Category Archives: Vegetarian Main Dish

Zucchini Burgers with Quick Pickles

Zucchini Burgers with Quick Pickles 2Right now I have a large bowl of zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, and cucumber sitting in my kitchen.  It’s a true sign of summer.  Ample fresh produce requires me to be on my toes with recipe ideas, so that none of it will go to waste. The best recipe will use multiple pieces of produce, two birds one stone kind-of thing.   This Zucchini Burgers with Quick Pickles recipe was delicious, simple and the burgers freeze well so you can make extra for later! Continue reading

Carrot Top Pesto Ravioli with Grilled Carrots

Carrot Top Pesto Ravioli with grilled baby carrotsMost of us have heard the daunting numbers and statistics about food waste.  The bottom line is that there is too much food that doesn’t get utilized.  However, each of us can control the food waste that comes out of our own kitchens.  When you buy carrots from the grocery store, their green tops have already been removed, but when you find them locally at a farmers market or in a CSA, often times they come with their greens.  This carrot top pesto ravioli with grilled carrots is an awesome way to utilize the entire carrot plant! Continue reading

Chard Potato Lentil Enchiladas

Chard Potato Lentil Enchiladas with whole wheat tortillasEnchiladas is one of those dishes that you can throw just about anything into, and it still comes out awesome.  I filled these chard potato lentil enchiladas with extra produce from my CSA, and added some lentils for protein. I cover mine in my favorite salsa verde and top with cheddar cheese, so easy, and so yummy! Continue reading

Garlic Scape Sandwich Spread

Garlic Scape Sandwich SpreadAfter I signed up for my CSA, I was excited for weeks to pick up my first bag of produce.  Sometimes life can get a little crazy around here, however.  When the day came for my first pickup, I was at the mechanic and totally blew it off.  The kind folks that run the CSA called and told me I could pick it up at the farmers market that evening.  But as life goes, the market got rained out and they weren’t there when I got there.   Continue reading

Carrot Kale and White Bean Ragu

Carrot Kale and White Bean Ragu with ParmesanIt is amazing to me how simple cooking can be when you use quality ingredients.  Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to taste amazing.  This carrot kale and white bean ragu makes a delicious sauce for pasta, and many other uses.  The quality ingredients make this sauce a winner that is incredibly simple to put together.   Continue reading

Black bean tacos with garlic red cabbage slaw

Black bean tacos with garlic red cabbage slaw 2For a while, my family and I were hooked on my fish tacos recipe.  We would eat them every week.  I always had red cabbage in the fridge to top them with zesty slaw.  We are not tired of the fish tacos yet, but it is good to switch things up sometimes.  These black bean tacos with garlic red cabbage slaw are a regular in our rotation now.  They are perfect for summer because they don’t take much time to make, which leaves more time for fun! Continue reading

Enchilada Zucchini Boats

Enchilada Zucchini Boats with Black beans by Alison's AllspiceEven though it seems early in the season, the farmers market has had zucchinis for weeks now!  I finally picked up a few to whip up this delicious enchilada zucchini boats recipe.  This dish is a great way to get lots of veggies, and is still a balanced meal full of rice, beans, and flavor!   Continue reading

Balsamic Asparagus Barley Bowl

Balsamic Asparagus Barley Bowl for twoAbout a month a ago, I started my Asparagus Mini Series, where I highlighted recipes using asparagus.   Asparagus is my favorite spring-time vegetable that I only get when it is locally available.  Asparagus is sooooo much better when it is fresh!  This balsamic asparagus barley bowl recipe was developed shortly after I completed the mini series, but was still worthy of sharing before next spring! Continue reading

Mushroom Pecan Empanadas

Mushroom Pecan Empanadas 2Making food from scratch is often times more time consuming.  There are plenty of reasons to do it, however.  The first, and my personal favorite, is that making your own food allows you to control the ingredients used.  You can also make it exactly how you like it, and personalize it for others that you cook for.  This mushroom pecan empanadas recipe is time consuming, but totally worth the effort! Continue reading

Rhubarb Tagine


Rhubarb Tagine 2Rhubarb is one of my spring-time favorites.  It is most often used in desserts, but that tangy flavor goes well into so many other things!  I don’t make that many desserts either, so I have to get creative to find ways to enjoy rhubarb.  Rhubarb and dates combine to make a rhubarb tagine that is both tangy and fruity! Continue reading