Squid and Mussels with Pasta and Garlic Tomato Curry Sauce Recipe

Spices and Sauce Ingredients
¼ tsp garlic salt
½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tbsp stone ground mustard
1 tbsp yellow mustard
5 cloves garlic
½ cup coconut milk (make sure to stir it) – this can be found in the ethnic aisle at Jewel or shopping market in a can
¼ cup red onion
½ cup yellow grape tomatoes
2 whole red roma tomatoes
1 green serrano pepper

Additional Ingredients
½ lb squid (calamari)
½ lb mussels
1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds (hold until the end)
2 cups fresh spinach (hold until the end)
½ box whole wheat pasta
2 tbsp olive oil (1 tbsp for cooking the fish and 1 tbsp for cooking everything together at the end)

Directions
Place the spices and sauce ingredients into a blender and blend for about 10 seconds or until sauce is not lumpy. Hold onto the sauce.

Cook the pasta separately on another burner for about 10-15 min until it’s al dente and strain. Hold onto the pasta.

Place the squid in a pan at medium/high heat with 1 tbsp olive oil. Do not add the mussels yet. When the squid starts turning golden brown, add the mussels with the squid and cook them for about 5 minutes or until ready. If you’re using frozen fish, make sure to strain after it’s cooked (or strain if necessary).

After straining the fish (if necessary), add another tbsp of olive oil to the pan you used for the fish re-add the strained fish to the pan. Next, add the cooked pasta, spinach, mustard seeds, and sauce on medium heat for about 5 minutes for the sauce to soak in with the rest of the ingredients.

Keep stirring and enjoy! This course serves about 6. Total time to cook and prepare is about 30 minutes!

Do You Like To Cook?

"Do you like to cook? No? Have a nice day!"

"Hello m'am. Quick question. Do you like to cook? No? Have a nice day!"

"Hello sir. Quick question. Do you like to cook? No? Have a nice day!"

How would you feel if you were randomly out on the street in the city and asked if you liked to cook by some stranger in an apron... when it was snowing? Imagine being the stranger in the apron standing outside in the cold trying to play the hustle game? That's what I did for just under 3 weeks.

Welcome to my commission-only job, where the name of the game was, "have fun and make money".

I had been looking for a job and had finally landed a second round interview again, which I decided to go to. I get to the second interview and find myself talking to a young man named Nate and answering questions about marketing and sales all while standing outside. Thankfully, this was all before it became super freezing outside. After a strenuous six hours of doing that, Nate walked me inside. I ended up having to answer a questionnaire and talk to a man named Ryan to convince him I have drive and am a motivated person. I was offered the job on the spot and told to come in tomorrow.

Tomorrow happened and I was just snake-in-the-grassed into this role of a lifetime... or so I thought. Part of me was skeptical the entire time. My friends were also throwing me red flags right away due to the nature of the interview and telling me not to go into work. Something was up, and I needed to figure out why red flags were being thrown so early on. I went into work anyways.

After arriving at 17 N. State Street in the morning, I walked into this standing-only room into a meeting called "atmosphere", where we would go over the pitch and do some training in the morning before going out into the field. Nate ended up becoming my mentor and would work in atmosphere meetings with me to teach me the pitch. It took me awhile to learn the pitch, but after several days, I eventually got it down. Everyone was super helpful and kind to me the entire time, which was nice. After atmosphere meetings, someone would come to the front of the room for an "impact" meeting, which was a lesson on how to sell shit. Sometimes, there would also be conference calls with the top representatives in the US, which also explained to us how to sell shit.

We sold "Blue Apron"-like products, which were meal kits with pre packaged and pre measured ingredients so all you had to do was chop veggies and cook everything. It would take 20-30 minutes to cook the food.  The field was where we would be standing outside soliciting strangers trying to sell shit. I knew I had a hustler mentality and something inside of me was convincing me not to bail right away.

The workday was normally supposed to be from 9:45am until 6pm and if you didn’t make 3 sales you were to stay until 7, but no later. The training was from 9:45am until 11am, which you wouldn’t get paid for. The rest of the day, it was floating in the field trying to move it or lose it. 

The field was a very rough and cutthroat place. It looked all smiley and dancey and like you have pep in your step, but it was getting cold since it was around November and the field was outside on the street you and your group were assigned to. There were even points where I had to stand outside by myself and start pitching to strangers. Yes, you had to pitch to strangers! You would continuously ask every last person if they liked to cook and they would mostly give you some form of “no” while you would tell them to have a nice day and move on. Some days it was nice and warm and I didn’t need to look like an eskimo. Other days I wasn’t so lucky. Some days I would be pain free. Others I would be reaching into my bag for Advil praying the day would end. Some days I would be nice and awake. The rest of the time I would be having brain farts, mind blanks, and my mentor would see how dead I am and make a secret stop to the nearest Dunkin Donuts in order for me to be able to function during the day. Thanks Nate!

Each day in the field on average I managed to make 1 sale a day. Some days I made 0 and one day I made 3, which is called “ringing the bell”; the next day at work, you’d get announced before going out to the field in “noise”, which is honoring the people who made 3 or more sales in a day. 

After the field, you would go inside and break down your day to see if you hit your “goals” and go over what you did well and what can be improved upon. After a crazy long day plus a 45 minute commute each way, I was dead tired once I got home.

My dear roommate friends also noticed how unhappy I was when I would walk in the door and would often pass out on the couch; I had also been eating out a lot and unable to work out as much as necessary. When it was time for my appointment with my therapist, he told me to get the hell out of there; that was a sign.

After spending two and a half weeks at this place, I told the commission-only job I was done. I needed to make more than $150 dollars in a week period. No, this "experience" is not going on my resume. While I am now looking for a new full-time job that won't mysteriously end 2 weeks after my start date and driving for Uber/Lyft in the meantime, this gig of mine has told me I am a lot more worthy than asking random strangers on the street if they like to cook!

Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

1 package Pitted Dates
2 chopped Jalapeños
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 package Chive and Onion Cream Cheese
1 package Smoked Uncured Bacon
1 tsp Parsley
1 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tbsp Chopped Almonds
toothpicks to hold the bacon

Open the dates and put them off to the side

Cook the bacon on a skillet pan until desired consistency is achieved. Put them off to the side as well. Combine the rest of the ingredients and roll it into a ball. Portion the cheese ball into each date. Wrap with bacon. Place a toothpick through the middle of each date. Enjoy!

Mom's Easy Recipes

I found these old things on one of my flash drives. My mom made these dishes all the time. They're not the most healthy, but they're super tasty. Here are the recipes:




Toffee Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
2 c(ups) sifted flour
1 tsp vanilla
4 hershey bars (king sized)
1 bag chopped nuts

Cream butter and add sugar. Add beaten egg yolks and mix thoroughly. Add flour, beating well. Add the vanilla and then spread the batter onto a greased cookie sheet. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and once heated, put the cookie sheet in the oven for 25 minutes. Once ready, put the chocolate on top of the hot cookie and spread it around the cookie to melt it. Then sprinkle the nuts on top and cut cookies into whatever size you want



Green Bean Casserole
2 9oz packages of frozen cut green beans, thawed and drained (OR 2cans (16oz each) cut green beans, drained
3/4 cup milk
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (Campbell’s brand)
1/8 teaspoon (Durkee brand) Ground Black Pepper
1 can (2.8 oz) (Durkee brand) French Fried Onions

In a medium bowl, combine beans, milk, soup, pepper, and 1/2 can french fried onions, pour into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30min or until heated through. Then top with remaining onions, bake uncovered for 5 minutes (or until onions are golden brown). Makes 6 servings



Rice Pilaf 
1 stick butter
2 bag extra fine egg noodles (Manishevitz brand)
1 cup minute rice (Uncle Ben’s brand -- maybe -- a red box)  optional
2 cans of 98% fat free chicken broth (cottage inn or Jewel/generic brand)
1-2 chicken flavored bullions (bullion cubes)
1/4 cup water

On the side, boil the water and the bullion cubes. In a large pan, put the butter in it to melt it. Cook the egg noodles until browned in the pan. Add the cup of (dry) minute rice over the noodles. Carefully dump in the chicken broth. Simmer everything (on 10watts or low setting) in the covered pan for 20-25min. Then, dump the bullion water on top and recover and continue to cook (the same way) for 20-25 more minutes

Rebecca Duxler's Healthful Recipes

All of my recipes...errrrr... creative inventive concoctions... now organized in 1 central place. Enjoy the healthy cooking and the tastiness! Much more coming soon!

Last Updated: 2-5-2021

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Dips

El Famous Burrito Dip Recipe

El Famous Layered Taco Dip Recipe

Peppery Onion Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Hummus Recipe

Game Day Greek Yogurt Taco Flavored Dip Recipe

Guacamole Recipe

Greek Yogurt French Onion Dip Recipe

Garlicky Greek Yogurt French Onion Dip Recipe



Salsas

Black Bean and Pepper Salsa Recipe

Black Bean Salsa Recipe

Corn and Black Bean Salsa Recipe

Fresca Fuego Salsa Recipe



Soups

Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

Kale and Northern Bean Soup Recipe

Homemade Black Bean Soup Recipe

Clam Chowder Recipe

Miso Soup Recipe

French Onion Noodle Soup Recipe

Enhanced Progresso Italian Wedding Soup Recipe




Appetizers and Sides

Kicked Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe

Dressings and Sauces

Maple Mustard Sauce Recipe

Lemon Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette Recipe

Tuna Tomato Garlic Spinach Artichoke Sauce Recipe

Parmesan Garlic Tomato Sauce Recipe

Chili Garlic Salad Dressing Recipe




Quick, Easy, Healthy, and Salads

Pea and Mushroom Pasta a la Linguine Recipe

Protein-Filled Greek Yogurt Caesar Salad Recipe

Enhanced Knorr Rice Sides: White Cheddar Queso Recipe

Healthy Tuna Salad on Garlic Bread Recipe

Kale Caesar Salad with Bacon Recipe

Quick and Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Grilled Pepper and Onion Tuna Salad Recipe

Egg Salad Recipe

Deviled Egg Salad Recipe

Cucumber Veggie Bean Salad Recipe

Salmon Salad Seaweed Wraps Recipe

Enhanced Ramen Recipe 1: Roast Chicken Asian Peanut Noodles Recipe

Enhanced Ramen Recipe 2: Asian Cole Slaw Recipe

Enhanced Ramen Recipe 3: Kicked Soy Fishy Noodles Recipe

Enhanced Rice Pilaf Recipe

Tuna Salad on Crackers Recipe



Entrees

Spicy Vodka Sauce Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce with Spiralized Veggie Pasta Recipe

Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry With Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe

Light Shrimp Dejohnge Recipe

Skaley Bacony Sausage Recipe

Healthy and Hearty Chili Recipe

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

Bacon Lasagna Recipe

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Squid and Mussels with Pasta and Garlic Tomato Curry Sauce Recipe

Clams with Black Bean Sauce Recipe

Parmesan Dijon Crusted Chicken Recipe

Veggie Lasagna Recipe

Hamburger Cous Cous Salad Recipe

Gluten Free Pasta with Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce




(Alcoholic) Beverages

Pickle Mason Jar Epic Bloody Mary Recipe

Bacon Bloody Mary Recipe

Light Mudslide Recipe

Rebs a Rita (Frozen Margarita) Recipe

Fall Special Cider Drink Recipe

Healthy Game Day Taco Dip

Getting a jump start on my Super Bowl cooking with my el famous taco dip... made with greek yogurt instead of sour cream... here's what I've done to create this (without using a recipe):

1 32 oz container of plain greek yogurt
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
3 tbsp minced onions
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
3 tbsp spicy salsa
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp better than bullion chicken stock
Salt/pepper to taste

Stir everything into the greek yogurt container until the yogurt has no more white spots and enjoy the tastiness :D Healthy food can be and is just as flavor filled as its counterpart!

Miso Soup Recipe

1/3 cup dashi miso paste (I usually go to an Asian food mart to get this)
4 cups water
3 chopped green onions (or ¼ cup chopped red onion if you run out of green onions or don’t like them)
3 large (the “big squares”) nori sheets (or 2 small packages of nori sheets)
1 cup firm tofu, cut into about ¼ inch cubes and patted to dry with a paper towel
1 tsp soy sauce
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp ground ginger
1 cup fresh spinach
Salt/pepper to taste

Directions
Add all ingredients into a medium saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes or until done (right before it starts to boil). Make sure the miso has dissolved and isn’t lumpy. Prep time is about 10 minutes and this soup serves 4-6. Enjoy!

Healthy Veggie Lasagna Recipe

Veggies:
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
3/4 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced red (or white) onion
3/4 cup spinach
1 tbsp olive oil to cook the veggies
1/2 tsp garlic/herb seasoning
salt/pepper to taste

Place ingredients in a pan with garlic/herb seasoning, the salt and pepper, and olive oil and sauté vegetables for about 5 minutes or until ready (they will be a little softer than they're supposed to, but do not let them get mushy; spinach will also be wilted)

Sauce:
1 tbsp pesto sauce
3 cloves garlic
1 can tomato paste
2 cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup chopped yellow pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
2 tbsp chopped white onions
salt/pepper to taste

Place ingredients in a blender and push "puree" until the sauce looks ready and isn't clumpy

Base:
7 lasagna noodles, cooked and cut in half
1 (15-ounce) carton cottage cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tsp parmesan cheese (to sprinkle on top)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Combine cottage cheese and sauce. Fill the bottom part of an 8 inch square baking pan (or dish) with noodles, put veggies on top, the sauce/cottage cheese mix, and then mozzarella cheese. Continue to add layers until you run out of ingredients, but make sure that there are noodles on the very top. Put a little bit of the sauce/cottage cheese mix on top and then sprinkle 10 shakes of parmesan cheese on top.

Place finished lasagna in the oven for 30minutes covered. Uncover and then bake for 20 more minutes. Let stand for at least 10 minutes. Times may vary slightly, so make sure to consistently check on your lasagna!

Enjoy :)