Barbecue Tofu Sandwiches

Barbecue Tofu Sandwiches by Alison's AllspiceThe first time I tried these barbecue tofu sandwiches, I was surprised at how good they were!  I mean, this recipe is so simple, I didn’t expect it to wow me.  I knew it had to become a blog recipe right away.

My first tip for success with this recipe is to use a quality barbecue sauce.  Tofu is a blank slate, and the barbecue sauce is the major player adding flavor, so it has to be good.  I recommend making homemade, such as my Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce or my Homemade Rhubarb BBQ Sauce.  I used the later in the photos here. Continue reading

Watermelon Lime Refresher

Watermelon Lime Refresher by Alison's AllspiceIt has been a hot summer, and I have been enjoying a variety of different cool and refreshing drinks like this watermelon lime refresher!

This drink recipe is so simple, it has only three ingredients.  I find this refresher perfectly balanced between the tart lime juice and the sweet watermelon. My watermelon was a very sweet one, so I felt no need to add any sugar at all. Continue reading

Pesto Shrimp and Snap Pea Couscous Bowls

Pesto Shrimp and Snap Pea Couscous Bowls by Alison's AllspiceMy snap pea plants stopped producing about two weeks ago, which means I have been experimenting with snap pea recipes to use up my harvest.  These pesto shrimp and snap pea couscous bowls are a favorite because they are quick and easy.

Couscous is an ingredient I don’t cook with a lot, but it deserves more attention because it is so easy and fast to make.  All you have to do is bring water to a boil, then wait 5 minutes for the couscous to absorb. Continue reading

Chocolate Peanut Butter Date Caramel Bars

Chocolate Peanut Butter Date Caramel Bars by Alison's AllspiceThese chocolate peanut butter date caramel bars are a healty no-bake snack or dessert recipe.  Date caramel is made by blending dates and nut butter (peanut butter in my recipe!) until smooth, and it makes the center layer of these bars!

I was recently asked by a reader to post more dessert recipes.  If you read here, then you know that I don’t post many.  It’s not that I don’t post them, I don’t make sweets often.

One main reason is that I’m the only one in the house with a sweet tooth, so all desserts end up being consumed by me.  Giant layer cakes and whole pans of brownies just make way too much for one person. Continue reading

Tomato and Fire Roasted Corn Salad

Tomato and Fire Roasted Corn Salad by Alison's AllspiceThis tomato and fire roasted corn salad is bursting with the fresh flavors of summer.  It is a very simple salad of fresh ingredients tossed in a light homemade sauce that brightens its flavors.

The recipe calls for heirloom tomatoes.  I keep this category broad because any fresh and super-flavorful tomato will do. Continue reading

Easy Southwest Chopped Salad

Easy Southwest Chopped Salad by Alison's AllspiceI started making this easy southwest chopped salad for lunches last summer and it is still a favorite.  Although this salad requires a little chopping, I still consider it easy because I almost always have all the ingredients on hand.

Having a well stocked pantry makes it easy to whip up a good lunch without much pre-thought.  I use canned black beans, frozen corn, jarred jalapenos, bagged tortilla chips, hot sauce and bottled ranch.  I always have cabbage and onions in the fridge.  Therefore the greens are ususally the only thing I need to put on the grocery list! Continue reading

Asian Noodle Stir Fry Salad

Asian Noodle Stir Fry Salad by Alison's AllspiceDuring summer, I don’t like to use the oven or do too much serious cooking that will heat up the house.  I eat a ton of salads during summer, but sometimes you just want something a little more substantial, but still light and refreshing.  This Asian noodle stir fry salad hits all those points. Continue reading

Baked Arugula Falafel

Baked Arugula Falafel by Alison's AllspiceI love falafel, and homemade falafel is easier to make than you might think.  This baked arugula falafel recipe is a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet, and it still tastes like falafel that you crave.

When I first tried this recipe, I really thought the arugula would make the falafel taste different from my favorite all-cilantro version of falafel.  The difference, however, was very subtle. Continue reading

Apple Cheddar Kale Salad

Apple Cheddar Kale Salad by Alison's AllspiceIt is finally here.  It’s salad season!  I love this time of year because my garden is bursting with fresh lettuce, kale, and arugula. I will eat salad after salad until I grow tired, but that is far from the goal. The goal is finding ways to keep salad interesting, so I share with you this apple cheddar kale salad.

Apple and cheddar are a classic combination of sweet and salty.   Pair that with an apple cider vinaigrette to keep things savory and some sunflower seeds for crunch, and you have a winner salad. 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