Saturday, October 2, 2010

15-Bean Soup / Mustard Crusted Tofu Sandwich / Book Giveaway



This soup is one of my very favorite comfort foods. It's easy (and inexpensive) to make and leftovers are delicious for several days. I've made bean soup zillions of times so I don't use a specific recipe anymore. But, below is a recipe to use as a guideline (I've taken the liberty to veganize it by leaving out the ham bone and using veggie broth). It's from a really fun, feel good cookbook--Pastry Queen Parties by Rebecca Rather. I have all of Rebecca's books and each one is full of really yummy things to make.
Pastry Queen Parties: Entertaining Friends and Family, Texas Style

Mary Jane's Bean Pot Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 tablespoons minced garlic (or less depending on your tastes)
2 jalapeno chilies, seeded, stemmed, and minced
4 medium carrots, diced
10 cups water or veggie broth
1 20-ounce package 15-bean mix, soaked overnight according to package directions
1 10-ounce can Rotel tomatoes (or other diced tomatoes)
1 teaspoon ground ginger (optional unless you like the flavor or ginger)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
a couple drops of liquid smoke (optional)

Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot set over medium heat; saute the onion, celery, garlic, jalapenos, and carrots for about 3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, decrease the heat, and simmer, uncovered, until the beans are tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Along with the soup, we had Mustard Crusted Tofu sandwiches with grilled bell peppers and potato slices. Spicy mustard is one of my favorite marinades-toppings for tofu.


I'm so in love with bread baking that I've been making almost all the bread we eat. It's something I rarely purchase anymore. If you've been longing to bake your own bread but are not sure where to start, the recipes in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day are almost foolproof. There's no major kneading involved, the necessary tools and ingredients are few, and the technique is not complicated at all. If you're really interested in making your own bread and you'd like a copy of the book, I'm giving away 2 copies to you would-be bread bakers out there. Just leave a comment before next Friday and I'll have Dave randomly pick two numbers and the corresponding comments will get the book.
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking







Go forth and bake bread!

12 comments:

  1. That soup looks so delicious! And, mustard on tofu sounds really good. Tofu is one of those things that I get in restaurants sometimes but don't eat at home.

    All the bread looks wonderful. I'd love to get on a roll (ha ha) and bake bread on a regular basis.

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  2. I'd love the book. I read your blog constantly, though i should comment more.
    lol, minus the carrots, celery, and ginger, I made almost the exact same soup yesterday.

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  3. I love baking bread and would love to try new recipes for it. Definitely count me in for the book contest. Your breads, by the way, look awesome.

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  4. I love bean soups, this seems to be very tasty, I'll try, thanks!
    I love baking bread and would love to try new recipes for it: please count me in, this is a great giveaway!!

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  5. I've never baked bread but it would be fun to try!

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  6. I would love a copy of the book. I am wanting to make my own bread more often!

    The soup, sandwich, and that bread....it all looks delicious! :o)

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  7. I'd like to get better at baking bread. I'm envious of your lovely loaves.

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  8. Your home must smell divine with bread baking so often, Michele. I love the soup and will have to make some with the barlotto beans I recently picked. I could go for a hunk of that bread right now!

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  9. I really enjoy reading your blog. I've heard of that book and would love to win it! Thanks for all of the great recipes...

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  10. Wow!!! Look at all of your awesome bread! If you can go homemade, there is nothing better for sure!!! WOuld love to win the book!

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  11. mmm...bread. most definitely my favorite food cuz it's so versatile

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  12. Your breads are so pretty Michele!!!!

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