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

Miso Glazed Salmon Burgers

Miso Glazed Salmon Burgers by Alison's AllspiceIf you love to make glazed salmon, then you will love these miso glazed salmon burgers.  The glaze could easily be used on salmon fillets, but sometimes I am just craving a burger.  These burgers are juicy and full of umami.

Topping these burgers with lettuce and tomato just would not do for me. I chose to top my burgers with cucumber slices and alfalfa sprouts. Continue reading

Slow Cooker Vegan Red Beans and Rice

Slow Cooker Vegan Red Beans and Rice by Alison's AllspiceThis slow cooker vegan red beans and rice recipe makes 4 servings in a 1.5 quart slow cooker.  I love meal prepping this dish for work day lunches!

Usually I don’t measure vegetables like pepper and onion, I dice the whole thing and consider any extra veggies in the dish a good thing!  That being said, you don’t want to end up with too much to fit in the small slow cooker. Continue reading

Clam Linguine alla Vodka

Clam Linguine alla Vodka by Alison's AllspiceFor this clam linguine alla vodka recipe, I decided to mash together two classic recipes, clam linguine and pasta alla vodka.  The results are delicious.  The sweet seafood-y clams are elevated by the rich, acidic vodka sauce.

I prefer chopped clams to whole clams for this recipe because they are packed in flavorful clam juice that you can use to thin the sauce.  I also found whole clams to be gritty in comparison, requiring a rinse that takes away some flavor.  As always, use what you like. Continue reading

Smoked Tofu and Jackfruit Jambalaya

Smoked Tofu and Jackfruit Jambalaya by Alison's AllspiceThis smoked tofu and jackfruit jambalaya is the best jambalaya I have ever made.  Back when I used to eat meat, I ate traditional jambalaya at reastaurants but never tried cooking it.  Since, I have made many versions, some veggie, some with shirmp, and this recipe stands out as the clear winner.

I think this vegan version is outstanding no matter if you are a meat eater or not. The smoked tofu adds subtle smokiness that you would get from andouille sausage. The jackfruit replaces chicken, adding a nice chewy texture that also helps the dish stay moist. Continue reading

Seared Artichoke and White Bean Pasta

Seared Artichoke and White Bean Pasta by Alison's AllspiceThis recipe is a classic example of how good canned vegetables can be.  I have tried this seared artichoke and white bean pasta recipe with frozen artichoke hearts as well and found it to be a little too dry.  The artichokes that are canned in brine are better suited for searing because they don’t dry out as much while they caramelize.

The searing process adds not only a pop of color, but also bring out the sweetness of the artichokes beautifully.  It takes a little time, so be patient.  The end result is a delicious yet simple pasta dinner. Continue reading

Smoky Trout Tacos with Lemon Garlic Aioli

Smoky Trout Tacos with Lemon Garlic Aioli by Alison's AllspiceI don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect fish taco.  It can’t be because there are just so many good ways to do it, no one recipe could ever be the best.  Nevertheless, I am always in the pursuit of perfecting recipes and fish tacos are easily a food group in my house, so here is another variation for you to try: smoky trout tacos with lemon garlic aioli.

Can we talk about aioli for a minute, please?  Does anyone actually use eggs to make their aioli?  Maybe I’m the only one that is totally hooked on the ease of using mayo, but what can I say?  It’s delicious, easy to make, and I don’t have to fuss with raw eggs.  Win-win in my book. Continue reading

Lemon and Green Olive Pasta

Lemon and Green Olive Pasta by Alison's AllspiceThis simple bright lemon and green olive pasta is for those dreary winter days when you need a fresh pick-me-up.  Think of it like a trip to the beach.  The lemon represents the bright sunshine, and the briny olives represent the scent of the ocean. Continue reading

Smoky Cabbage Soup

Smoky Cabbage Soup by Alison's AllspiceFirst of all, I love green cabbage.  It is sweet and crunchy and goes with everything.  Second, I love a warming bowl of soup during the winter.  Combined, that makes this smoky cabbage soup my new favorite comfort food!

I have read about cabbage soup and kind-of thought it would just be another vegetable soup.  Well, not in my kitchen!  I amped up the flavors in so many ways because I wanted to make this soup a little different. Continue reading