Name: Masala Corn Spinach Toastie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp unsalted butter (I like Kerrygold); 2 cloves garlic; 1/2 jalapeno (with seeds, chopped); 1 cup corn; 1 cup spinach (chopped); 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp chat masala; 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese; 4 slices Ezekiel bread (divided; whole wheat or white bread work too); masala corn spinach (from above); 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese (divided; 2 tbsp per slice of bread)

Masala Corn Spinach Toastie recipe with step by step photos. Creamy, delicious Masala Corn Spinach Toastie that’s quick and easy to make. Bake this on Ezekiel, whole wheat, or white bread.

Advice, Regrets, and Stories from my 20s

This post is dedicated to the Class of 2020 graduating college seniors. Graduating college is an incredible accomplishment, so congrats to all of you! Post-grad life is daunting, and, like me, you’ll probably have problems that you didn’t even know existed when you were in college. But your 20s can also be the most memorable, amazing time of your life– a time you’ll look back on for years to come.

While I did enjoy many moments in my 20s, I wish I had someone to guide me in certain areas; if I could do it over, I would have done some things differently. So, here’s my advice, regrets, and stories from the 20s! Now that I have nieces who are in their early 20s, I’m always giving them the advice I never had to make sure they don’t make the same mistakes I did. While I am certain some of you won’t see eye to eye with me (and that’s OK!), I hope you find most of my advice useful!

Career

I started working right after college, and just a year later I was laid off during a recession. Very early on, I realized the value of money and the importance of saving– it is so important to live within your means. I also learned that Corporate America isn’t loyal to their employees, and hence we need not be. In my 20s, I worked for four different companies; I changed jobs every few years when I felt I wasn’t learning enough at a job. It’s very easy to get complacent at a job, but a job should challenge you and appreciate you. Don’t make the mistake of staying where you don’t belong.

Working in technology, I learned the most from the software, consulting, and financial industries. Although they’re undoubtedly tough jobs with long hours in a male-dominated environment, the learning and experiences made it all worth it. Even though I felt burnt out at the end of my twenties, those jobs gave me a solid foundation which opened up other opportunities for my career as I grew older. When I was younger, I was hungry to learn as much as I could. As I got older, my desire to learn was unfortunately shadowed by the new problems of my thirties.

Money

I come from a humble background. When I moved to the United States with my family, we didn’t have much money, like most immigrants. I lived in a world of saving money by bringing my own lunches to school and hand-me-downs. My dad was an Electrical Engineer and believed education is the road to success. He saved as he had the responsibility of putting four kids through college. I didn’t see “real” money until I started working in Corporate America at the age of 22. My dad taught us the importance of saving to make sure all his kids were financially comfortable instead of living paycheck to paycheck. He especially believed in his daughters being independent so we never rely on a man financially. To this day, I live within my means and the thought of living paycheck to paycheck gives me anxiety.

Additionally, the “Happy Hour” culture in cities like New York and Los Angeles is fun, and you should have fun, but it’s important not to get so caught up in that whole “drinking culture” where you lose sight of what’s important. You will quickly eat into your savings if you don’t have a plan outlined. My recommendation is to live within your means and to have a direct deposit set up to both your checking and savings accounts. Ideally, aim to save 50% of your salary, but at the very least I recommend saving 25%.

Debt

Right after college, it’s imperative you pay off any college debt sooner rather than later. By living at home early on, I was able to pay off my college debt within 7 months. While you’re living at home rent-free, don’t make the mistake of blowing up all your money and not paying off your loan. The 6% unsubsidized interest rate will quickly catch up with you. I was all about taking my time to pay off my debt until I saw $300 in interest every month. To me, that’s money down the drain which can be avoided especially if you’re living at home. So don’t get too attached to your money, pay off that loan. 🙂

Investing

I was always a saver, not an investor; it took me a long time to learn that investing is a safe way for my money to grow. My brother, who is 13 years older and more like a father-figure to me, always looked out for my financial wellbeing: he insisted I max out my 401k. Although It took me some time, I eventually listened to him. I started investing in my 401k by the age of 26, a little late, I really should have started at 22 when I landed my first job. The longer you invest, the more compounded interest you generate, and thus, the more you will have for retirement (hopefully).

Another recommendation is investing in the Stock Market. I didn’t learn about how the Stock Market operates until I was in my 30s. Once I got the hang of it, I was buying and selling stocks. It is empowering! You’re not always going to make money in the Stock Market, but hopefully, with the right investments, you will make more than you could’ve imagined. At the end of the day, investing in the Stock Market is a risk. This is one area both my husband and I have in common. Every morning, we check our stocks, discuss our earnings and losses, and research what stocks to buy next. It’s fun!

Moving Out

Perhaps, one of my biggest regrets is not moving out of my parents’ home sooner, I waited too long. There’s definitely a good and bad side to this. The good – you’ll save a lot assuming you don’t spend a lot. The bad – my parents were also strict, so meeting up with friends or having a Girls Night Out was always a challenge. I’ve come a long way since (lol).

I finally moved out by 30, and soon I found myself alone for the very first time in my life – no family, no roomies, just me. I was scared, but it was also the most liberating experience knowing that for once I was in charge of my life and I could take care of myself. Moving out forced me to grow up and during my time alone, I learned how to be a “real adult.” I loved that sense of independence. Once you have a financial cushion, I think everyone should experience living alone or with roommates at some point in life. You will grow so much!

Love

Love makes the world go round. You’ll meet lots of people in your 20s, but if you’re lucky, you’ll meet “the one.” I wasn’t so lucky in that respect. Looking back, I wish I had more confidence in myself, I wish I believed in myself, I wish I didn’t live life in fear, and I wish I listened to my gut when I didn’t feel something was right. That’s our inner voice many of us don’t listen to, that is the voice of God. Listen to it! Clearly, I have regrets in the “love” department.

In your 20s, the best thing you can do is work on yourself, have confidence, become independent, and work on your career. Don’t be so influenced by the cliche societal pressures of marriage and kids because you know what’s worse than getting married? Getting married to the “wrong” person and losing yourself. Believe me, you don’t wanna go down that path. Take this time and work on yourself, have faith, trust in God’s timing, and know that when someone amazing comes along, you won’t have to work so hard at it because the relationship will be relatively effortless. Some of us have to wait for love a little longer, and that’s okay. I promise you, it’s worth it!

And that’s it

So best of luck to the Graduating Class of 2020! Your 20s is time to explore and not settle for less than you deserve. Though you’re entering a more uncertain economic and social climate than ever, I hope that this advice empowers you, helps you with your 20s, and all the highs and lows come with it – in your career, in money, in love, and in growing up. Feel free to DM me on Instagram (or leave a comment below) if you need additional advice or have any comments.

Alright, and now for the reason why you’re actually here – Masala Corn Spinach Toastie. Sharing this super easy recipe for all you kids in your 20s. It takes 20 minutes for this toastie to come to life. Enjoy!

Masala Corn Spinach Toastie is:

Creamy
Scrumptious
Flavorful
Mouthwatering
Vegetarian
Gluten-Free option (use GF bread)
The Perfect Snack
Made on Ezekiel Bread (sprouted whole wheat)

How to make Masala Corn Spinach Toastie recipe with step by step ingredients?

Prep

1. Chop the garlic and jalapeno. Rinse the frozen corn under warm water.

Cook

1. Heat up a stainless steel pan. Once hot, add unsalted butter.
2. Add the garlic and jalapeno. Saute for 30 seconds.
3. Add the corn. Cook for about 2 minutes until the corn warms up.
4. Proceed to add the chopped spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

5. This is what you should have.
6. Add flour. Stir and cook for a minute.
7. Slowly add milk to avoid curdling. Cook the milk and veggies for about 2 minutes until the milk thickens up slightly.
8. Add salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and chat masala.
9. Add cheese. Turn off the stove. Stir.

Assemble

1. Spread the masala corn spinach mixture over bread. I used Ezekiel Bread which is a healthier option.
2. Top with a little more cheese. Into the toaster oven for 4-5 minutes at 400 degrees until the cheese melts. Right after that, you can broil the toasties if you wish.
3. Once done, cut into triangles.

Enjoy! Add a few drops of Siracha on top.