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 »
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!).
Having been raised in an Italian kitchen, I usually don't get to fancy with my salad dressings.
A little olive oil, garlic, and vinegar or lemon juice and I'm a "happy-salad-eatin'-camper" BUT when I found a recipe in the Whole Foods Cookbook for a salad dressing that was made from RAW BEETS, I just had to give it a try.
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...
Now I'm not bragging... but the truth is that I don't like to watch the news and I very rarely read the newspaper.
What can I say, I'm a sensitive kind of gal and more times than not the news leaves me with thoughts and images in my mind that I find I am better off without!
I think there is a fine line between "healthy eating" and "depriving yourself of foods you love".
There are a lot of "not so healthy" foods that I would never give up simply because the pleasure I get from eating them nourishes me on a whole different level than the simple science of micro and macro nutrients.
I admit that I have been less than consistent when it comes to making Katie "baby / toddler" foods.
It's just that when it comes right down to it, it can be challenging enough just to get a nutritious, homemade meal on the table for Beng and I, never mind a separate meal for Katie! But that does NOT mean that I have not been making great food for Katie because I have, but here's the deal...
Have you ever just been stuck? Uninspired? Or simply unexcited about what your next meal is going to be??
Sad to say, I have been in these shoes for a little over a week now - just kind of blank about what to cook up next! (Definitely not the best place to be when you want to talk and write about food!)
UUUUUGGGHHH!! I was all set to post this video on Thursday so we could kick off the Holiday weekend with a Clean and Delicious Burger recipe but due to technical difficulties (something behind the scenes was corrupted) and a serious lack of computer tech knowledge I needed to get in touch with a computer technical genius to help me solve the problem (over a holiday weekend none-the-less).
Anyhow, long story short - everything is fixed and we're ready to go SO read this post as if it's Friday BUT remember - you don't need a holiday weekend to make these simple and tasty burgers.(Truth be told, I usually have them as a quick go-to during a busy week!!)
As I've mentioned in the past, breakfast is not my strong suite.
Actually, breakfast is a bit of an exaggeration. Really it's just pancakes that I need to practice but every time pancakes are on the breakfast agenda...
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.
I used to have a video post showing how I liked to make my Guacamole but it was one of the videos I lost in my big video crash! So in the words of Snookie(from the Jersey Shore)...
When it comes to weeknight meals, I often have to remind myself to KEEP IT SIMPLE!! It seems that sometimes the most basic meals and techniques can also be the most satisfying...
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).
Skillet meals have definitely become a post-Katie staple around here! You just can't beat them when it comes to making a clean, simple, and d'lishes meal. And the best part is...
During the summer months, I often make salad the main course for dinner at least once, if not twice, a week. Not only is a light and refreshing option during the hotter weather but it also doesn't require me to turn on my stove (or do any actual cooking for that matter) which is a nice option when your husband REFUSES to turn on the air conditioning unless the temperature is ABOVE a hundred degrees and there is NO breeze (which never happens here in SO.Cal - so you can understand why I like no-cook options during the summer months!)
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.
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...
Now don't let me fool you... I haven't cooked a thing since Katie has joined the clan (it's been lots of peanut butter, bananas, and granola for me) BUT I have a ton of recipes that haven't made it to the blog yet, so I figured I would dip into my "recipes not posted" file until I get back into the kitchen!
Don't ask me why, but the idea of starting the day with a handful of greens mixed into my breakfast makes me really excited. Not to mention looking down into this colorful bowl seems to be another "feel good" way to start the day... it just looks happy. It's like my breakfast bowl is smiling at me...
Now that we all know how to make our fresh herbs last, I figured you would all be running out to stock the fridge with some of your favorites (just let me believe what I want people) and might be in need of a new clean, simple, and d'lishes recipe idea to put them to use.
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...
I know from past experience that I am going to get a handful of "isn't the microwave a not so 'clean' way of making healthy food" questions/comments on this video, so I thought I would start by addressing this point...
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 ;).
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!
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks to make (especially after dinner), BUT I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of microwave popcorn! I'm also not a big fan of lots of kitchen gadgets (ie. a popcorn maker), which makes this the perfect popcorn recipe for a girl like me...
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.
Although this video was suppose to be posted BEFORE the Super Bowl, I figured, "Hey... better late then never, right?". Besides, you don't need a football game as an excuse to make these Spicy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (I promise)!
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!
Hot, fluffy oats... warm bananas and maple syrup... sliced strawberries... creamy yogurt and cottage cheese... crunchy walnuts... I mean, c'mon, do I really need to explain why I have been so obsessed with my morning Oatmeal Parfait?
Why not start your Valentine's Day with a beautiful and healthy meal that will be sure to leave you with plenty of extra room for some Chocolate Covered Strawberries later in the day?!
If you're gonna go there, why not go there with ingredients that add value to your body rather than ingredients that take value away? It's not like your taste buds are going to be missing out on anything!! It's a win-win.
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?
I know that I am forever telling you guys how quick and easy "d'lishes, nutritious foods" can be so why should this post be any different?! This Curried Coconut Buternut Squash Soup is about as simple as it gets and it honestly comes together in about twenty minutes.
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 Squashreally is.
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!!
*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...
As you know by now, I am a huge fan of Mexican food so starting the day off with Breakfast Tacos is a sure way to put a smile on my face (and that's with out the margarita;).
Okay, so I've been fairly addicted to these "skillet" meals lately, but I'm telling you, once you make one you'll see why!! It's just one of the easiest ways to get good food on the table fast and this Turkey and Zucchini Skillet video will show you just what I mean.
So here's the Lemon Herbed Chicken that I served along side my Trible Herbed Potato Salad. This is yet another one of those SO GOOD, SO EASY meals. i know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but what can I say... it's the truth!!
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...
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!
With football season kicking off this weekend I wanted to give you guys a little game time meal that you could feel good about eating! These Buffalo Chicken Butter Lettuce Cups are the perfect dish!
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!
Hey guys... I'M BACK! Lot's of fun, long trip, happy to be home BUT most importantly... happy to be back in my kitchen with my knife and my cutting board! Man oh man, did I miss cooking!
As a Health Counselor and Food Coach I find that many of my clients are more interested in clean, simple, and d'lishes ideas than they are actual recipes. It's not they don't enjoy the recipes, it's just that for most, a normal, busy work week just doesn't allow the time for them.
For those of you that receive my newsletter, this Fruit and Flax Smoothie is old news. This is the smoothie that was the featured this June as the recipe of the month. (what can I say, I've been a busy girl... notice there were no new videos this month?? Let's just say I've fallen a little behind schedule, but I promise... they will be back;)).
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.
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!
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!
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.
Ever since the beginning of "Asparagus" month, I have had a stir-fry on the brain. I just wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do. So I began searching around on some other food blogsfor ideas (which by the way is about the only place I search for recipes online these days).
I found a recipe that caught my eye over at The Perfect Pantry and decided to give it a try. (if you have never visited The Perfect Pantrybefore you really must, you'll learn everything you'll ever need to know about items you can keep in your pantry)!
I pretty much stuck to the recipe except I bulked up the veggie department a bit and added some tofu in order to get a little protein into the meal. Speaking of tofu, let me give you a little tofu tip...
Food is simple AND cooking is simple. It's that simple.
Of all of the cooking classes I have attended, all the cook books I have read, and all the cooking shows I've watched, there is one on going fact that seems to be repeated: Keep it Simple!
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!
Here's another quick recipe starring, "Cabbage". The cabbage with it's cool, crunchy self was perfecty paired with the tender, spicy watercress. I served this with some Curry Coated Tilapia (which I'll be posting soon) and I've gotta say, it was d'lishes!
I'm not really a winter girl. Although I love a good snow fall for the most part I'm not a huge fan of being cold... but with that being said, sometimes I like it. Which brings me to my point. If I had to choose one month that I most relate to it would have to be March.
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).
Okay, so soup was not on my cabbage agenda this week.
I was planning braised red cabbage with apples and goat cheese served with some type of protein; possibly experimenting with chicken or pork moo shu, and/or whipping up an asian style 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).
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!
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!
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.
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!
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 asparagus. So simple, so yummy and so nutritious!
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.
Okay, so I got a little distracted with Valentine's Day (Chocolate Covered Strawberries can do that to me) but I haven't forgotten this months Food Focus... Quinoa!
I've made this recipe a few times in the past but was recently reminded of it when I saw this post over at Closet Cooking (I love that site, Kevin is always trying something new).
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".
When opting to use all white meatin this recipe, my fear was that the extra lean turkey meat could have the tendency of drying out. So the challenge was to find a way to keep these babies moist and tender.
And guys, I am proud to say, "Mission Accomplished"!
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!
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?).
I know that technically last week kicked off the New Year but for me this week is really the official kickoff. This Butternut Squash Chili w/ Kale is the perfect meal to start off the New Year on the right foot!
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?
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:).
As you may know, I am a big fan of "whole foods" and I think that whole eggs are a perfectly delicious and nutritious food. I love adding them to just about anything; breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But anytime I am trying to pull back on my calorie intake a bit without pulling back on flavor, I skip the yolks and stick to the whites.
Here's another simple and d'lishes way to whip up some oatmeal for breakfast. Remember, I almost always make my oatmeal ahead of time, so all I have to do is reheat it with some yummy "add-in's" come breakfast.
What's a Jersey girl to do on Christmas Eve Day when the temperature is about to reach 75 degrees here in Southern California?
Why,make a breakfast that would hit the spot in the middle of a snowstorm, of course! I mean, c'mon... how else am I gonna make it feel like Christmas??
Tis' the season to jump into the kitchen and whip up some of your favorite goodies... right??
These little goodies are SO GOOD. It's funny because they taste exactly like rice crispy treats BUT there is no marshmallow involved... huh?! Go figure!
I'm telling you guys, ya throw an egg on top of just about anything and you've got yourself a meal. I usually have this for breakfast but it would definetely work for lunch or even a light dinner.
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!:).
Only one week til' Thanksgiving and then the Holiday Season really kicks in (I love the holidays)!
I wanted to make a video showing an alternative dish for Thanksgiving dinner, so I chose a Stuffed Turkey Breast.(If you want to see how to make a traditional holiday turkey, you can watch me make one here).
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?"
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!
If you haven't tried Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) I'd say, "now's the time". It's clean, simple, and d'lishes (I know I'm a dork, but I couldn't resist).
Technically, Quinoa is a seed, but for all intents and purposes we'll keep things simple and group it with the grains. And in the world of grains, it just doesn't get any easier than Quinoa.
I grew up eating lots of ground beef. My Mom's infamous meat sauce over a plate of spaghetti was a twice a week staple in our house. Stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage, and yes... even a good old Manwich were some other ground beef staple meals I grew up eating. I loved them all.
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.
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.
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!
One thing that I find to be a HUGE HELP when it comes to sticking to a healthy game plan during a busy week, is a little pre-preppin'. Although I sometimes opt to spend the extra hours at the beach or lounging with some friends, I'm usually pretty good about "setting up my week".
Although I don't havea garden of my own bursting with veggies that are begging to be eatin' up, what I dohaveare glorious Southern California Farmer's Markets that are bursting with veggies (and fruits, nuts, breads, etc.) that are begging to be eaten up!!
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