Missouri Comfort by Mathew Unger and Porcshe Moran Murphy
Dismissing Missouri as a flyover state overlooks its hidden gems, especially when it comes to food.
Sure, burnt ends and toasted ravioli hold a special place in our hearts, but they merely scratch the surface of the Show Me State's vibrant culinary landscape.
Here, fine dining rubs elbows with casual comfort food, farm-fresh ingredients find their way onto gourmet plates, global influences add a vibrant spice to the mix, and our wines, craft brews, and spirits make perfect pairings.
Whether you're a lifelong Missourian or just passing through, the pages of the Missouri Comfort cookbook will inspire you to try new things in your kitchen, dive deeper into the state's food culture, and hit the road to sample the best of what Missouri offers in every region.
Discover the significant food contributions of Native Americans, enslaved people of African descent, and immigrants from France, Germany, and Ireland. Dig into soulful country dishes, juicy steaks and pork chops, Cajun and Creole delights, and Missouri specialties like Springfield's cashew chicken, St. Louis' gooey butter cake, and, of course, all-things barbecue, honoring our variety of styles from Kansas City to St. Louis and in the Ozarks.
Seasoned cooks and beginners are invited to join Chef Matthew Unger and travel and food writer Porcshe Moran Murphy on a delicious statewide adventure filled with recipes, stories, and recommendations for top places to eat and drink.
This appetizing exploration traverses history and the present day, from bustling urban centers and energetic college towns to charming villages and everywhere in between.
About the Author
Porcshe Moran Murphy is a marketing and communications professional based in central Missouri. She creates digital and print content for global and regional brands, covering food and drink, travel, home design, healthcare technology, and business. Porcshe holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband Patrick and their furkids (dogs Lily and Daisy and cat Captain Oliver) and close friends and family. Her hobbies include traveling, reading mystery and thriller novels, attending arts and culture events, and exploring restaurants, wineries, state parks, and museums.
Mathew’s love of food and cooking started at the age of 9 after taking a cooking class from the Sisters of Notre Dame. Mathew received his BA in business from Missouri State University in Springfield, and, after spending a few years as a stockbroker, he decided to turn his passion for food into a career. He’s taught culinary classes, worked in kitchens at local restaurants, and owned and operated his own restaurant, Mathew’s Kitchen. Mathew is currently the Director of Foodservice at Midwest Petroleum, where he oversees Dottie’s, a truckstop diner in Cuba, Missouri, and develops programs for convenience stores throughout Missouri and Illinois. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, Maggie, and their two children.
Product Specifications
Reedy Press, 2024. Hardcover, 160 pages.
