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 »

Sign up to get recipes via email:

Or enter your email to receive my newsletter, which features lots of bonus information:

Sites To See

More Sites to See »

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...

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...

Rutabaga Mash (and Some Turkey Day Ideas)

Rutabaga Mash (and Some Turkey Day Ideas)
As much as I love veggies (and I really do LOVE em') there are a handful of them that I just don't eat enough of!

The Rutabaga would definitely fall into the category of "Under Appreciated Vegetables" in my life (and my guess is that this may be the same for many of you as well).

"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...

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.

Sweet and Savory Couscous

Sweet and Savory Couscous
Technically speaking couscous is not a grain.  Essentially, it's a really quick cooking pasta.  It's made from whole wheat durum flour (the same ingredient your whole wheat pastas are made from).

Brussel Sprouts w/ Apples and Bacon

Brussel Sprouts w/ Apples and Bacon
Brussel Sprouts.  People seem to either love em' or hate em'.  I'm definitely from the "love em' camp", myself.

If you haven't had a chance to find out how you feel about brussel sprouts yet, this recipe might just be the perfect place to start.
 

Quick and Simple Lentils with Dandelion Greens

Quick and Simple Lentils with Dandelion Greens
Have you guys tried the pre-cooked, vacuum packed, lentils from Trader Joe's?

They are super simple, really convenient and quite tasty!

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.

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...

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.

Sesame Kale w/ Mushrooms

Sesame Kale w/ Mushrooms

Although there really are tons of Leafy Greens to choose from, Kale tends to be one of my favorites.  It's just SO HEARTY and SO RICH and SO SATISFYING that it seems to be my green of choice. 

Kale has so much to offer and if you still haven't tried it then we seriously need to talk! 

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...

Simply Grilled Asparagus

Simply Grilled Asparagus

Grilling is one of my favorite ways to enjoy asparagus As a matter of fact as the weather gets warmer I like grilled just about anything!

This is a very simple way to cook asparagus and it's quick too.  Try serving it with a squish of fresh lemon or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar when it's done cooking.  Enjoy!

Braised Red Cabbage and Apples

Braised Red Cabbage and Apples

Back to cabbage!  Braised red cabbage is a pretty classic side dish, but it is not a dish that I ever ate growing up.  As a matter of fact the first time I ever had this dish was at Houston's, they often serve it as a side dish topped with goat cheese (that's what gave me the idea).

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!

Cabbage with Dill and Peas

Cabbage with Dill and Peas

So, here we go... cabbage recipe numero uno!  This side dish is a very quick and simple one to make. 

Cabbage loves dill so I decided to pick up some dill when I was at the grocery store this week and let me tell ya, I'm happy I did because it really brought this dish to life.

Minty-Pea Quinoa

Minty-Pea Quinoa

When it comes to finding a quick way to spruce up a side dish the key is ingredient is FRESH HERBS.

Fresh herbs are a small way to pack BIG FLAVOR,
without needing a lot of time or additional ingredients.  Just chop up a few tablespoons of whatever herb you choose and you can completely transform your dish. 

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I think I've mentioned it before but that won't stop me from saying it again, "I love fries".  Love em'!

What's not to love? Seriously, you tell me because I can't think of one thing.  

I also love sweet potatoes (what can I say, I just love food)... so needless to say, these fries really do it for me; they're the best of both worlds.

Quick-Veggie Brown Rice

Quick-Veggie Brown Rice

This dish is a perfect example of how a little "pre-preppin'" can save you A LOT of time.

I always have a container of some type of rice or grain ready to go for the week so when I'm pressed for time I can still eat something that is clean, simple, and d'lishes!:). 

Roasted Root Veggies

Roasted Root Veggies

Talk about a feel good food.  Roasted roots satisfy on so many different levels.  They are warm, sweet, salty, savory, hearty and so, so satisfying.  This is one dish where you think to your self, "Could something so simple and d'lishess really be SO good for me?"

And the answer is Yes!  Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes!

Quinoa, Leek & Cherry Stuffing

Quinoa, Leek & Cherry Stuffing

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just two weeks away?? Just two weeks!

I don't know that I'll be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year.  In all honesty, I have been experimenting with different Turkey Day dishes since September, so I kind have that, "been there, done that, and don't really need to do it again" feeling.  But then again who knows.  I've been known to change my mind.

Anyway, let's talk turkey, or in this case, stuffing!

Swiss Chard w/ Peppers and Garbanzos

Swiss Chard w/ Peppers and Garbanzos
I usually pick up a couple bunches of leafy greens when I'm doing my grocery shopping... whatever looks good, I'm not too picky. This week it just so happened to be Swiss Chard.

Cumin Scented White Beans

Cumin Scented White Beans

Yikes, I almost forgot... this is the Cumin Scented White Bean recipe that I promised!  I served them with my Simply Seared Tuna w/ Triple Herb Sauce. They literally take all of ten minutes to throw together!