For My Daughter

Quick and Easy Dinner - One-Pan Pasta

A few weeks ago I was sitting at my desk at working thinking about what I could make for dinner that night that would be quick. I had a late meeting, which meant I had to make a mad dash to pick my daughter up from the after school program, get home, throw something on the stove and get her ready to go back to school for her book club event.

As I was doing my google search I stumbled upon a Martha Stewart recipe that seemed easy enough. I have to say that I am no Martha Stewart and was a little skeptical that I was going to be able to pull it off and that it was as a quick and easy as it seemed to be. The only item that I didn’t have was the basil but there is a little grocery store that I could stop at on my way home to pick it up the fresh basil.

Well… I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised that it came out perfect and my daughter loved it! I even added a little shrimp.

I would strongly suggest making this dish it is wonderful, quick and easy!

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounces linguine
• 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
• 1 onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 2 sprigs basil, plus torn leaves for garnish
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 1/2 cups water
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red-pepper flakes, basil, oil, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and water in a large straight-sided skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil mixture, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs, until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 9 minutes.
   
   
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide among 4 bowls, and garnish with basil. Serve with oil and Parmesan.

Thirty-One Independent Consultant

Just recently I was introduced to Thirty-One Gifts and I became hooked. So hooked in fact that I have decided to become a Thirty One Gifts consultant! So why do you ask do I want to add more work in my life as a single mom? Where am I going to find the time? How I am going to build my brand?

Those questions are relatively easy to answer. I am a non-stop mom that is empowered by working and owning something that I can call my own. I have an A type personality and very organized. I have always wanted to own my own business and this is a good way to get back in the game. I use to be a consultant for a now defunct jewelry company and I loved every second of it. Sure it was a lot of work and the money was good, but networking and enjoying the company of others outweigh the reward.

Money – yes there is a startup cost but when I originally was a jewelry consultant and gained traction I quickly recouped the money that I spent on the startup kit. I was also able to make enough to  save  money that I and build a good cushion for myself and my daughter. She is a little older now and she has her friends and playdates, I finished my MBA and decided that I needed a different balance in my life. I enjoy my career and am thankful every day for my job, but I want to do something for me. I have always loved planning parties and this is a great opportunity and the timing perfect so why not jump at the chance.

So this is a new chapter and more to come. I will be reporting my progress and hosting parties both online and in person. Hopefully you will follow me on my new journey.