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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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:

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.

Black Bean and Kale Topped Sweet Potatoes w/ Avocado Mash

Black Bean and Kale Topped Sweet Potatoes w/ Avocado Mash
Slight change of plans from the weekly menu plan!  Originally these were going to be Black Bean Tacos but I couldn't resist the big fat pre-cooked sweet potatoes sitting in my fridge!  So I took the same idea BUT swapped sweet potatoes for the taco shells and let me tell you...

How-To Make Kale Chips - Video

How-To Make Kale Chips - Video
Oh, Kale Chips... where to begin? 

Salty, crunchy, crispy AND nutritious... you are a pregnant (and non-preggo) womans dream!  Unbelievably, amazingly, delicious! 

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.
 

Simply Steamed Broccoli & Sweet Potato Bowl

Simply Steamed Broccoli & Sweet Potato Bowl

As much as I love to cook, I'd be lying if I said I that I am always in the mood to cook.  On the other hand, I could count on one hand the seldom times in my life when I have not been in the mood to eat!  So what's a girl to do when she is in the mood to eat, but necessarily in the mood to cook? 

Seriously Simple Acorn Squash

Seriously Simple Acorn Squash
You introuduce to me to someone who says they don't like veggies and I can just about guarantee you that it's because they haven't really tried the enormous variety of veggies that exisit!!  These poor souls can only remember the over cooked broccoli and boiled brussel sprouts they ate a kid and have been cheating themselves out of some absolutely d'lishes foods!!

Curried Black Bean and Sweet Potato Skillet

Curried Black Bean and Sweet Potato Skillet

Although it is still 75 degrees and sunny here in So.Cal you can still begin to sense that fall is right around the corner.  The nights are a little cooler, the days are a little shorter, and the only place I want to be is in the kitchen whipping up some of my warm and comforting fall favorites like this Curried Black Bean and Sweet Potato Skillet!

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! 

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).

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.

Kale "101" - Video

Kale

I decide that Kale would be the perfect "Food Focus" ingredient this month.  I figure why not kick off the New Year with the one ingredient that is missing in most American diets... Dark Leafy Greens!

In this video I go over some of the benefits of kale as well as how to select, store, and prep it.

Greens and Beans (Yum!)

Greens and Beans (Yum!)

Here's a little trivia for you guys...

What's the number one ingredient missing from the American diet?  Now I don't wanna give it a way or anything, but I'll give you a hint... look at the picture above. 

Yep... you guessed it, dark leafy greens or any dark greens for that matter.  Crazy, right?

 

Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

I am a huge fan of Spaghetti Squash and I'm really surprised to realize that I have never posted a recipe using Spaghetti Squash before!  Huh... go figure:).

 

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!

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.