I like real people. I like people who get it. Dorie Greenspan is a real person who gets it. Dorie is now at ten published cookbooks (and presumably more on the way), a winner of multiple James Beard’s awards and she appears regularly on television shows where she dazzles with her charm and cooking. She could have said to herself a while ago, “I’ve made it! I’m going to go through the motions now since there’s no need to give it my all”. But like I said, she’s real and she gets it, so she hasn’t. If anything, it looks like she is working even harder these days and I know this first hand.
I bought her latest cookbook called Around my French Table recently and tackled her Potato and Leek Soup. It tasted great and considering it had snowed about two feet that day, it was the perfect thing to warm up to. In fact, it was so perfect that I was inspired to do a photo shoot outside in the snow to prove how perfect the soup was. After picture-taking and playing in the snow, I tweeted this picture to a friend of mine Mardi (@eatlivtravwrite) on Twitter. I threw Dorie’s Twitter handle in the tweet too because, well, why not, it’s the fun of Twitter. I thought if she happen to see it, she might get a kick out of seeing her soup in an unusual location. Well, the power of Twitter paid off. She did like it and the proof is below! Thank you again Dorie, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
So yes, that’s how I know she “gets it”. There are a ton of people out there on Twitter who don’t take the time to interact with their followers. Unfortunately, many people view it as just a one-way conversation where they just receive adulation and never give anything back and simply use their voice to push their own show, product, book, etc.
As the name suggests, Around My French Table is written from the heart. It was made with friends and family in mind. I was already ecstatic with my wonderful new cookbook, but that one small little tweet from Dorie made my day. Dorie AND her Potato and Leek soup have warmed my soul.
So here’s the fun part…the recipe for Potato and Leek Soup.
Actually, here’s the thing, I can’t post the recipe. There’s a club called French Fridays With Dorie and we encourage people to go out and buy their own copy of the book so they can enjoy the deliciousness on their own. I don’t want to sound like a salesperson, but considering how incredible this cookbook is, it’s a steal right now at Amazon (US) for $24 and Amazon (Canada) for $31.
But, if you ask nicely, maybe I’ll make this for you one day on a cold and snowy day!
Tastes better with friends 
Love these photographs and the idea behind them! Count me in for a bowl of this, I’d drive all the way up there now if I could 🙂 And how AWESOME that Dorie replied to you. I find I work hard at interaction on twitter these days (though some days I fail) and always respect others more who do the same.
Now I’m hungry!
thanks Kirsten, I’m happy I meet the “eye” of a photographer! Constant (and good) Twitter interaction is not tough, but it does need effort and time, and it’s difficult to find that everyday, but from what I see, you do a great job:)
Ethan what a gorgeous first post for FFWD. And you are so right about Dorie, it’s one of the reasons I am more than happy to support her – she is generous and kind and yes, she takes the time to interact with us little people which so many “big names” don’t. I remember when Dorie started following me on Twitter I was over the moon, then when she responded to a tweet I did a little dance then when she commented on my blog, I was ecstatic! But all those occurrences are not just one offs – she is the real deal. And her cookbook is honestly the best I have seen in a long time. (errr, can you tell I am a Dorie groupie?)
So pleased you have joined FFWD – and what a great choice of dish for that huge dump of snow you guys had a couple of weeks ago. And what FAB photos!!!
Mardi, I could write a bunch of stuff, but as usual, you’ve summed it all up perfectly. I’m going with what you said!
That’s fantastic – love the pictures and love Dorie! She really is interactive – she commented on my blog when I made her stuffed pumpkin. Which is awesome, by the way!!
I bet you rocked the pumpkin! I’m going to have to check out yours and how cool does it feel when she comments on it!?
Ethan, this sounds delicious! I love the photos – it’s nice to see something creative & different. The snow is much more fun than the standard kitchen shot.
Thanks Lara! I’m doing my best to learn that a picture doesn’t have to be so static, especially since i’m trying to figure out how to take a decent shot from time to time. I figured, the snow is here, why not have fun with it?
Those are some terrific pictures. No wonder Ms. Greenspan loved ’em. But what’s all that white stuff?? Your LA friend, GREG
My LA friend, I’m jealous of your non-white stuff climate!
p.s. Make the soup, serve it cold and eat it on that grainy brown/grey stuff called sand, now that’s a shot!
She totally gets it! I will keep saying it..over and over again without getting tired. Her recipes always work, are always super delicious and she truly is out there for people and with people. She answered to one of my tweets too and I was impressed by that. She is the only famous person that ever replied to me! Even less famous ones sometimes don’t bother. How not to love her 🙂
Exactly! and you know why she gets it, she’d be the first person to refute the “famous” tag. She’s humble, real and does it for the love.
I love these photos!! So happy you joined FFwD. It is a wonderful book and Dorie is pretty cool;)
Merci Lora! Glad to be a part of it and thanks for encouraging me to join!
Ok, Ethan, you’ve convinced me. My Amazon gift card is going to buy this cookbook. I was debating between several and now have gotten One Big Table for Christmas, so Around my French Table it is. Love your photos!
Can I have a bowl of that soup, please? It looks so tempting in that picture outside – I love it!
Absolutely, it’s in the mail, but you may have to warm it up by the time it arrives:) thanks!
your pictures are great – what fun! and very cool that she replied because you are so right on the money with how so many people treat Twitter!
Thanks Melissa, I just looked at your site and it’s your pictures that are great!
Oh, that’s so lovely that she responded! I know how flattered I am when someone makes one of my recipes, and I can’t imagine that feeling would ever go away if I was a published author. But sometimes people get so busy, they don’t have time to respond to it all. It’s wonderful that she saw your tweet and took the time to respond so favourably. And it is a great photo of the soup!
Thank you Carolyn! I know, just the fact that she can respond to the tweets and posts of people making her food is impressive, let alone the wonderful thought she puts into each one.
There is nothing like playing in the snow and eating soup outside. I have to get this book. I’ve seen it at Chapter’s. It’s a brick.
A brick of deliciousness
Very nice post, Ethan. I so agree with you about Dorie Greenspan–she’s real. And for me, you’re one of the people on Twitter that I appreciate because you respond to other people’s tweets–you make people feel like there’s someone on the other side of the Twitter line. 🙂
Great photo of the soup. I have the book but haven’t tried a recipe yet. Now I want a big bowl of potato leek soup! It’s pouring in my neck of the woods!
Thank you Jean for all the kind words! I’ll be honest, the book is a little overwhelming to me, but I thought the soup was a good, gentle (and mmm) way to start.
Thinking back, I think our first “chat” was when you were heading off to SF and I was trying to give you a pep talk about flying and suggesting pills. You were tough!:)
It’s hard to write and blush at the same time, but I’ve got to write to say that the picture of you eating your soup in the snow is too much! I like a guy who’ll suffer for his art : – ) I hope you had a roaring fire going in the house to greet you ‘apres’ your soup adventure.
Dorie, thank you for visiting me! However, right now I want thank you for proving me right by commenting on my post and if all the other comments are any indication, I’m not alone in thinking how wonderful you are (yes, blush a little more).
I’m not ready to cut off my ear, but I will sit in the snow for my “art” 🙂 I thought the soup battling the outdoors elements was too good to pass up and yes, I will do anything for the “right” shot, even if that includes getting a little snow down my boot.
And for what it’s worth, you write and blush very well, because i’m now sitting here smiling and blushing too!
What a fantastic post! Dorie is such a wonderful presence on Twitter and is always so quick to respond. She deserves much credit for that.
As for sitting in the snow… I think you may be a little crazy, though it is an awesome picture. And I bet the soup was just divine and made you forget all about your cold bum.
Thanks Brian! To set the record straight, I did throw on my snowboard pants, so I actually wasn’t that cold, but once the picture was done, I was outta there!
Aww what great Twitter love! I probably would’ve passed out from the happiness. I feel like potato soup is the perfect warmer-for-the-soul on a snowy day, and I always keep potatoes in my pantry–just in case. 😉
I’m with Dorie–nice photos!
You’re exactly right, there’s a lot of Twitter love going on here lol. I don’t think you’ll pass out from happiness with a comment from me on your blog, but I hope it will at least make you smile while you wait for Dorie to stop by:)
Glad you like the photos too!
What a great picture! I’m betting that your soul and tummy were warmer than your buns, though ;).
snowpants are a wonderful invention, I was prepared!
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