate
Sauces
Pastries
Some products may contain ingredients you weren't expecting.
Final Thoughts
Vegetarian afternoon tea can be very easy, inexpensive, yet fun without using any meat or fish products.
First, make a few sandwiches, include some scones and little dessert, and end with tea or other beverages.
There is no need to make complicated dishes.
Just variety, good quality of ingredients, and nice presentation will make your everyday afternoon special.