Dani Spies

Okay, so soup was not on my cabbage agenda this week. 

I was planning braised red cabbage with apples and goat cheese served with some type of protein; possibly experimenting with chicken or pork moo shu, and/or whipping up an asian style cabbage salad. 

What changed things you ask?

*Updated 

This is not a new recipe but it is my favorite when it comes to Irish Soda Bread! 

But let me pre-warn you, I like my Irish Soda Bread on the "drier" side... kinda like a big fat scone.  So if you like a more cake like, moist soda bread, this is not the recipe for you.  On the flip side, if you like a more scone like soda bread, get out your bowl and get to work because this IS the recipe for you!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Batters up!  Here is my first new recipe using Quinoa this month.  I must say, quinoa is one of those ingredients that just has my wheels spinning... there are so many things you can do with it.

For some reason my mind keeps going toward sweets like muffins, cookies, and puddings but don't worry, I'm determined to get some savory dishes in there as well.  As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about making a Butternut Squash and Quinoa Frittata for dinner tonight... I'll keep you guys posted.

Are you looking for a warm, nutritious, comforting meal that will knock your socks off??  Well, my friends... look no further because this is the one!

I saw this recipe over at Karina's Kitchen (a gluten-free blog), and loved it so much I made it twice in one week. Yep.  Twice.

This is an updated version of my Spinach and Turkey Meatballs (which by the way is demonstarted in a video so if you're interseted, click the link).

In my original recipe I use half light and half dark meat turkey but this time I wanted to make the meatballs using 99% lean turkey meat.  My fear was that the extra lean turkey meat can often have the tendency of drying out, so the challenge was to find a way to keep these babies moist and tender.

And guys, I am proud to say, "Mission Accomplished"!

I am a huge fan of Spaghetti Squash and I'm really surprised to realize that I have never posted a recipe using Spaghetti Squash before!  Huh... go figure:).

 

I think I've mentioned it before but that won't stop me from saying it again, "I love fries".  Love em'!

What's not to love? Seriously, you tell me because I can't think of one thing.  

I also love sweet potatoes (what can I say, I just love food)... so needless to say, these fries really do it for me; they're the best of both worlds.

Talk about a feel good food.  Roasted roots satisfy on so many different levels.  They are warm, sweet, salty, savory, hearty and so, so satisfying.  This is one dish where you think to your self, "Could something so simple and d'lishess really be SO good for me?"

And the answer is Yes!  Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes!

I grew up eating lots of ground beef. My Mom's infamous meat sauce over a plate of spaghetti was a twice a week staple in our house.  Stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage, and yes... even a good old Manwich were some other ground beef staple meals I grew up eating.  I loved them all.

If you read my site often, then you know that I am certainly no master-mind chef; I pretty much just stick to the basics of cooking.  I like to find very simple, tasty ways to incorporate nutritious ingredients into an everyday kitchen. In my opinion there is room for everything in a healthy kitchen... even apple pie!

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of good old fashion Spaghetti and Meatballs! For this QuickBite I take an old time favorite and add a twist.

In my mind, I always think of March as the beginning of spring, but in reality it's more like the end of winter. After all, you know what they say, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb."

So with that being said, I decided to make some cold weather comfort food... good old American meatloaf. The only difference is, I make them into mini's so you can get them on the table in half the time!