The intent of this book is to provide more than a strict set of world recipes, but rather to offer inspiration for cooking and creating in the kitchen. My first piece of advice for learning to cook is to do it frequently and experiment with different approaches. Take note of what works and what doesnÕt, and always ask yourself whether you enjoyed the outcome and what you could change to make it better.
Although I often read recipes, I rarely follow them exactly. By examining multiple recipes for the same dish, youÕll quickly realize that there are a few standard ingredients that form the foundation of the dish, but many variables that can be adjusted based on personal preference. Occasionally, researching the history of a recipe can provide insight into the traditional ingredients, but often these recipes can be quite bland since high-quality ingredients were not as widely available in the past.
In my family, itÕs a tradition to cook large meals for gatherings. I particularly enjoy dishes that bring people together, especially when theyÕre prepared during a shared cooking experience. Personally, I tend to gravitate towards traditional soul food dishes that have been passed down through generations, each family putting their own spin on them.
This book contains my personal take on my favorite dishes from the Murphy family repertoire. Please note that if precise measurements are crucial to you, these recipes have a 27% margin of error by volume, but only 24% margin of error by weight.