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

Portabella Cheeseburger

Portabella Cheeseburger by Alison's AllspiceI have had portabella cheeseburgers at restaurants that have really lacked luster.  The mushroom is too raw, lacks seasoning, and just doesn’t taste like a burger when you put it in a bun.  This portabella cheeseburger recipe is different.  Let me explain why.

First of all, this recipe is a two-step process that should be familiar to any cook.  Marinade, then cook, preferably on a charcoal grill.  The marinade starts to break down the mushroom, pulling out its moisture, and it adds plenty of savory seasoning. Continue reading

Lemon Caper Bay Scallops with Asparagus

Lemon Caper Bay Scallops with Asparagus by Alison's AllspiceTo me, bay scallops seam to be underrated as a seafood option.  They are inexpensive but still have great seafood flavor.  If you haven’t had them in a while, give them a try again in this recipe, lemon caper bay scallops with asparagus.

My only comment about bay scallops is that they release a lot of moisture when cooked, so they are difficult to get a sear on them like you can larger scallops. Continue reading

Pan Seared Potato Gnocchi with Asparagus and Mushrooms

Pan Seared Potato Gnocchi with Asparagus and Mushrooms by Alison's AllspiceHave you ever tried pan seared potato gnocchi?  The soft, pillowy gnocchi get chewy and caramalized on the outside and stay tender on the inside.  I made mine with asparagus and mushrooms served with a miso sauce!

When I first tried this recipe, I tried making my own potato gnocchi.  The end result was delicious, but the process was a sticky gooey mess.  Needless to say, that recipe needs a touch more work before it comes to the blog. Continue reading