Food Adventures of a Comfort Cook

October is National Apple Month to celebrate the natural sweetness of apples. Mary Cokenour photo

Caramels and appples are a great combination

In the United States, October is designated National Apple Month. Just in case that is not good enough, October 21st is National Apple Day. Over the many years of writing this food column, I have shared many a recipe revolving around apples. Pies, cakes, donuts, cider, even as an addition to a main...

Fruit, cream, pudding, and graham crackers are the base ingredients of a delicious trifle. Mary Cokenour photo

Trifling around with a tasty recipe

Welcome Fall, and the beautiful cool weather it has brought. Soon, the leaves will be bursting with colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Whether driving into the mountains, to be up front and personal, or looking up from down below, the colors are an eye feast. This is also the time for...

Stromboli (the food) far outweighs the popularity of the movie with the same name. Mary Cokenour photo

The Stromboli Affair

Alright now, where are all the film buffs in the area? We need to travel back to the early 1950s in which a movie created a scandalous affair. Too vague for that era? Stromboli, aka Stromboli, Land of God, is a 1950 Italian-American film directed by Roberto Rossellini and starred Ingrid Bergman...

The Joseph Smith & Washboard Cookie mystery

Besides using actual cookbooks, there are often times I research recipes, and their origins, online. Alright Google, give me some interesting results for, “Utah pioneers and recipes they cooked”. First item was a blogger who referenced newspaper articles and cookbooks, gave recipes, and stated...

Featuring buttery puff pastry, sweetened cream cheese and a wonderful gaze, Cheese Danish pastry is a treat. Mary Cokenour photo

The Danes did not invent Danish

Welcome September, and the beginning of the “ber” months. This is also when home cooks and bakers begin thinking about the holidays, and what creations should come from their kitchens. I have already thought about soft, puffy pumpkin cookies loaded with white chocolate chips and chopped pecans....

Fresh food, great atmosphere, broad selection and quality ingredients are a key of The Overbite in Monticello. Mary Cokenour photo

The Overbite is just right

Here I sit, fingers playing lyrically over the keyboard, thinking about the meal we just had at the newest restaurant in Monticello. On July 20, 2023, The Over Bite made its grand debut on Pioneer Day weekend, and to say they were busy was a huge understatement. A month later, on a quiet afternoon...

A selection of some of the mouthwatering meats offered at the new Canyon Smokehouse in Bluff. Get down there and get some of that Utah-style BBQ in your belly! Mary Cokenour photo

Utah-style BBQ at Canyon Smokehouse

What happens when you take one culinary school-trained chef and add fifteen years of experience with a graduating thesis centered on smoking and barbecue? You can find the answer at the newest of Bluff’s restaurants, Canyon Smokehouse. The chef is Jacob Nelson, born on the west coast, schooled on...

The best of both worlds. When you can’t decide between a delicious Chicken Monterey and a delicious creamy mac ‘n cheese to christen your new gas range, just have both! Mary Cokenour photo

Comfort food is feel-good food of course

What exactly is comfort food? I’m not going to look up an official definition because I don’t believe there should be one. Comfort food should be exactly what it’s called – food that brings comfort. That means something different to everyone. It can represent memories from childhood, learning to...

This quiche, including fresh first-harvest squash, required a bit of juggling to create. When a stove is unavailable, you too can build your baking skills using a microwave, much to the delight of the hungry folks in your family. Mary Cokenour photo

First harvest of August and a microwave quiche

August first is known as the first of two harvests, this date chosen primarily for being between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. Lughnasadh, or Lughnasa, are the Gaelic names of this Middle Ages holiday celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Named after the god Lugh, it was...

Microwave baking can have some impressive outcomes. Mary Cokenour photo

Microwave baking, does it work?

Microwaves, for home use, became popular from the 1970s to the 1980s. At that time, they were large, bulky, heavy, and cooking food properly was hit or miss. Nowadays, they seem to be a standard in every residential home, apartment, business office, and fast-food chains. They have become more...