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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Pantry Puttanesca Sauce

Pantry Puttanesca Sauce
This recipe was 100% inspired by the one and only, Miss Katie O'Cuddles (that's her nickname around here).

Katie eats some form of pasta and tomato sauce nearly everyday and she just so happens to ADORE salty flavors (especially Kalamata olives) so I got to thinking...

Video: 20 Minute Tomato Sauce

Video: 20 Minute Tomato Sauce
When my Mom made sauce, she made sauce.

It was always a huge pot and an all day affair.

It was always on Sunday and it will always be a memory that reminds me of my childhood.

How-To Make Tzaziki - Video

How-To Make Tzaziki - Video
I love looking to other cuisines to find "Clean and Delicious" recipe inspiration!

Tzaziki is a Greek inspired sauce (some say dip) that is made from Greek yogurt and cucumbers and it is very simple to make.


Cumin Catfish W/ Orange Avocado Salsa

Cumin Catfish W/ Orange Avocado Salsa
Definitely not the best photo I've ever taken BUT I promise, this meal is REALLY GOOD and REALLY EASY! (not to mention fast and cheap).

Basil Oil

Basil Oil
Barely a recipe but certainly a super simple way to add a ton of flavor to a dish with very little effort.  And c'mon, let's be honest... who does like to get a lot of bang for a little buck ;).

Rich & Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (without the fat!)

Rich & Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (without the fat!)
Blue Cheese dressing is definitely at the top on my list when it comes to salad dressings. Actually, my favorite way to eat a salad is doused with vinegar and dipped into a side of blue cheese dressing... yum!

Whole Wheat Penne w/ No-Cook Tomato Sauce & White Beans

Whole Wheat Penne w/ No-Cook Tomato Sauce & White Beans
I know I left you guys high and dry this Labor Day weekend but the truth is I didn't do much cooking.  I'm headed to Jersey later this week to spend a week down the shore with my family so I was laying pretty low this weekend.  But I did get to make this Whole Wheat Penne w/ No-Cook Tomato Sauce and White Beans!

How-To Make Balsamic Glaze - Video

How-To Make Balsamic Glaze - Video
Balsamic Glaze is just a fancy way of saying reduced down Balsamic vinegar.  It's a super simple way to add lots of flavor to a dish with out adding lots of extra calories or fat.

Mango Cucumber Salsa w/ a Kiss of Rosemary

Mango Cucumber Salsa w/ a Kiss of Rosemary

Gotta love the mango... sweet, hearty, creamy, cooling and overall d'lishes!  I mean really, what's not to like?! 

And it just so happens that I've got mangoes coming out of the wazoo...

Simple Green Chili Salsa

Simple Green Chili Salsa

Have you ever had a week when things just didn't go as planned??  Yeah, well welcome to my last week!

My family was in town... the whole gang; my Mom, Dad, Sis, and bro-in-law.  It was great to have them all here together and we had lots of fun, but I guess you could say I sorta got "distracted". 

Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

Just made this for dinner along with a very simple Teriyaki Tuna that I threw on the Foreman Grill (actually my husband did the "grilling... what is it with guys and the grill?).

This is definitely one of my go-to side dishes. 

Pesto (just a little lighter!)

Pesto (just a little lighter!)

It's about that time of the year when basil starts handing itself over in abundance, which means it's time to make pesto... lots and lots of pesto!!