Food Adventures of a Comfort Cook

Deep Fried Zucchini. Mary Coukenour photo
On August 10, 1848, the Mormon pioneers that had traveled to Utah, celebrated their first season’s harvest. Remember, when they entered Utah in 1847, all they had, in provisions and livestock, was what was in their handcarts and ox-drawn wagons. They had to make it through a harsh winter with what...
The Opera House – akaYoung’s Theatre and Young Show Hall – is scheduled to be demolished, but it holds much history and nostalgia for many.  Mary Cokenour photo
The Opera House – aka Young’s Theatre – has a history rich in entertainment. Originally built in 1907, it was a community center for Monticellians to play basketball, put on plays, hold dances, or watch movies (silent ones of course). In 1918 a severe snowstorm dumped so much upon the building’s...
Tasty Amish cinnamon bread.  Mary Cokenour photo
Alright, fans of the 1960s television series, Time Tunnel, and the ever-popular English series, Doctor Who; we are going time traveling! So, whether it’s by tunnel or TARDIS, set your time/location devices to September 1898, Monticello, Utah, corner of 100 South and 300 East….and away we go. (...
A legend or tale of truth? It is said that this notch is where the Birthday Cake sandstone formation originated, kicked from this ridge by angry Coyote.  Mary Cokenour photo
August seemed to be a month where the spirits of San Juan County influenced my writing. For example, the article I just wrote on Three Sisters Stew; research on Paiute and Ute foods began at the beginning of the month. Just as I thought I had a handle on a particular item, something stayed my hand...
Three Sisters Stew with fried flounder.  Mary Cokenour photo
The end of August is almost here, and we are never too sure what the weather for September and October will be bringing to us. Anyone home gardening should be considering what to harvest now, and what can wait a bit longer. Our summer has not been overly heated, but we never did get our annual...
Lamb Stew with Rosemary.  Courtesy photo
My friend, Marsha Birch Frank, in Minnesota, and I were discussing recipes and she sends me a recipe calling it “meatloaf”. Now I was thinking about making meatloaf, so that’s funny right there that she gives me her recipe. Well, the story gets funnier. I follow all her directions, but for the...
Did you know? Meatballs aren’t only Italian. Sometimes they speak Spanish. And who doesn’t love some tasty meatballs?  Mary Cokenour photo
“Into the great wide open . . . Under them skies of blue . . . Out in the great wide open . . . A rebel without a clue” Into the Great Wide Open, by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1991 Since around June, hubby and I have taken short riding trips, with our dog, just to get away from the town....
Get in touch with your Italian side by cooking up your own batch of carbonara for your next meal. You won’t be disappointed if you like a tasty pasta.  Mary Cokenour photo
When making new adventure discoveries, whether in food, travel or both combined, I try to find a direct link to a name. Take, for example, the April 25, 2018 article on “Spaghetti alla Puttanesca and Lone Rock in the Kane Creek Canyon Rim”. Lone Rock, aka Prostitute Butte, and puttanesca loosely...
You can once again come enjoy a nice sandwich with all the fixins at The Over Bite in Monticello thanks to new owners Shylowe and Patrick Chadd.  Mary Cokenour photo
Due to demands of full-time jobs away from The Over Bite in Monticello, the former owners were forced to say goodbye to their dream child. Fortunately, this provided an opportunity for Shylowe and Patrick Chadd who were seeking a new financial venture. So when opportunity came a-knockin’ they...
Torrone is a favorite Italian candy that’s sold at feasts, given out at weddings, and packed into Christmas stockings. The candy can be hard (duro) or soft (morbido) depending on the proportion of ingredients and cooking process.  Mary Cokenour photo
One of the great advantages of being raised in an Italian/Croatian neighborhood is not just experiencing two cultures, but sampling the variety of foods. Not everyone has the financial benefit of being able to travel the world to experience what each country has to offer visitors. However,...

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