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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Rustic Pesto Potato Salad

Rustic Pesto Potato Salad
When I was growing up both of my parents had very different takes on potato salad

My Mom, who is Irish and German, was all about a good old fashioned potato.  Big chunks of potato, tossed and bathed with lots and lots of real mayo!

My Dad on the other hand, who is 100% Italian, traveled a different road...

Chicken Tabouli Salad - Video

Chicken Tabouli Salad - Video
Tabouli is a very popular Middle Eastern Salad that is made up of fresh herbs, bulgur wheat, tomatoes and scallions.

It's usually served as a side dish, but in this video I'll show you how to bump it up to a "Clean and Delicious" main meal that you can feel good about eating!

Chunky Greek Salad Topped w/ Sardines

Chunky Greek Salad Topped w/ Sardines
Okay, I wanna know the truth...  how many of you were intrigued by this salad until you got to the "Topped w/ Sardines" part?

Better yet, how many of you think that you HATE sardines but in reality you have never even tried them so technically speaking you don't really know whether you hate them or absolutely LOVE them?

Don't worry, I've been there too, so let's chat...

Chicken Waldorf Salad with Dill

Chicken Waldorf Salad with Dill
HOLY CULINARY RUT!

Have you ever just been stuck?  Uninspired?  Or simply unexcited about what your next meal is going to be??

Sad to say, I have been in these shoes for a little over a week now - just kind of blank about what to cook up next!  (Definitely not the best place to be when you want to talk and write about food!)

So what to do??

Crunchy Asian Pear and Cabbage Salad

Crunchy Asian Pear and Cabbage Salad
Have we ever discussed my love of "Slaw" before?

I can't remember whether or not we have so I'll just keep this short and sweet:

Beet, Beet Greens, Feta, Dill, and Quinoa Salad

Beet, Beet Greens, Feta, Dill, and Quinoa Salad
Ever notice how fresh, nutritious foods not only taste great BUT also happen to be absolutely beautiful?

I mean honestly, I could walk circles around a good produce section or a local farmers market just ooohing and aaahing at all the beautiful colors and shapes that surround me.

Roasted Eggplant Couscous Salad

Roasted Eggplant Couscous Salad
I have no groceries in the house, I haven't cooked in about five days and I ate enough chocolate and drank enough "Skinny Girl Margaritas" over the weekend for each and every one of you!!

After a three day getaway to Palm Springs (first one since pre-Katie), this clean-eatin' Mama needs to get her rear in gear.

Mango and Chickpea Brown Rice Salad

Mango and Chickpea Brown Rice Salad
Gotta love a quick meal that comes together with no plan... just a few random ingredients hanging around the kitchen and BAM...

Greek Style Salad

Greek Style Salad
During the summer months, I often make salad the main course for dinner at least once, if not twice, a week.  Not only is a light and refreshing option during the hotter weather but it also doesn't require me to turn on my stove (or do any actual cooking for that matter) which is a nice option when your husband REFUSES to turn on the air conditioning unless the temperature is ABOVE a hundred degrees and there is NO breeze (which never happens here in SO.Cal - so you can understand why I like no-cook options during the summer months!)

"Rachada" Mushroom Salad

Who would ever think to use raw mushrooms as the main ingredient in a cold salad?

Not me BUT I'll tell you who...

Asian Chicken Salad

Asian Chicken Salad
This is the salad that I have been ADDICTED to the past two weeks and am considering putting on the "Weekly Menu" for the third week in a row!

It's a simple spin off of a Chinese Chicken Salad and let me tell you...

Onion and Tomato Salad w/ Blue Cheese

Onion and Tomato Salad w/ Blue Cheese
Sometimes I forget how little it takes to make a great salad.  Basically all you need is one in-season veggie along with some salt, pepper, and olive oil to make a knock-your-socks-off salad and this recipe is the perfect example.

Salmon Caesar Salad

Salmon Caesar Salad
Okay... WE DID IT! (I say we because it was 100% team work between me and my husband)!!  We pre-prepped a ton of veggies, some fruit, hard boiled eggs, sweet potatoes and steel cut oats yesterday and successfully pulled off our first pre-planned meal of the week!

Mint & Dill Romaine Salad (simplicity at its best.)

Mint & Dill Romaine Salad (simplicity at its best.)
Now that we all know how to make our fresh herbs last, I figured you would all be running out to stock the fridge with some of your favorites (just let me believe what I want people) and might be in need of a new clean, simple, and d'lishes recipe idea to put them to use.

Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad

Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad
D'lishes and beautiful, I will definitely be making this Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad again!  I just love the idea of using the flesh of the squash in a salad, it just goes to show you just how darn versatile Butternut Squash really is.

Triple Herbed Potato Salad

Triple Herbed Potato Salad
Potatoes get a bad rap.  It's the whole "high glycemic index thing" that sends people into a "potatoes-are-the-anti-christ" frenzy.  Sure potatoes have a lot of carbs and a high glycemic index but for the love of God they grow out of the ground... how bad can they be??  Let's discuss...

Broccoli "Slaw"

Broccoli

Don't ask me why, but it seems every time I went to the grocery store this week I bought broccoli. 

Broccoli, broccoli, broccoli. 

So when I peeked in the veggie drawer last night to decide what was gonna be for dinner, guess what came pouring out?  Yep.  Broccoli!  Broccoli and a head of Napa Cabbage.

Soba Noodle Salad w/ Mizuna

Soba Noodle Salad w/ Mizuna

Spring time is naturally a very cleansing time of year.  After a long, cold winter of heartier, heavier foods, Spring rolls in with its fresh, light flavors that are designed by nature to help clean us out and lighten us up a bit!

Leafy greens are the number one ingredient missing in the American diet which is why I've decided to focus on Spring Leafy Greens this month!
 

Israeli Couscous Salad w/ Asparagus and Feta

Israeli Couscous Salad w/ Asparagus and Feta

My initial plan was to make this salad using farro, but I couldn't get my hands on any so I turned to the cupboard for a convenient alternative.

I wanted to use a heartier grain or rice and thought Israeli couscous would do the job.  Couscous is really just another form of pasta (it's like really little pasta balls).  The only difference between Israeli couscous and regular couscous is the size. Israeli couscous is bigger and the size makes for a great texture (just be sure to cook your couscous like you would your pasta... al dente!).

Balsamic Asparagus with Chopped Eggs

Balsamic Asparagus with Chopped Eggs

So here we go...another asparagus recipe!  And you probably won't be suprised to hear me say that this is another super easy dish!

As far as the asparagus goes, all I did was steam it up.  Which reminds me...

Napa Cabbage and Watercress Salad

Napa Cabbage and Watercress Salad

Here's another quick recipe starring, "Cabbage"The cabbage with it's cool, crunchy self was perfecty paired with the tender, spicy watercress. I served this with some Curry Coated Tilapia (which I'll be posting soon) and I've gotta say, it was d'lishes!

Red Cabbage Salad

Red Cabbage Salad

When I was growing up we always had red cabbage in the fridge.  We didn't get too experimental with it, it was pretty much used as a staple in our "green salad".  That green salad made it to the table almost every night of the week and it was one of the only things that my sister and I were allowed to make (since there was no cooking involved).

Cilantro Slaw

Cilantro Slaw
Certainly I can't do a cabbage month and not post any slaw recipes!!

Now if you think you don't like coleslaw, stay tuned... because there are so many different ways of making it you just might bump into an idea that turns you on!

Salmon & Basil Quinoa Salad

Salmon & Basil Quinoa Salad

Can you believe February is just about over?!  Wow. Wow. Wow.  What can I say, time really does fly by when you're having fun!

So this will probably be my last Quinoa recipe of the month and I am hoping that you guys have at least given it a try by now.  I mean jeez, I've been eating this stuff all month and I haven't gotten sick of it yet... that's how good it is!  Not to mention, I haven't even made a dent in the quinoa recipes I would like to try!