Hazelbrook TV star Robert Murphy, has just penned his first book – a result of his popularity on two shows My Kitchen Rules and Aussie Barbecue Heroes.
The cookbook Texan BBQ by Robert Louis Murphy has more than 100 recipes from the Texan-born star of Channel Seven who learned to cook at his Breckenridge, Texas, home, seasoning rabbits he caught himself.
The 63-year-old former cowboy said it took him months to compile his favourite recipes and he’s ensured that while some smoking BBQ meals could take days to put together, there is always a quick alternative for those in a hurry.
He cooked everything in the book at his home while a photographer snapped the results.
“I had a lot of the recipes already,” he told the Gazette. “I came here 23 years ago and I couldn’t get a chicken fried steak and I couldn’t go anywhere and get any salsa and chips and I still can’t. But really I think things will change … but that’s the kind of stuff that I like and that’s the kind of stuff that’s in that cookbook.”
In 2015 Robert, and his daughter Lynzey, stole the spotlight on hit series, My Kitchen Rules. The show gave him the opportunity to share his love of Texan cooking with a wider audience and changed the life of the former TAFE teacher.
“I’m real friendly and I like to meet people so it’s real good. I feel like I have a whole lot of long lost friends.”
“I think it shows there’s always the chance for anybody to go beyond what they’re doing. After a while you just go with it.”
He said the recipes are authentic Texas-style barbecue recipes, some of which have been handed down from his cattle-ranching ancestors. It includes mouth watering traditional cowboy dishes like brisket, sticky Dr Pepper ribs, tender Texan t-bone,Texas style prime rib, lamb cutlets, slow smoked pork ribs and lime chicken as well as delicious side dishes. It also includes some family photos.
The book will be sold internationally so it has included a range of measurements “so anybody can cook with it”.
Robert is about to go on the book promotion trail but with his TV commitments on a break, he has had the chance to have a holiday road trip with his wife and do some more charity work locally.
“I did a charity cook at the Hawkesbury women’s prison and cooked three meals a day for four days about two months ago. It was pretty interesting,” he said. “One of the women said ‘I think you’re so handsome, I’ve watched all your shows’ and I said ‘You need to get out more’, he told the Gazette laughing.
He said he has sorted all his tax dramas – “I’ve got it under control” – and is open to new opportunities, even if it involves something exhausting like the TV show Dancing with The Stars.
“I told my agent I would do it, but I think they looked at me and thought it would probably kill him.”
He is planning a second book and has gathered about 40 stories from his life. “They want me to, they said you can write another book for us later, I’ve written it all down, but it’s such hard work.”
Texan BBQ by Robert Louis Murphy is published by New Holland Publishers and sells for $45. The book is available in local book stores.
