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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Aarti's Turmeric-Rubbed "Friday Shrimp" (Stuffed w/ Garlic and Cilantro!)

Aarti's Turmeric-Rubbed
Have you guys been watching "The Next Food Network Star" this season??

If you have, then you may remember watching Aarti Seqeria knock the socks off of the judges when she served them her "Friday Shrimp" as a part of the Iron Chef competition!

I wanted to make this recipe since last week (when I originally saw the show) but moved it straight up to the top of my "Recipes To Try" list in celebration of Aarti's victory last night (she is officially the NFNS!).

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...

Crispy Crunchy Baked Fish Sticks w/ Herbed Yogurt Sauce

Crispy Crunchy Baked Fish Sticks w/ Herbed Yogurt Sauce
I wanted to make something new and fun for Katie (that B and I could eat for dinner too!) and just couldn't get fish sticks off the brain!

Now, traditionally speaking Fish Sticks and Tartar Sauce do not exactly fall into the "nutritious meals" category BUT by making a few simple changes to this dish we can easily change that!

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...

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 (I suppose that is why they are a classic flavor combination!).