A Collection of Easy Gourmet Vegetarian Recipes

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 
• Gourmet truffle oil risotto recipe
• Kale italia and sun-dried tomato risotto (pictured)
• Parme...MOREsan 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

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...MORE 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 (pictured)
• 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 thoughtful 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 are a few gourmet vegetarian salad recipes to get your creative culinary juices flowing:

• Blueberry and Pine Nut Quinoa Salad
• Chickpea and Black Lentil Salad Over Kale Italia (pictured)
• Spicy pumpkin seed cole slaw with Thai peanut dressing
• Grapefruit and Fennel Salad
• Edamame and Feta Tabbouleh
• Watercr...MOREess, 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

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
• 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