Adding some spice to her education, Lone Star College-Montgomery student Patty Baker has combined her business knowledge with her cooking passion to publish the Salsa Recipe Book (AuthorHouse, 2011), a collection of authentic, nutritious salsa recipes.
 
The mother of two from The Woodlands, who has been working part-time toward an associate of applied science degree in accounting for close to five years, will graduate this fall, just in time to kick off her catering/food establishment business.
 
“My education at LSC-Montgomery has given me the basic knowledge to be a business owner such as preparing documents and keeping up with records,” said Baker, who has lived in The Woodlands for nine years. “Plus the college has helped me develop my English language skills, which was necessary for publishing my book.”
 
The Salsa Recipe Book features 19 recipes, all created by Baker or adapted from family recipes she enjoyed as a child in Mexico. The book includes plenty of colorful photos, all taken by Baker herself, as well as tips on where to find some not-so-common ingredients.
 
“Each recipe is very nutritious, made from fresh ingredients, and simple to make,” said Baker. “Salsas don't have to be spicy or even require specific measurements. These recipes are a good guide, but people can add more or less spice to their preferences."
 
In addition to the accounting degree that Baker is pursuing, LSC-Montgomery offers an accounting certificate, taxation certificate, continuing education office accounting courses, and an accounting advanced technical certificate for CPA exam preparation. This allows individuals who have a baccalaureate or higher degree to enroll at LSC-Montgomery and earn the 30 advanced accounting hours needed to take the examination to become a CPA.
 
Baker said that the accounting classes are not easy, but she tries her best, which accounts for her 3.84 GPA.
 
“From the moment I’m in the classroom, it’s about practicing what we’ve learned,” said Baker. “The professors are helpful—especially Dr. (Madeline) Brogan, who is very positive and inspirational.”
 
It was that inspiration that gave Baker the edge to complete her recipe book last fall, despite being turned down by two publishers.
 
After seeing a lack of this particular type of recipe book on the market, Baker was able to self-publish the book and have it on the market before the Christmas holiday.
 
“I knew if I didn’t do it, I would never be satisfied,” said Baker. “I wanted to share something that’s unique, authentic, and gives people a sense of eating healthy, and I think I did it.”
 
For more information about Baker’s book, search for “Salsa Recipe Book” on Facebook; or look for it online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, AuthorHouse, and other online retailers.
 
For more information about the accounting program at LSC-Montgomery, contact Pat Sendelbach, accounting department chair, at 936.271.6134, or at Patricia.A.Sendelbach@LoneStar.edu; or Madeline Brogan at 936.273.7253, or Madeline.M.Brogan@LoneStar.edu.
 
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
 
With more than 75,000 students in credit classes for fall 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.