Murrells Inlet author opens door to world cuisines in ‘Ally’s Kitchen’

Murrells Inlet food maven Alice Phillips — a (retired) psychologist with a PhD, national recipe contest winner and food blogger extraordinaire — has put her work together for all who appreciate it in a hardbound gift, “Ally’s Kitchen: A Passport for Adventurous Palates.”

Thinking of the book as a passport is no accident. While the food in the book covers the cuisines of many cultures and countries, this is much more than a collection of recipes. Each page is infused with Ally’s own adventuresome spirit. She wants each reader to take a magic carpet ride with her, and she is a capable pilot for such flights of fancy.

“I was inspired to write this cookbook after decades of travel from around the world,” Phillips said. “No matter where I have been, from Israel to Italy, I have realized that food connects us all as one people.”

Phillips began her website/blog career in January 2011 and gets more than 3,000 unique visits weekly to her website, allyskitchen.com. Her blog and cookbook are not simply a foray into food. Her amazing success is due to a unique combination of talent, drive and a deep concern for others.

“My mantra in life has always been to dream boldly … doesn’t matter how old you are … dreams do come true with lots of passion and elbow grease,” Phillips said, “and I’m living proof … a book author in my 60s! I’m doing my very first book-signing (which was May 15) in Myrtle Beach where I raised my family, had a successful career, and it’s a place I’ve called home for over 40 years.”

Reading her recipes and working through one in your own kitchen is like getting a life coach who sits on your shoulder while you are preparing food for yourself and your family. Her cookbook is available at Barnes and Noble in The Market Common, where her book-signing was held, and it has hit the top 100 in “international cookbooks” on Amazon.com!

Phillips came to the world of food early on — in her mother’s kitchen — and she always has been known as a great cook. She burst onto the contest and blogging scene after retiring as a psychologist.

“Many, women primarily, who’ve hit 40 are looking for inspiration, how to reinvent and direct their lives,” Phillips said. “I think I provide the ‘oomph’ and inspiration (for them) via my energy, soul and spirited living.”

Phillips is the creator of what she calls a “Bohemian Bold” (Boho) style of cooking and living, terminology that respects her heritage and zest for life. She was a Top 100 contestant in “Master Chef: Season 2” and frequently wins awards for her unique and rustic Boho, culinary-inspired recipes.

“Nothing thrills my soul more than to make a memorable meal,” said Phillips, who said her Boho philosophy is about encouraging creativity in others. “Your kitchen is your laboratory where you experiment and try new things — welcome mistakes and let the splatters, spills, smudges and flub-ups bring you along the Boho journey of loving what you’re doing.”

As always, the front of a cookbook is what sets it apart from others. Phillips starts with tips for making any recipe your own and has a “bonus chapter” of sauces and spice mixes that will infuse extra flavor to any dish. They also are called for in several recipes in this book but are often hard to find in standard grocery aisles.

The general organization of the rest of the book is by place of origin of the recipes. The chapters highlight regions of the globe, such as Middle Eastern, Asian, European and Mediterranean. Within many of the recipes are stories about Phillips’ inspiration for some of the dishes, many of which are new for this book, although some have appeared on her website. The index helps the user sort out groupings of recipes for a main course, side dishes, etc.

I have traveled to many of the places Phillips taps, and she still provides many recipes I have never tried. Over time, I have come to rely on her recipes when I want something special for the table. She is always inventive and exciting, and readers will feel that as they read her book.

Allyskitchen.com is the key platform where this Phillips shares recipes, tips on lifestyle, insights on life, photography and more. Also visit http://apassportforadventurouspalates.com.

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 7:38 AM with the headline "Murrells Inlet author opens door to world cuisines in ‘Ally’s Kitchen’."