My Online Cooking Friends - French Fridays with Dorie

Saturday, January 12, 2013



A few months ago, when I wrote my first post for the French Fridays with Dorie online cooking group, I was definitely very excited, a bit scared and to tell you the truth did not expect very much. It sure sounded like a very nice way to promote my infant blog, get traffic and hopefully, comments and cook some delicious sounding French recipes from Dorie Greenspans' "Around my French Table" which by the way is the biggest, heaviest cookbook I own!!

As the Fridays came and went my shy fascination with the group grow bigger and bolder! I started reading the other participants' blogs regularly and commented on their posts not just to get their reciprocal comment. I was eager and see how they prepared the dish, their thoughts about the recipe and how they might have adapted it to suit their and their family's pallets.

I must confess my feelings where not always on the noble side (I'm only human and a highly flawed one as a matter of fact...). I envied the beautiful photographs, the inspired writing and ability to manage a household full of people and pets and still be able to cook, photograph and post about it. Some people are blessed and born with special talents but still have to work really hard like the rest of us do to get to a place above our current self. If this is done for something that you love then the process is not as difficult as it sounds but really very fulfilling. And anyway this was not a race nor a contest. It was an opportunity to meet people who shared the same passion, learn from their experiences, their mistakes, and mine, without judgement and if anything with a lot of encouragement and positive energy. 

I studied Liz's, Patty's, Andrea's, Trevor's, Paula's, Maya's, Elaine's mouthwatering photographs. I got inspired by Mardi's, Mary's, Maggie's, Betsy's, Sara's beautiful writing. I related and laughed with Cher's, Alice's, Kathy's, Candy's, Guyla's, Nana's & Tricia's, Jora's, Teresa's everyday cooking adventures. I know I'm only mentioning a few of the wonderful people who participate in this cooking adventure. You have to forgive me, my literary skills are not advanced enough to mention every one without making this post look like a directory page. 

This Christmas time something really magical happened. Thanks to Alice's idea and flawless organisation (I have already proposed to her to move to Greece and have a go in organising our government!) cards started flying in from all over the world. Christmas cards with wishes and messages and favourite recipes from the members of our wonderful little online kitchen. It felt like Christmas morning every time I received a new one. A surge of excitement to see who it was from, and then gratitude and affection when I read the joyful messages full of wishes and words of encouragement. I just hope that my cards brought them the same joy and "childish" excitement, their's brought me!

Thank you all for making this past Christmas season a very special one!!!

As for this Friday's recipe, I have yet to see how my Long and Slow Apples look like! They have been stewing in the oven there for the past 3 hours! But I don't worry. As with many, if not all of Dorie's recipes, I am sure they will turn out tasting delicious. If their appearance is somewhat funny then this is completely my fault! I am going to enjoy them any way! 

Please visit our French Fridays with Dorie homepage to see how my online cooking friends have prepared this extra special recipe!



12 comments:

  1. I identified completely with every word you ahve written about cooking with a group.. Its the same with me and the baking with julia group!! Its been amazing and am so glad i joined the group...

    And I am so impressed with the whole Christmas card coordination .. brilliant!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad to find someone else who feels the same as I do. I don't have a family to care for (just my husband and I at home) or a job and I still struggle to get everything cooked and posted for just FFwD. I let go of Baking with Julia regularly because it wasn't working for me. Many of the cooks do multiple groups, have jobs and kids! Still I greatly admire all of us slogging away and trying to express ourselves and connect with other like minded people, at least when it comes to food:) Besides its just plain fun! I'm happy you've joined the group, Maria, and I look forward to your posts and your comments each week. The Christmas card exchange was an awesome idea and (to me) a massive under taking. Thank you Alice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guyla- my sentiments echo yours completely. I am retired with only my husband and me at home, and I totally admire & respect all of these incredible ladies & guys that cook these recipes every week; while juggling everything else. And, we all have such different kitchen situations to deal with, also- sometimes the lack of equipment, etc. etc. This is an inspirational and very wonderful group to cook with.

      Delete
  3. Aw, what a lovely post, Maria! Loved the card exchange and I can't wait to see what cookies come my way. These exchanges have added another dimension of fun to our group...so happy you've joined us!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post Maria - I'm so glad we "met" this last year and have gotten to know one another a little. Looking forward to another year of cooking delicious and interesting things with you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a nice post, Maria. I feel the same way about this group. It's been so nice to get to know you, even though you are an ocean away. I love the way the card exchange bonded us over the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely post! It's a great group of people and the Christmas card exchange solidified that for me. I'm looking forward to reading more from you as the group progresses.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is such a lovely post, Maria. You put into words what so many of us felt about this card exchange. It was really fun to connect with people we’ve been following in the blogosphere for several years now and about the friendships that this group has fostered! It was a huge undertaking…thank you Alice!
    Hope your apples came out delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful post, Maria. The card exchange was such a great idea & really cemented the essence of who the people in the group are.
    I agree - the relationships are the best part of this group (along with lots of good food). It has become a bright spot in my week.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dо yοu haνe a ѕpam problеm on thіѕ sіte;
    I also аm a blοgger, anԁ I wаs ωonԁeгіng
    your situation; wе haνe ԁеvelopеd sоme nicе pгaсtіces and
    we aгe looking to ехchange methοdѕ with
    others, be sure to shoot mе an еmаil іf inteгested.
    Feel free to surf my site savings account payday loans

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the layout to your blog. Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it your self? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to look a nice blog like this one today..
    my webpage :: DiamondLinks.net

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi my frienԁ! I wish to say that thiѕ aгtіcle is аweѕome,
    great written аnd inсlude almοst all ѕignificant infos.
    I'd like to peer extra posts like this .
    Here is my webpage fast payday loans

    ReplyDelete

Please share with me your thoughts about this post. Thank you for visiting.