With just a yellow bike, a used trailer, and a few two-quart containers of homemade gumbo, David Ansel began peddling soupto his friends and neighbors in the free-spirited community of Bouldin Creek in Austin, Texas. He dubbed his loyal customers "Soupies," and as word of his grassroots soup service spread, his delivery roster grew into a veritable Cult of the Bowl.THE SOUP PEDDLER'¬?S SLOW & DIFFICULT SOUPS is David'¬?s heart- and belly-warming story of his first soup season peddling to the slacker-philosophers, artist-activists, and celebrity-eccentrics of Bouldin Creek. On his route, you'¬?ll meet a cross-dressing mayoral candidate, a radical coterie of plant liberators, a scheming ice cream man, and Alex the Wonder Dog, among others. To season his stories, David shares 35 of his most popular soups, with eclectic recipes like South Austin Chili, Alaskan Salmon Chowder, Smoked Tomato Bisque, Schav (Jewish sorrel soup), and Ajiaco (Colombian chickencornsoup).A loving homage to the art, science, and joy of soup, and a taste of simpler times in our modern fast-food nation, SLOW & DIFFICULT SOUPS is a rousing reminder of our basic need to connect to our food-and those who cook, deliver, and slurp it.Reviews:"How could you not love a book by a Jewish boy from Texas that combines thoughts about fudgecicles, Baptist preachers, dogs, and a band called the Barbecuties with soups from Austin, Algeria, Armenia, and just about every place in between? Great recipes and a great read."-Ari Weinzweig, cofounder of Zingerman'¬?s"David has produced a book full of insightful, personal stories and well-crafted recipes. SLOW & DIFFICULT SOUPS provides the reader with a front row seat to his unique culinary adventure."-John Campbell, creator of Central Market"SLOW & DIFFICULT SOUPS is filled with the sense of community David and his business embody; it shows us how the slow food movement is meant to be lived."-Steven Bercu, CEO of BookPeople"Reading these tales is like following David on his bike as he brings his soups to the people of Austin. He'¬?s a first-class storyteller and one helluva soupmaker."-Joan Nathan, author of Jewish Cooking in America
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
More than 35 original soup recipes from the Soup Peddler —a thriving soup-delivery service —with colorful stories and delightful illustrations.
The first culinary memoir to feature chase scenes, dream sequences, an ice cream–peddling archenemy, a cross-dressing mayoral candidate, and a furry sidekick.
The Soup Peddler ’s burgeoning business embodies slow food and environmentalist ideals, with emphases on healthy, seasonal ingredients; veggie-friendly options; sustainability; reusable packaging; and a whole lotta TLC.
Soups include Mulligatawny (spicy Indian soup), Ajiaco (Colombian chicken-corn soup), and Armenian Apricot Soup, as well as new twists on comforting favorites like Borscht, Veggie Minestrone, and Salmon Chowder.
About the Author
The Soup Peddler is DAVID ANSEL, a sixth-generation Baltimorean Jew expatriate living in the liberal enclave of Austin, Texas. His transformation from software developer to yoga teacher to bicycle-pedaling purveyor of soup has attracted attention from such disparate media as the Christian Science Monitor and Punk Planet. His booming soup-delivery service has also been featured on the Food Network.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By S. Kohn
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you think you are buying a book filled with recipies you are mistaken. In its 181 pages there are 35 recipies--wonderful and tasteful.
If you are intersted in reading David Ansel's reveries, then this is primarily what the book is about. They are fascinating.
Since I expected to find more or the former and less of the latter, I was disappointed.
If you are intersted in reading David Ansel's reveries, then this is primarily what the book is about. They are fascinating.
Since I expected to find more or the former and less of the latter, I was disappointed.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a rare treasure that brings together love for good food and a contagious love for life. I don't consider myself a cook, but the Soup Peddler makes it so easy, you can't miss. You'll be glad you bought this book, and so will all the people who get to share your soup!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By J. Zemel
Format:Paperback
I read this book from cover to cover in one evening. My report is that it was a spellbinding and thrilling experience since I live in the vaunted and character-filled "Bouldin Creek" neighborhood. David not only did us justice (yes, I am the haiku priestess...), but the recipes are great as well. You will not regret buying this book!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not exactly a cookbook
As an ex Austinite, 25 years removed, I absolutely LOVED this book. The recipes are good, but the stories leading up to them are fabulous! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Granite Bay Golfer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real page turner!!
First off, I found this in the cookbook aisle so I thought I was buying a cookbook. But after reading the the introduction I realized I was in for a real treat. Read more
Published on May 10, 2011 by Tina M. Lindquist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great recipes, Wonderful story.
Loved this book, read it in one day and night, unusual for me.. then I loaned it to my daughter, who used to live in Austin, and she refuses to give it back. Read more
Published on April 22, 2010 by Jean Anderson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Required reading for non-native Austinites
First, the Soup Peddler's soups are amazing. Get the book even if you just want some recipes.
There's a lot more to it though -- it captures the spirit of the old South Austin... Read more
There's a lot more to it though -- it captures the spirit of the old South Austin... Read more
Published on August 26, 2009 by Jon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute read
I live in Austin and received this book as a gift. The author presents some relatable Austin-centric anecdotes and the recipes look good too. Read more
Published on February 20, 2009 by Alice
1.0 out of 5 stars
worst recipe ever
Okay, full disclosure: I did not read this book. However, a recipe for Soupe au Pistou les Montilles from its pages was featured in Natural Health magazine. Read more
Published on October 9, 2008 by Jessica Craft
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it.
This book is absolutely wonderful. It has some great recipes to match up to the adventures that "Soup" went through. Not a thriller, but definitely a wonderful read.
Published on October 10, 2007 by Stephanie Gage
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great recipes - and yes, they are slow and challenging
This is a truly great cookbook. In my experience soup recipes are sometimes afterthoughts, as if soup isn't worth the attention of a main course, but these have been carefully... Read more
Published on January 16, 2007 by TX lilbit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious Reading and Great Recipes to Boot!
This is a well-written, easy-reading HILARIOUS book that gives one a magnified glimpse into the life of an Austinite. Read more
Published on June 2, 2006 by P. Hartnett
5.0 out of 5 stars
So well-written
David's writing is almost better than his soup. I notice this everytime I read something of his, whether the weekly Soupie email, article or something else. Read more
Published on December 15, 2005 by A proud Soupie
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
books:
- New Mexico: A Promise Made/A Place Called Home/Making Amends (Heartsong Novella Collection) by Janet Lee Barton on page 19
- Cesar Chavez (Importance of) by Linda Jacobs Altman on page 63
Books on Related Topics
(learn more)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
