Peach Yogurt Smoothie

Peach Yogurt Smoothie by Alison's AllspiceThe other day I was looking for a fast easy lunch so I whipped up this peach yogurt smoothie. It was so easy and so filling, this one is going into my regular rotation!

Lunches for me generally include leftovers, or something simple to make.  When I don’t plan in advance, its great to have back pocket recipes like this one to save the day. Continue reading

Gooseberry Pie

Summer fruit pies are a thing to be treasured.  When I think about pie, I usually think about thanksgiving or Christmas, but to be honest, summer should get more credit because that is when lots of fruit ripens, including gooseberries, which are delicious in this gooseberry pie.

What is a gooseberry? It is a small berry that grows on bushes starting as green and becoming purple as it ripens, and closely related to the currant.  The green berries are tart and sweeten some as they ripen. Some say they taste like a grape, but I think of them more along the lines of rhubarb because of their tartness. Continue reading

All Butter Double Pie Crust

All Butter Double Pie Crust by Alison's Allspice

Friends, I hope your summer is going well.  I find myself amidst buckets of fruit this summer, which of course means pie!  I have been asked for my all butter double pie crust recipe before, so here it is!

I usually try to health-ify recipes like this one by reducing saturated fats or adding whole grains.  However, with this recipe I have not.  It is such a good recipe as it is I have decided not to mess with it.  We’ll let the fruit filling be the healthy part this time. Continue reading

Snow Pea Fried Rice

Snow Pea Fried Rice by Alison's AllspiceThis snow pea fried rice recipe is simply a classic fried rice recipe which swaps fresh snow peas for frozen green peas.  Nutritionally, they are the same, but when you have garden fresh snow peas why use frozen?

Snow peas have a tender pod and are often times used in stir fries because they cook quickly.  They fit seamlessly into a fried rice recipe as well, perfect for late spring and early summer when snow peas are ripe and bountiful. 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

Whole Grain Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars

Whole Grain Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars by Alison's AllspiceAs a kid, we had a close family friend that was an excellent baker.  All his breads and treats were amazing!  This whole grain rhubarb oatmeal bars recipe was adapted from the only recipe of his that I have.

I adapted Floyd’s recipe to make it whole grain, and to use fresh fruit, or in this case, rhubarb, which is actually a vegetable! Floyd made his recipe with jam instead. Continue reading

Blackened Fish Tacos with Pineapple Slaw

Blackened Fish Tacos with Pineapple Slaw by Alison's AllspiceMy homemade blackening seasoning is a favorite to use on fish, and its spicy nature is delicious in these blackened fish tacos with pineapple slaw.

The pineapple slaw is sweet and juicy keeping the spicy blackened fish from overwhelming your tastebuds.  The two are a perfect match. Continue reading

Red Curry Chickpea Salad

Red Curry Chickpea Salad by Alison's Allspice I have been in love with my homemade curry powder long enough that I have forgotten how flavorful curry paste really is.  All the work of building base flavor is done for you so that you can make simple yet delicious meals like this red curry chickpea salad with ease.

I have not tried it, but I’m certain you could still use curry powder to season a delicious chickpea salad.  However, I’m hooked on this version with the paste because of the depth of flavor that it brings so easily. Continue reading

Asparagus and Pesto Baked Eggs

Asparagus and Pesto Baked Eggs by Alison's AllspiceI have another asparagus recipe for you this week!  This time, I made a quick and easy lunch, asparagus and pesto baked eggs.  I used sundried tomato pesto, and it was stunning in this dish!

First, many asparagus baked eggs do not use pesto.  I used it because I wanted an extra pop of flavor.  If you don’t have any, this dish will still be tasty, just not as complex. Continue reading

Asparagus and Corn Salad

Asparagus and Corn Salad by Alison's AllspiceMy favorite spring vegetable is asparagus, hands down. For me it is partially nostalgic because I grew up eating fresh picked asparagus and now I grow it in my own garden as well. Asparagus lends itself well to many dishes.  Most often I eat it as a side dish, but it also works in pasta dishes and salads like this asparagus and corn salad.

This salad is also a side dish, but you could easily turn it into a simple meal by adding some protein, like canned chickpeas. Continue reading