Category Archives: Quick and Easy

Smoked Tofu Burgers

Smoked Tofu Burgers by Alison's AllspiceThe first time I made this smoked tofu burger, I was surprised at how well the patty held its form.  There are many veggie burgers that crumble and fall apart, even with the egg.  This burger however, does not.

The texture of this burger was much different than a traditional veggie burger, too.  Most burgers made with beans and/or grains have a mushy texture, and we die-hard vegetarians choose to love them for what they are anyway.  This burger, however, has a spongy texture that is broken up by the little pieces of nuts and seeds. Continue reading

Smoky Swiss Chard Polenta Bowls with Toasted Chickpeas

Smoky Swiss Chard Polenta Bowls with Toasted Chickpeas by Alison's AllspiceI love to use polenta to make bowls because it is so creamy and dreamy!  I topped these polenta bowls with smoky swiss chard and toasted chickpeas.  Lets discuss the toppings!

I have a love hate relationship with swiss chard.  It comes in so many beautiful colors which attract me to it as a vegetable.  It is also very nutritious.  So what’s to hate?  Swiss chard can be bitter.  Cooking helps, but it lacks texture when cooked.  Continue reading

Radish Carrot and Arugula Chickpea Salad

Radish Carrot and Arugula Chickpea Salad by Alison's AllspiceI whipped up this radish carrot and arugula chickpea salad on a whim one day, just using up what was in the fridge.  It was so good that I had to make it again to and share it with you all!

Chickpea salads are so simple and easy to make, they are a favorite go-to for me. I often make salads in advance for workday lunches.  If you want to prep this salad in advance, don’t mix in the arugula until you are ready to serve.  Continue reading

Teriyaki Tempeh Tacos with Radish Carrot Slaw

Teriyaki Tempeh Tacos with Radish Carrot Slaw by Alison's AllspiceRadish season has come and gone in my spring garden.  While I had fresh radishes, I made these teriyaki tempeh tacos with radish carrot slaw so many times.  Find some radishes to try them out for yourself!

Radish is one of those ingredients that I never quite know what to do with.  Sure you can slice them and add them to salads, but there are only so many of those salads I can eat before they get boring. Continue reading

Creamy Pesto Arugula and Tomato Wraps

Creamy Pesto Arugula and Tomato Wraps by Alison's AllspiceI grow arugula in my garden every year.  It is such an easy plant to grow, it sprouts early, loves the colder months, and grows faster than any lettuce I have grown.  This also produces my favorite problem, I end up with lots of arugula to find interesting new ways to use. Therefore, today I am sharing my creamy pesto arugula and tomato wraps.

The creamy pesto sauce idea was developed by one of those lightbulb-moments.  I wanted to add protein to the wrap, but didn’t want roll-y chickpeas all over the place making the wrap difficult to eat. I opted for white beans instead of chickpeas, and decided to puree them into a flavorful spread, like hummus, but different. Continue reading

Savory Fajita Steel Cut Oats

Savory Fajita Steel Cut Oats by Alison's AllspiceI have long read about savory oats, but it took me a long time to try them.  I was going through all the grains stashed in the back of the pantry, deciding what needed to be used first.  The steel cut oats were on the top of the list, and thus I made savory fajita steel cut oats!

The steel cut oats have a creamy texture in comparison to making a grain bowl with rice or quinoa.  Think of it like a polenta bowl instead, but made with wholesome oats. Continue reading

Broken Lasagna Noodle and Mushroom Skillet

Broken Lasagna Noodle and Mushroom Skillet by Alison's AllspiceHave you dreamed about a lasagna that took only one dish to make, and could be finished in 30 minutes or less?  What if it also used up those leftover noodles, especially the broken ones?  I think you have been dreaming about this broken lasagna noodle and mushroom skillet recipe.

When I was developing this recipe, I was using up a box of lasagna noodles with only three left.  Not enough for lasagna, or lasagna roll-ups honestly. Continue reading

Fried Chickpea Gyro Salad

Fried Chickpea Gyro Salad by Alison's AllspiceWhen I first stared to eat more plant-based meals, I can across a recipe (now long lost) that marindaded and fried chickpeas.  It is such a simple process that completely transforms the humble chickpea.  Here I use a gyro inspired marinade to make fried chickpea gyro salad.

I have posted a very similar recipe before, my fried chickpea gyro bowls, made with a base of rice, chopped vegetables, and tzatziki sauce.  While I love grain bowls, I was craving a salad this time, so I adapted the recipe. Continue reading

Smoked Trout Melts

Smoked Trout Melts by Alison's AllspiceCalling all trout fishermen and fisherwomen!  I have taken the classic tuna melt, and transformed it into a trout fishermans dreams, smoked trout melts.  It is ultra creamy, while still slightly smokey and sweet, and it’s ready for dinner in only 15 minutes!

I love to spend a whole day pulling out the smoker and loading it with trout and my homemade smoked tofu recipe, along with whatever else suits my fancy.  Smoked trout is a true delicacy, and I always make enough for plenty of leftovers! Continue reading

Homemade Curry Powder

Homemade Curry Powder by Alison's AllspiceI have a few curry recipes here on the blog, and in none of them do I use curry powder.  I always use my own blend of spices and seasonings. One day I had an aha moment, I should mix up a batch of homemade curry powder for meal prep to simplify the process.

Curry is a term used to describe the gravy or sauce found in traditional Indian cuisine.  There are so many variations on flavors found in curry, and therefore curry powders can vary quite a lot, so I like to make my own. Continue reading