Category Archives: Vegetarian Main Dish

Fried Portabella PoBoy Sandwiches

Fried Portabella PoBoy Sandwiches by Alison's Allspice I have a secret to share.  I was obsessed with these fried portabella poboy sandwiches so much that I got sick of eating them.  They were so good that I just made them over and over and over again.

That was in spring, and now that all the summer produce is starting to wane, some fried comfort food sounds pretty good again. Continue reading

Healthy-ish Stove Top Mac and Cheese

Healthy-ish Stove Top Mac and Cheese by Alison's AllspiceFall is finally in full swing, and that always puts me in the mood for comfort food like mac and cheese.  I didn’t want to compromise when I made my version, so you won’t find extra things like squash in this healthy-ish stove top mac and cheese.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love a good butternut squash cheese sauce, but when you want the real deal, nothing else will do. Continue reading

Sweet Potato Kale Quinoa Bowl

Sweet Potato Kale Quinoa Bowl by Alison's Allspice Bowl meals come by many names,  Buddah bowls, power bowls, nourish bowls, grain bowls, etc., and are just about the easiest thing to make.  You just toss everything into a bowl!  The ratio of ingredients is what  I like best about bowl meals, including this sweet potato kale quinoa bowl.

This bowl is not a kale salad, and it is not a quinoa salad either. It is truely a bowl meal that is balanced with grains and proteins, fresh vegetables and cooked vegetables, as well as crunchy and soft textures. Continue reading

Creamy Smoked Tofu and Olive Pasta Salad

Creamy Smoked Tofu and Olive Pasta Salad by Alison's AllspiceI am not the only one in my family that likes to cook.  Many, many moons ago, I shared a lemon caper dressing recipe with my family that was a hit.  Not long after, this creamy smoked tofu and olive pasta salad recipe, using my dressing, was shared with me.

I don’t believe I would have ever google searched for a pasta salad like this one; the mix of ingredients seams random, but I promise you it is not.  The combination of flavors is specific and on point. Continue reading

Cranberry Date Protein Bars

Cranberry Date Protein Bars by Alison's AllspiceThis cranberry date protein bars recipe was developed from a sugar-free, fat-free version that was made with a lot of processed ingredients.  I cleaned up the recipe and made it mostly plant-based, while keeping the protein just above 10 grams per bar and it is still a low-fat and low-sugar recipe.

These protein bars are dairy free and nut free, but not vegan or soy free.  I use eggs and soy milk because they really increase the protein content of these bars and are not ingredients that need avoided by people without dietary restrictions. Continue reading

Smoked Tofu Summer Rolls

Smoked Tofu Summer Rolls by Alison's AllspiceI can’t believe how fast the summer has gone, school starts in only a few weeks! I had to share these smoked tofu summer rolls before summer is over.  They are a fresh, light meal that can be easily made without heating up your kitchen!

I like to use the smoked tofu in my summer rolls because it is already cooked.  You could probably use “raw” tofu straight out of the package, but the smoked tofu has better texture and it adds more flavor. Continue reading

Simply Marinated Tempeh for Salads Sandwiches and Wraps

Simply Marinated Tempeh for Salads Sandwiches and Wraps by Alison's AllspiceThis simply marinated tempeh can be used in all sorts of ways.  I like to use it for salads, sandwiches and wraps.  The marinade is made from fridge and pantry staples so it is easy to whip up when you are planning on the fly.

Cubes are best for salads, but slices are best for sandwiches.  For wraps, you could go either way, but I prefer the slices. Continue reading

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

Garlicky Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Garlicky Kale Caesar Pasta Salad by Alison's AllspiceThe first time I came across this idea to turn Caesar salad into a pasta salad, it was in a cooking magazine.  After a quick google search, it appears that I am behind in the game because kale caesar pasta salad is definitely a thing already.

I tried to make mine a little bit different by adding more garlic, and skipping the croutons, using only pasta in my pasta salad.  Also, I added red cabbage for a splash of color. Continue reading