Category Archives: Appetizer

Dill Cauliflower Fritters with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

Dill Cauliflower Fritters with Lemon Yogurt Sauce by Alison's AllspiceThese dill cauliflower fritters with lemon yogurt sauce are the perfect light meal for me.  Cauliflower keeps things light and a lemon-spiked Greek yogurt sauce adds a little protein boost to keep you full.

I started making these fritters because I always seemed to have a half head of cauliflower in the fridge that needed to be used. You know, the kind that is starting to get those ugly brown spots that no one wants to eat even though it doesn’t taste different. Continue reading

Caramelized Onion Tart with Goat Cheese

Caramelized Onion Tart with Goat Cheese by Alison's AllspiceThis caramelized onion tart with goat cheese is no ordinary appetizer.  It has everything going for it.  Let me explain why the strawberry vanilla rhubarb jelly is the special ingredient that takes it over the top.

Strawberry and rhubarb are a classic combination of sweet and tart that just work.  This jelly adds vanilla, which amplifies the sweetness of the strawberry and add a “strawberries and cream” kind-of vibe to the jelly. Continue reading

Creamy Black Bean and Corn Dip

Creamy Black Bean and Corn Dip by Alison's AllspiceDuring football season, we consume a lot of dips!  I made a different type every week for during the game.  Dips like this creamy black bean and corn dip are always a life-saver because they take no time at all to whip up!

Canned black beans and frozen corn make the bulk of this dip while jarred salsa and taco seasonings yield most of the flavor.  My secret ingredient to make it creamy might just surprise you! Continue reading

Grilled Shrimp with Rhubarb Sauce

Grilled Shrimp with Rhubarb Sauce by Alison's AllspiceRhubarb is more well known for its sweet applications, but I love to use it in savory ones too.  These grilled shrimp with rhubarb sauce are a great way get out the grill this season!

The rhubarb sauce is a little sweet and sour thanks to the honey and the rhubarb.  It pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of the shrimp. Continue reading

Black Bean Taco Dip

Black Bean Taco Dip by Alison's AllspiceI can’t believe that December is in full swing already. This fall has flown by so quickly and now it is practically winter. During the fall, I don’t dive into pumpkin spice season so much. I do, however, love football food season. This black bean taco dip is one that I made repeatedly this year. 

The base for this dip is black beans, seasoned with onion and taco seasoning (garlic, cumin, chili powder and paprika). Then I add salsa to give the dip some more body, and of course flavor.  Continue reading

Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad

Lemon Parmesan Kale Salad by Alison's AllspiceI have a secret to tell you.  I love making bread, and I have been making a lot of sourdough lately.  So much that I have to find inventive ways to use it to keep my supply fresh, like topping this lemon parmesan kale salad with toasted sourdough breadcrumbs.

Lemon parmesan is a classic pairing of flavors that cannot be beat.  Fresh lemon is bright and refreshing while parmesan is full of rich umami.  Adding toasted breadcrumbs takes this simple salad to the next level. Continue reading

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Creamy Peruvian Chile Sauce

Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Creamy Peruvian Chile Sauce by Alison's AllspiceHave you tried crispy smashed potatoes yet? They have been an internet “thing” for a while now, but I think serving them with creamy Peruvian chile sauce makes them even better!

So, what’s in the sauce? The secret ingredient is aji amarillo paste, a spicy Peruvian yellow chile condiment. A little goes a long way, so I mix it into creamy mayo with lime juice and garlic to make an addictive dipping sauce that you will come back to again and again. Continue reading

Lentil Kale Fritters

Lentil Kale Fritters by Alison's AllspiceI came up with the idea for these lentil kale fritters when I was trying to find a new way to use up my copious garden kale.  Two packed cups of chopped kale is a lot of kale, but it cooks down so that it folds in with the lentils in a perfect 1:1 ratio.

These fritters don’t feel like you are eating tons of greens either thanks to the texture of the lentils.  The flavor it also bright and not too earthy thanks to the tomato paste, Dijon, parmesan and basil.  Continue reading

Grilled Shrimp with Creamy Cocktail Sauce (Marie Rose)

Grilled Shrimp with Creamy Cocktail Sauce (Marie Rose Sauce) by Alison's AllspiceDinner at my house tonight is going to be grilled shrimp with creamy cocktail sauce!  The creamy cocktail sauce is a condiment from the UK also known as Marie Rose sauce.

I discovered this sauce/dip once when I was serving cold cocktail shrimp and totally overlooked the idea something to dip them in.  I went searching the internet for a simple dip that I could whip up from pantry ingredients and I have been making this sauce ever since! Continue reading

Gluten Free Zucchini Tots

Gluten Free Zucchini Tots by Alison's AllspiceHappy New Year everyone!  Today I am having a flash back to the summer months when I had so many zucchini that I didn’t know what to do with them all.  These gluten free zucchini tots were a staple during summer, and area a great way to start the new year!

I am not a new year resolutions person.  It just doesn’t suit me.  I perfer the moto “moderation in everything.”  To me means that you don’t need to feel guilty for life’s small pleasures. Continue reading