Sunday, October 14, 2007

Anger, Confusion, Depression, I'm Onto Bargaining...

Well, they say life never ever goes as planned, and you would think I'd know that by now!! However, I wasn't totally prepared for the letdown I got from George Brown College stating that they had cancelled my Pastry Arts program for the January start date. Sigh. When I first got the letter I was so angry, and I couldn't understand why the world was against me. I spent most of yesterday moping around the house because I felt like the world had ended.


Then today, thanks to my endless browsing through the archives of Eric's blog, I had a slow, struggling flicker of genius. Who said I needed to be in the full-time program? Eric has documented how the Continuing Education was a successful alternative, and with my health issues this seems to be the better way regardless.


I'm considering this my bargaining alternative. This route would allow me to continue with the bakery and go back to school, two things that I love doing. Before the recipe today I just wanted to take a moment and thank Eric, whom I've never met but whose writing I've thoroughly enjoyed and been inspired by, for silently opening up a window for me when I thought my last door had closed. I'd also like to thank my dad, Andrew, Martha, my mom, and Teaghan for supporting me and my dreams no matter how many times they seem to falter or how scatterbrained my wishes may be. I will strive my hardest to make you all proud of me, you have shown me how wonderful life can be if you take faith in who you are.
***
This recipe is one that I can attribute the inspiration for to Andrew. He and I were watching Giada's Weekend Getaways one evening and he mentioned the soup she was eating in one segment looked incredibly tasty. So, looking at a few black bean tortilla soup recipes I had on hand, I came up with this one. It's a roasted tomato, pepper and garlic black bean soup that is thickened with tortilla chips. It will definitely be on my list to make and freeze for him when he comes home from college!! I'm so proud of you honey, keep kicking that police-foundationing butt!


Mexican Villager’s Soup
10 Servings
9 large, ripe tomatoes
7 fresh jalapenos
2 large heads garlic, peeled and separated
4 medium sized onions, quartered
6 fresh Hungarian wax peppers

2 fresh cubanelle peppers
Olive oil
8 cups vegetable stock
6 cups crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 1/4 pounds salt-free corn tortilla chips
2 cups cooked, drained black beans


  1. Preheat an oven to 350 F.
  2. Place the tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, onions, and peppers onto a sheet pan or cookie sheet and then drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Place the sheet tray into the preheated oven and roast until 15 to 20 minutes.
  4. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  5. Into a large stockpot add the stock, crushed tomatoes, and roasted veggies and cook two minutes.
  6. Add cumin, paprika, garlic, tortilla chips and ½ the beans, simmer for 15 minutes.
  7. Puree the mixture until well combined.
  8. Add the remaining beans.
  9. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  10. Simmer to keep warm until you're ready to serve.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 441.9
Total Fat: 13.4 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 1,716.5 mg
Total Carbs: 41.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 9.9 g
Protein: 12.3 g

3 comments :

  1. just follow your heart you can do anything when you believe in you self... your an amazing baker you'll be fine you just need to get your health improved but you are great in the kitchen you'll be the best in the classes no problem

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  2. I'm glad you found inspiration in my blog. I first started writing entries because there weren't any first-hand accounts of the classes at George Brown when I looked a few years ago. So I wanted other people to know what it was like!

    For another perspective, Ivonne has also been taking classes at GB. I had the pleasure of working in a class with her and can attest that she is quite friendly and sweet. Her baking class entries are here.

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  3. Glad that the program will work out---it's a great thing that you can continue with the bakery AND study! The soup looks fantastic, too!

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Thanks for the feedback!