Cooking for the Culture by Toya Boudy

I have lately been obsessed with New Orleans and Creole food, history, and culture.  So naturally when I was looking for new cookbooks, this caught my eye.  Toya Boudy is a TV chef I've watched prior and love her recipes.  

This is similar to Home Is Where The Eggs Are, reviewed here recently, in that it is a hybrid cookbook and memoir.  Each recipe begins with an anecdote from Boudy's past and each section with family history.  Boudy is one of 3 sisters, the daughters of two hard working parents.  Because her parents worked, they were just above the monetary guidelines for assistance, meaning meals had to stretch, and her parents made almost everything from scratch. Boudy became pregnant in high school, which threw a wrench in her plans, but she did eventually complete her education and gave birth to her best friend.  Her eldest daughter became her biggest cheerleader, being present for all of her mom's success.     

These are amazing recipes, and I copied a bunch of them before adding this to our collection.  I am hoping someday to visit NOLA and try so many dishes!

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.