Dani's Corner

Dani Spies is a Health & Food Coach and Fitness Trainer who enjoys finding simple, d'lishes ways to incorporate nutritious ingredients into an everyday kitchen. More about Dani »

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Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia w/ Avocado Cream

Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia w/ Avocado Cream
While I may not be the world's greatest writer I think that I can clearly communicate a point when I need to. So allow to sum this meal up in the most elementary of manners with these three simple yet powerful words...

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Manhattan Clam Chowder
While you'll no longer catch me complaining about the near perfect weather we have practically everyday here in SoCal - I must admit... it comes with a downside.

The two things I realized while spending some time back home (in Jersey) over the holidays are this:

5-Ingredient Snapper and Zucchini Dinner

5-Ingredient Snapper and Zucchini Dinner
Ever notice how sometimes the simplest and tastiest meals can be forgotten?? 

It never fails to amaze me how far a little...

Wild Salmon and Roasted Veggie Penne

Wild Salmon and Roasted Veggie Penne
Salmon is one of my favorite types of fish AND it's a power food SO I try to get it into my diet at least once a week.  Since I always try to buy wild salmon and it can be very expensive, I often turn to canned salmon for a more economical way to work some salmon into my diet. 

If your not sure what to look for when it comes to buying salmon...

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!

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!

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).

Salmon "101" - Video

Salmon
Ever notice how confusing nutritional science can get?!  I'm forever reading and studying what's going on in the world of nutrition and often times all of the contradictory information out there leaves me wanting to pull my hair out!!  It can get pretty bothersome...

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!

Red Snapper Veracruz

Red Snapper Veracruz
So simple.  So fresh.  So fast. 

Not to mention that this is a great example of how you really don't need a lot of ingredients to make a healthy and d'lishes dinner!

I'd say this description pretty much sums up this recipe for Red Snapper Veracruz!

Tuna and Onion Egg "Pizza"

Tuna and Onion Egg

What can I say, I've been making so many different types of Egg "Pizza's" lately, I just couldn't help but share another Egg "Pizza" flavor combination! 

Soy and Rosemary Marinated Tuna

Soy and Rosemary Marinated Tuna
I'm happy to say that frozen fish, like tuna and salmon have become a new staple in my kitchen!  Let me explain...

Salmon and Dill Frittata

Salmon and Dill Frittata

Never underestimate an egg.  Really.  They are so darn versatile!  I've become a big fan of eggs for dinner so when I was at my Yoga class last week and my favorite yoga teacher (Amy) in the whole world told me that she made my leek and potato tortilla (which is not posted) with the addition of smoked salmon I was not only flattered but I couldn't wait to get into the kitchen and give it a try!

Grilled Opah w/ Mint and Basil Chutney

Grilled Opah w/ Mint and Basil Chutney

Whew.  Other than packing my cooler, I haven't had a chance to do much cooking this week. I seriously need to get on top of those leafy greens Any chance you guys have come up with some good leafy green recipes;)?

Anyhow, this is a recipe that I made a few weeks ago but never had the chance to post.  It it was the first time I ever tried Opah and truth be told I didn't even do the cooking.

Curry Coated Tilapia

Curry Coated Tilapia

Here is the fish that I served with my Napa Cabbage and Watercress Salad last week. 

I really liked the combination because while the fish was warm and spicy the salad was cool and crunchy!

Baked Salmon with Dill

Baked Salmon with Dill

Four words:  SO GOOD, SO EASY!

I'm telling you guys, if you are looking for quick, healthy, weeknight food you HAVE TO add some fish to the menu.  I topped some wild salmon with a teaspoon of olive oil, dill, and salt and pepper and twelve minutes later, it was done!  DONE!

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!

Broiled Sole w/ Sumac

Broiled Sole w/ Sumac

White fish (like Sole and Flounder) is one of the quickest dinners you can make.  You just sprinkle on a little seasoning, throw it under the broiler, and voila'... three minutes later dinner is served. 

I made this in a pinch the other night and served it with some Minty Pea Quinoa and steamed asparagusSo simple, so yummy and so nutritious!

South Beach "Teriyaki" Tuna

South Beach

A friend of mine gave me the "South Beach Diet" Cookbook a few years back.  She wasn't that into it and thought I might get some use out of it... she was right!

Breaded Tilapia (with Flax!)

Breaded Tilapia (with Flax!)

Okay guys, here's the deal; I love you... I really do.  And I love eating.  I also love healthy food, cooking, and talking.  And although, I don't love, love, love writing I can deal with it in order to share with you all of the things I really do love.

So, So Simple Shrimp Tacos

So, So Simple Shrimp Tacos

As much as I would love to post a recipe that would hit the spot on a crisp Autumn day, it just ain't happenin'.  "Why?", you ask.  Simply because I've yet to have a crisp Autumn day.  Here in SoCal. we're still warm... not hot... but definitely warm.  We're talking mid-seventies. 

Simply Seared Tuna w/ Triple Herb Sauce

Simply Seared Tuna w/ Triple Herb Sauce
Yum to the yum to the yum, yum, yum!!! All I have to say is this Simply Seared Tuna w/ Triple Herb Sauce is SO GOOD AND SO EASY!!

Salmon & Veggie Pockets

Salmon & Veggie Pockets

Oh, how I LOVE the combination of salmon and dill!!  They are a match made in heaven, which is why I suppose it's a classic flavor combination!

Food For Thought »

Busted! Frustrated... so I ate.
Feb 24, 10 - 3 Comments
So annoying but what can I do? Observe, learn and move forward, right?
What Kind of Eater Are You??
Feb 1, 10 - 4 Comments
I have to be honest, I've always been a bit of a fast eater BUT
Ask Dani - How Do You Come Up With Ideas?
Jan 13, 10 - 1 Comments
Hi Dani, I've been reading your blog for about a year now and I've never