Dani's Corner

Dani Spies is a Certified Health and Nutrition Counselor, Fitness Trainer and Mom who is passionate about finding simple ways to make real, whole, nutrtious foods a part of an everyday kitchen. More about Dani »

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Video: Pan Seared Chicken w/ Balsamic Strawberries and Feta Cheese

Video: Pan Seared Chicken w/ Balsamic Strawberries and Feta Cheese
*From the recipe archive, originally posted August, 2008.
I just made this recipe again and enjoyed just as much as the first time so I just had to pull it out of the archives to share with you guys again! 
 
I've learned that when it comes to cooking, it's more important to watch the technique instead of the details of the exact recipe. 

So for instance...

Video: Pan Seared Tilapia over Indian Corn w/ Tomatoes

Video: Pan Seared Tilapia over Indian Corn w/ Tomatoes
I don't know how many of you remember but about a year ago (actually probably even longer now) I lost about 40 recipe videos that had been posted on the site. 

Sad to say we were never able to recover them, but I will slowly but surely get all the recipes back up someday. 

SO for those of you who may remember, this was one of those recipes...

Roasted Apricot Crunch w/ Vanilla Yogurt Cream - Video

Roasted Apricot Crunch w/ Vanilla Yogurt Cream - Video
Now I'm not bragging... but the truth is that I don't like to watch the news and I very rarely read the newspaper.

What can I say, I'm a sensitive kind of gal and more times than not the news leaves me with thoughts and images in my mind that I find I am better off without!

Enter my husband...

Edamame, Mint & Cottage Cheese Pasta - Video

Edamame, Mint & Cottage Cheese Pasta - Video
My Dad is Italian.

My Mom is Irish and German.

But other than some pretty mean stuffed cabbage and a potato salad that is no joke, my Mom kept our kitchen 99% Italian. 

Bison Taco Bowl - Video

Bison Taco Bowl - Video
Okay, so be honest... How many of you guys have been brave enough to venture into the world of Bison yet?

Personally,  I've never had a problem tasting new foods no matter how strange they may sound or appear.   I'm a big believer in the:

Kalyn's Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Stuffed and Baked Chicken Breast - Video

Kalyn's Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Stuffed and Baked Chicken Breast - Video
Anybody in need of an amazingly easy, absolutely delicious, & visually stunning recipe to make for their Valentine on Sunday??

Well, thanks to Kalyn over at Kalyn's Kitchen, I've got you covered!

Broccoli and Chicken Quesadillas - Video

Broccoli and Chicken Quesadillas - Video
Pre-Baby = Dani makes fast, easy, nutritious meals.

Post-Baby = Dani makes faster, easier, nutritious meals.

And simply put, "Unless we're talking peanut butter and jelly...

Summer Squash Frittata - (video)

Summer Squash Frittata - (video)
As you read the title of this post you are probably thinking, "Summer Squash at the end of October?  Hmmm, a little out of season, no?"

And to this I respond....

Salmon Burgers - Video

Salmon Burgers - Video
Canned salmon is one of the most economical ways to incorporate wild salmon into your diet and these burgers are a great way to make one can of salmon go a long way!

Whole Wheat Penne w/ Salmon and Greens - Video

Whole Wheat Penne w/ Salmon and Greens - Video
Give me a plate of chicken and broccoli and very rarerly will you see me going back for seconds BUT sit me down in front of a bowl of pasta and LOOK OUT!  Somehow, I ALWAYS have room for a second round of pasta... especially white pasta!

Egg White Scramble (in the microwave!) - Video

Egg White Scramble (in the microwave!) - Video
I know from past experience that I am going to get a handful of "isn't the microwave a not so 'clean' way of making healthy food" questions/comments on this video, so I thought I would start by addressing this point... 

Liven Up Your Leftovers - Video

Liven Up Your Leftovers - Video
Who likes to eat the same old leftovers again and again?  Not me!

This video is all about ways to recreate your leftovers into a fresh new meal!  Here a few things you want to keep in mind:

Simple Sole over Dandelion Greens - Video

Simple Sole over Dandelion Greens - Video

*From the archives.

Like all QuickBites, this is a seriously simple recipe that comes together very quickly! 

I wanted to shoot a video using leafy greens in one of the simplest ways I know how (which is a quick saute).  This recipe is the perfect demonstartion of how easy it can be to get power foods on the table in about twenty minutes!

Deviled Eggs - Video

Deviled Eggs - Video
After showing you guys how to make the perfect hard boiled egg last week, I figured I better share a clean and simple way to put them to good use!

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs - Video

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs - Video
Although this video was suppose to be posted BEFORE the Super Bowl, I figured, "Hey... better late then never, right?". Besides, you don't need a football game as an excuse to make these Spicy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (I promise)!

Curried Coconut Butternut Squash Soup - Video

Curried Coconut Butternut Squash Soup - Video

I know that I am forever telling you guys how quick and easy "d'lishes, nutritious foods" can be so why should this post be any different?!  This Curried Coconut Buternut Squash Soup is about as simple as it gets and it honestly comes together in about twenty minutes.

Mashed Cauliflower - Video

Mashed Cauliflower - Video

*Updated with a video 11/09 - You guys asked for this recipe to be demonstrated in a video, so here ya go!

Let me first say, that I have nothing against potatoes. As a matter of fact, I love potatoes... especially baked potatoes.  Oooooh and french fries.  I really love french fries.  I'd be lying if I said I that a crispy, crunchy, perfectly salted, fry didn't do it for me.  I mean seriously, is it even possible to not like a French fry??

But, here's the deal...

Turkey and Zucchini Skillet - Video

Turkey and Zucchini Skillet - Video
Okay, so I've been fairly addicted to these "skillet" meals lately, but I'm telling you, once you make one you'll see why!!  It's just one of the easiest ways to get good food on the table fast and this Turkey and Zucchini Skillet video will show you just what I mean.

Strawberry-Vanilla Smoothie - Video

Strawberry-Vanilla Smoothie - Video

Here in Southern California, September is one of the hottest months we have so this Strawberry-Vanilla Smoothie is still on my menu.

Besides, I really wanted to sneak in one more summery QuickBite before we start cuddling into the warmer foods of fall.

Buffalo Chicken Butter Lettuce Cups - Video

Buffalo Chicken Butter Lettuce Cups - Video

With football season kicking off this weekend I wanted to give you guys a little game time meal that you could feel good about eating!  These Buffalo Chicken Butter Lettuce Cups are the perfect dish!

Asparagus and Herb Omelet - Video

Asparagus and Herb Omelet - Video
Food is simple AND cooking is simple.   It's that simple.

Of all of the cooking classes I have attended, all the cook books I have read, and all the cooking shows I've watched, there is one on going fact that seems to be repeated:  Keep it Simple!

Cabbage and Butter Bean Soup - Video

Cabbage and Butter Bean Soup - Video

I'm not really a winter girl. Although I love a good snow fall for the most part I'm not a huge fan of being cold... but with that being said, sometimes I like it. Which brings me to my point. If I had to choose one month that I most relate to it would have to be March.

Black Bean and Quinoa Pita Pockets - Video

Black Bean and Quinoa Pita Pockets - Video

Okay, so I got a little distracted with Valentine's Day (Chocolate Covered Strawberries can do that to me) but I haven't forgotten this months Food Focus... Quinoa!  

I've got more Quinoa recipes coming your way, starting with my Black Bean and Quinoa Pita Pockets

Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Video

Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Video

*updated from last year. 

Before you run out and spend two dollars per chocolate covered strawberry for Valentine's Day this year, watch this video to see how easy it is to make them at home for a quarter of the price! 

No joke guys, Chocolate Covered strawberries are one of the easiest (and yummiest) things you can make for Valentine's Day and I'm gonna try and persuade you to make your own with my top ten list!

Drum roll please.......................

 

Winter Kale Pasta w/ Turkey Sausage - Video

Winter Kale Pasta w/ Turkey Sausage - Video

It's cold and rainy here in So.Cal, so I was in the need of some comfort food.  I wanted to use up some Kale and so here's what I came up with...  Let me know what ya think!

Spinach Scramble - Video

Spinach Scramble - Video

*updated from the archives.

As you may know, I am a big fan of "whole foods" and I think that whole eggs are a perfectly delicious and nutritious food.  I love adding them to just about anything; breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But anytime I am trying to pull back on my calorie intake a bit without pulling back on flavor, I skip the yolks and stick to the whites

No-Bake Sweet Potato Pie - Video

No-Bake Sweet Potato Pie - Video
Last year I made a NO-Bake Apple Pie that I loved so much I really wanted to come up with some more "No-Bake" Pie ideas.  

I mean basically I just pick a pie, think of all of the flavors and ingredients that go into it and then SIMPLIFY!! 

Quinoa Stuffed Turkey Breast - Video

Quinoa Stuffed Turkey Breast - Video

Only one week til' Thanksgiving and then the Holiday Season really kicks in (I love the holidays)!

I wanted to make a video showing an alternative dish for Thanksgiving dinner, so I chose a Stuffed Turkey Breast.  (If you want to see how to make a traditional holiday turkey, you can watch me make one here).