Embark on a mouth-watering journey across Missouri and discover the best comfort food in St. Louis.
Reedy Press is pleased to announce the release of our newest local interest book, Missouri Comfort, by Mathew Unger and Porsche Moran Murphy. Dismissing Missouri as a flyover state overlooks its hidden gems, especially when it comes to food. Sure, burnt ends and toasted ravioli hold a special place in our hearts, but they merely scratch the surface of the Show Me State’s vibrant culinary landscape.
Here, fine dining rubs elbows with casual comfort food, farm-fresh ingredients find their way onto gourmet plates, global influences add a vibrant spice to the mix, and our wines, craft brews, and spirits make perfect pairings. Whether you’re a lifelong Missourian or just passing through, the pages of the Missouri Comfort cookbook will inspire you to try new things in your kitchen, dive deeper into the state’s food culture, and hit the road to sample the best of what Missouri offers in every region.
Discover the significant food contributions of Native Americans, enslaved people of African descent, and immigrants from France, Germany, and Ireland. Dig into soulful country dishes, juicy steaks and pork chops, Cajun and Creole delights, and Missouri specialties like Springfield’s cashew chicken, St. Louis’ gooey butter cake, and, of course, all-things barbecue, honoring our variety of styles from Kansas City to St. Louis and in the Ozarks.
Seasoned cooks and beginners are invited to join Chef Matthew Unger and travel and food writer Porcshe Moran Murphy on a delicious statewide adventure filled with recipes, stories, and recommendations for top places to eat and drink. This appetizing exploration traverses history and the present day, from bustling urban centers and energetic college towns to charming villages and everywhere in between.
Missouri Comfort: Recipes, Places, and Food Traditions in the Show-Me State is available wherever books are sold.
Please contact Marla Stoker Ballenger at marla@marqueemediastl.com to arrange an interview or appearance.
Book Details: Missouri Comfort, by Mathew Unger and Porsche Moran Murphy, ISBN: 9781681065540, hardcover, 8.5 x 9, 144 pages, $32.50
About the Authors
Mathew’s love of food and cooking started at the age of 9 after taking a cooking class from the Sisters of Notre Dame. Mathew received his BA in business from Missouri State University in Springfield, and, after spending a few years as a stockbroker, he decided to turn his passion for food into a career. He’s taught culinary classes, worked in kitchens at local restaurants, and owned and operated his own restaurant, Mathew’s Kitchen. Mathew is currently the Director of Foodservice at Midwest Petroleum, and develops programs for convenience stores throughout Missouri and Illinois. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, Maggie, and their two children.
Porcshe Moran Murphy is a marketing and communications professional based in central Missouri. She creates digital and print content for global and regional brands, covering food and drink, travel, home design, healthcare technology, and business. Porcshe holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband Patrick and their furkids (dogs Lily and Daisy and cat Captain Oliver) and close friends and family. Her hobbies include traveling, reading mystery and thriller novels, attending arts and culture events, and exploring restaurants, wineries, state parks, and museums.
Author Contact:
Mathew Unger, mathewskitchen@gmail.com
Porsche Moran Murphy, porcshe.moran@gmail.com
Scheduled Events for Missouri Comfort:
It is advisable to check with the event venue for confirmation a few days ahead of a book signing or presentation.
Book Signing
Thursday, September 26, from 6 – 8 p.m.
Rockwell Beer Garden
5300 Donovan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
(314) 788-4849
Book Signing
Friday, October 4, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Favazza’s on The Hill
5201 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 772-4454
Free and open to the public
Book Signing
Saturday, October 12, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
LeGrand’s Market and Catering
4414 Donovan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
(314) 353-6128
Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing
Thursday, October 17, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Missouri River Regional Library
214 Adams St, Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2464
Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing
Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Kitchen Conservatory
9011 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63144
(314) 862-2665
Open to the public (ticketed; admission fee)
Book Signing
Saturday, November 2, from 11:00 – 2:20 p.m.
Grace Meat + 3
4270 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 533-2700
Free and open to the public
Presentation and Book Signing
Friday, November 15, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Bartolino’s Osteria
2103 Sulphur Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 644-2266
Open to the public (ticketed; admission fee)
TALKING POINTS FROM THE BOOK:
What can people expect from Missouri Comfort?
The book includes nearly 70 recipes spanning homegrown ingredients, French/Cajun/Creole, German, Italian, and Irish specialties, barbecue, beef and pork, down home country cooking, and Missouri originals. The book also offers a high-level overview of the state’s rich food and drink history and current day happenings while celebrating our exciting culinary future and highlighting some of the best eateries to try in every region. Our hope is that Missouri Comfort is a jumping off point for readers to dive deeper into all-things Missouri food. We want people to walk away inspired to try new foods at home and to get out and explore the many excellent eateries, wineries, distilleries, and breweries the Show-Me-State has to offer.
What was the process for writing this book?
My professional background is in lifestyle journalism. I’ve been writing about food and drink in Missouri for nearly two decades. Josh Stevens, the owner of Reedy Press, and Chef Mathew Unger had the idea for a Missouri-focused cookbook. After they read a feature I wrote about butcher shops for Missouri Life magazine, they reached out and asked me to join the project to write short pieces on various aspects of Missouri’s culinary culture to accompany Chef Unger’s recipes.
Who is the target audience for Missouri Comfort?
The book is for anyone who likes food (cooking it, eating it, or both!), travel, and history. There are tasty recipes for both novice and more experienced cooks to try at home and plenty of ideas for where to go if you want to hit the road and discover all the wonderful eats and drinks available across Missouri.
What are some of your most noteworthy food experiences in Missouri?
As a lifestyle journalist, I’ve had the privilege of getting paid to travel around Missouri to research and write about food and drinks for various publications, so I’ve had many amazing foodie experiences. Hermann is one of my favorite places to go. I’ve taken a sausage making class at the Hermann Wurst Haus and I enjoy the city’s wine trail events where you can ride a trolley to the various wineries and get food and wine pairings based around a theme. For barbecue, Joe’s in Kansas City is at the top of my list, and I like Sweet Smoke BBQ in Jefferson City. There’s also renowned options in St. Louis like Pappy’s, Bogart’s, and Dalie’s. My family has roots in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, so I’m always looking for Missouri eateries that serve the southern soul food and Creole dishes that I grew up eating. Broussard’s in Cape Girardeau, Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company and Papadoo’s in Columbia, and Mudbug Cajun Po’Boys in Kansas City are some of the places that standout to me. The fried chicken and waffles at Rothschild’s Family Restaurant in Washington are the best I’ve ever had.
For a unique food experience, I’d highly recommend getting a seat at a dinner series event. They are held all over Missouri at restaurants, farms, wineries, botanical gardens, etc. These intimate gatherings feature a special menu created just for the event. You get to meet other like-minded foodies while sharing a multi-course meal with each dish presented to you by the chef. I’ve gone to events like these at Pasta La Fata in Columbia, Green Dirt Farm in Weston, Blue Bell Farm in Fayette, and Table Ocho in Kansas City. Each one has been a one-of-a-kind experience with stellar food and great people.
What are your favorite recipes in the book?
Chef Unger prepared his sour cream cucumber salad, steakhouse smash burger, bacon jam, grilled Caesar salad, and pork steaks for a tasting, and they were all incredible! Some of the recipes I’m looking forward to making in my own kitchen are the bourbon bread pudding, the corned beef and grilled cabbage, the candied walnuts, and the pan-fried morels.
What were some of the highlights of working on this book?
I was thrilled to see all the national recognition Missouri’s food scene has received in recent years, such as Yoli Tortilleria in Kansas City winning the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakeryand St. Louis being named the “next great food city” by Food & Wine readers. I enjoyed learning the history behind some of Missouri’s originals like gooey butter cake, toasted ravioli, and cashew chicken. I was grateful to have the opportunity to put a spotlight on some of the culinary contributions of Indigenous peoples, enslaved Africans, and African Americans. It was also exciting to realize that we have so many opportunities, in our big cities and small towns, to try authentic cuisine from all over the globe. My biggest takeaway is that a single book is not enough space to fully capture all the wonderful places to eat and drink in Missouri, which is not a bad problem to have!
Marla Stoker Ballenger
Marquee Media PR
314-973-5525
Biz Hours: M-F 8-4
#MissouriFoodAdventure #ComfortFoodTour #StLouisEats
