Food Adventures of a Comfort Cook

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

Is your Torrone mood duro or morbido?

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,...

Though there are many varieties and substitutions, when it comes to pure comfort food, the mixture of baked potatoes, meat, and vegetables that make up a traditional Shepherd’s Pie is definitely a must-have. Mary Cokenour photo

Traditional British pub food

The title of this article isn’t 100 percent correct. The word “traditional” is geared to the foods that are well known for that part of the United Kingdom. Also, you have to take into account that other countries influence each other. Folks in England didn’t stay put, nor did they in Scotland,...

There are a variety of delicious Mexican sandwiches. Courtesy photo

Mexico does sandwiches, who knew?

Inspiration for my culinary articles can come from the simplest of places: a novel, television show, movie, anime series, manga series, even commercial ads while playing a game on a cellphone. Recently, an ad for “Get Your Guide” popped up and it was about Mexico. Set the scene: Woman on an...

If you’re in the mood for a Japanese sweet treat or two, pick up Sweet and Easy Japanese Desserts by Laure Kie. There are numerous recipes contained inside to help you try your hand at some Japanese baking. Courtesy photo

Reviewing Japanese desserts

It has been a long while since I’ve attempted a book review of any type. Usually, if I’m interested in a book of any genre I will read the reviews already written. Depending on the amount, most either regurgitate reviews from the back of the book or simply say, “I liked it” or “I didn’t like it or...

It’s tough to not want some more: This collection is full of chocolaty goodness. S’mores Brownies (top right) are a great way to collect all the flavors of a S’more in one convenient square, but there are also Eatz Fudge Marshmallow Chocolate Cookies (top left) and of course, traditional S’mores cooked over the campfire. Mary Cokenour photo

Time to say some more to S’mores

Did you ever read one of those survey questions that asked, “How old were you when you found out about ______?” Well, here’s one for me: “How old were you when you had your first s’mores?” I was 52 years old at a cookout at a friend’s home. After the main meal they called the children together and...

A sophisticated date night: shrimp, crab cocktails, crackers with goat cheese, honey and walnuts. Mary Cokenour photo

Edible cocktail created by Prohibition

Once again, we are going back in time to the Prohibition Era (1920-1933) and the banning of alcohol throughout the United States. While most legitimate restaurants and bars were suffering the loss of income, illegal bars, called speakeasies, offered clientele liquored drinks and food. Speakeasies...

Smash Burgers are back in vogue, with science showing why they may have more flavor and weight than thick hamburgers. Mary Cokenour photo

Old burgers are new again

“Don’t throw the past away. You might need it some rainy day. Dreams can come true again. When everything old is new again.” Everything Old Is New Again Peter Allen - 1974 Another “new” trend seems to have hit the culinary world, smashed burgers. Sorry to burst the bubbles of those who love to...

Adventuring for More Bite

Back on April 27, 2022, I gave you a recipe for Garlic Chicken with Soba Noodles and it is a fantastically good dish. As with many recipes, including my own, I like to play with the ingredients; perhaps improving further, perhaps not. That’s the adventure, and honestly, do we really want to be...

The easy creamy smothered baked tasy casserole, AKA pork chops, mushrooms, and potato casserole. Either way, it’s an easy, tasty comfort food. Mary Cokenour photo

Short title long: The easy creamy smothered baked tasty casserole

In the past weeks I have seen repeatedly posted a recipe for Pork Chop and Potato Casserole featuring Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup. Usually, it is a photo of the completed dish with ingredients listed, just the names, not the amounts, and “Click on this link for full recipe.” Clink on the link...

Blackberry Coconut Pound Cake. Mary Cokenour photo

Back in black... berry that is

While none of the lyrics apply to the next recipe I will be sharing, getting to, at least, mention a title of an AC/DC song perks me up. This recipe will be the one I mentioned in April, when Blackberry Tarts was the main feature. Blackberry Coconut Pound Cake is not exactly what might be found on...