If you happen to be a vegetarian and are wondering on how to plan a vegetarian holiday dinner for those guests who will be trooping into your home for the holidays, there are several options available these days. The good thing about being vegetarian is you have all those fresh fruits and vegetables as a choice to make your favorite recipes. 

In addition you have a choice of whole grains, legumes and tofu to select from the list of healthy food you can incorporate into your meals. Some suggestions for a vegetarian holiday dinner:

- Vegetarian sausage casserole, spinach salad with red peppers and goat cheese,mashed sweet potatoes with mushrooms, fruit with fresh cream. Sounds yummy already and does not take much time either.

- For a special dinner, consider pumpkin or carrot soup, moussaka or lasagna or a stew, stuffed tomatoes, spicy green salad and apple pie. If this doesn’t get the guest salivating what       else would.

-Vegetable stir fry with brown rice or wild rice, add boiled eggs and sautéed vegetables on the side.

- Quiche made with spinach or spinach lasagna with a tall glass of fruit juice on the side.

- Tacos are a favorite among kids and can be made with tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber and grated cheese on it. You could use whole grain tortillas for a healthy food too.

- There is always Pasta to fall back on for a healthy and filling dinner. Add pesto sauce or tomato sauce to it. Sautéed in garlic, with a garnishing off thyme or rosemary makes it tastier. Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Tortellini or shells would make the pasta dinner more appetizing for the youngsters.

- There is the all time favorite Pizza that can be made from scratch at home. Roll them out add roasted vegetables of your choice with fresh mozzarella and watch the dinner party come to life as the slices disappear. Adding artichoke, eggplant, jalapeno, mushrooms and tomatoes make the pizza colorful and healthy too.

-For side dishes the vegetables could be sautéed with garlic and a dash of Tandoori powder added to give it a zing. Finely chop some cilantro leaves and sprinkle them as garnishing to give a hint of an Asian salad.

- Another attractive side dish could be corn steamed and garnished with thyme after a blob of butter is added to it. Corn can also be grilled, sprinkled with salt and pepper and served with green chutney on the side, made from cilantro and green chili.

- For appetizers before dinner fresh vegetables such as colored capsicum, zucchini, mushroom could be grilled along with pineapples on a skewer to make a colorful addition to the table.

- Vegetarian egg rolls could also be served as appetizers with a spicy red chilli sauce on the side.

The options for vegetarians are numerous and being a vegetarian does not have to limit your choices this. All off those healthy, colorful vegetables and fruits can be served in interesting combinations by letting your imagination fly this holiday season. Watch those guests exclaim in delight at the spread you have on your table.

Happy Holidays!

Image Credits: Tandoori salad , wikimedia commons