French Fridays with Dorie

I’ll admit it.

Dorie Greenspan is responsible for making me the baker I am today.

Now, maybe she doesn’t know this, because apart from a few Twitter conversations, an email or two, and some blogger chit chat, I’ve never met Dorie.  Never spoken to her.  But her book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, and the baking group set up by my blogger friend Laurie,  entitled Tuesdays With Dorie, set me on a path of fearless baking each and every week for well over a year.

It was through my Tuesdays With Dorie experience that I met so many great bloggers, all of which inspired me to try something new, experiment with ingredients, or bake something I would have never dreamed.  I plodded along with the group for over 80 recipes, the majority of which I have made numerous times since.  These recipes are written in such a way that you feel as if Dorie is there in your kitchen, guiding you with each flour measurement, peeking into the lit oven right along with you.  It is comforting.  It inspired me.  Sadly, I got so busy with my baking business that I had to bow out of Tuesdays With Dorie.  However, if ever I need a go-to recipe for something, it is THAT book that I seek out.

Now there is a new endeavor.  A NEW book.  Dorie is back with her expansive and thoroughly gorgeous Around My French Table.  And Laurie, too, is back with a group to cook along with – French Fridays with Dorie.  The group is one of ease…no formal contract that you MUST cook every recipe. (Though you’ll probably want to.)  The group officially begins on October 1, and our first recipe is Gougeres.

If you’ve ever made a cream puff, you’ll probably find gougeres a cinch, as it is basically cream puff dough with lots of cheese mixed in.  And, if you’ve never made puffs, no worries!  You’ll find Dorie’s step by step recipe full of generous advice.And just in case THAT’S not enough to lessen your fright, just tweet me or email me along the way and I’ll hold your hand.

I hope you will consider joining us in the group.  I know that being a part of Dorie’s group in the past was a real treat for me, and I am so thankful I joined.  It has changed my life in so many ways…so many positive ways.   I learned to bake, I started a business, I made so many friends along the way! If nothing else, it will provide you with some deliciousness!

First things first, buy the book if you haven’t already.  The book MAY be on backorder, but don’t let that stop you.  For the first month,  the group is providing you the recipes, just in case you don’t receive your copy in enough time to start along with us.  So – click here, grab the book, and join in for what I know will be a wonderful culinary adventure.  I can’t wait!