Last updated on March 27th, 2018 at 02:58 pm
Hey there! I’m Joanna Cismaru, Jo for short, and I am the brains behind my food blog Jo Cooks. I’m a writer, photographer, cookbook author and most importantly, I’m the cook that prepares all these scrumptious recipes that you can find here. My husband Remo, is the other force behind this blog. He’s the taste tester, IT genius, accountant extraordinaire and last but not least, my biggest supporter and pillar of strength.
We also have a new pup, a Blue Merle Australian Shepherd and his name is Indiana Jones. He’s the cutest dog alive, yes I know I’m biased, and he’s super active and keeps us laughing all day long. Many times you’ll see me share pictures of him and his shenanigans. I also have a personal assistant, Nicole who is amazing and loves food as much as I do. Together we make up the Jo Cooks team.
As long as I can remember I’ve always loved to cook and putz around in the kitchen. I’m seriously passionate about food and I do consider myself a foodie! I love all food and I will always try everything at least once, well maybe except bugs. I won’t try bugs and cats or dogs! But everything else goes.
I am totally self-taught and have no formal culinary training but I have been cooking for over 20 years. I’ve learned from my mistakes because there have been mess-ups in the kitchen, but I think that’s what makes us stronger and better at what we do. I love Julia Child’s style of cooking but I love to simplify meals, so that they are more attainable for the everyday cook.
MY PREVIOUS CAREER
In my previous career, I worked in the IT world doing software development, and while I enjoyed it, it was quite stressful. To relieve some of that stress, I always turned to cooking and baking, thus discovering my latest passion, and so this new “so-called” career evolved.
Lemon Chicken Piccata – a simple yet super impressive chicken piccata in a tasty lemon, butter and capers sauce. Perfect with pasta for a quick and delicious dinner.
WHAT THE BLOG IS ABOUT
People ask me all the time, what sort of food I cook and blog about. The truth is, everything. I cook anything and everything, and well, we eat everything, and if my husband and I can’t eat everything, there are plenty of friends, family or neighbors who love to help us out. I, most of all, love simple recipes with few everyday ingredients that you can either find in your pantry, or are easy to find at your local grocery store.
I am totally self-taught when it comes to cooking, though I have to thank my mom for teaching me the basics. I must say that I enjoy baking more than cooking so you will find quite a few baking recipes here. While I’m not a fancy baker I do love my breads and rolls and the occasional cake or pastry.
I was born in Romania, Transylvania to be exact. My family moved here when I was just a child. While I can honestly say I’ve never met a vampire, I do love my garlic. Here you will also find some of my favorite Romanian recipes that have been passed down to me from my mom and mother in law.
MY COOKBOOK
If you love my recipes and would like more of my creations, you can find my cookbook 30 Minute One Pot Meals available to order.
You can order my “30-Minute One-Pot Meals” book at:
I had to share this comment with you. My 87 year old mothe- in-law is putting together a list of recipes for her family. It is not a list of her “cookbook”, but rather some of her favorite dishes to eat. On a vist last year, I made the Jacked-Up Chicken Scampi. She loved it so much, it is going in the book for the family. Great recipe that brings a smile to my familiy’s face when I make it, and now will live on in her book.
Thanks for the great choices for quick and easy family meals and keep ’em coming.
Aww that is so sweet! Thank you so much for letting us know. Those fast dinners are our fave as well!
I have a question regarding the salted caramel you used in your recipe for Mini Salted Caramel Cheesecakes. Is this the caramels individually wrapped in cellophane, or something different? I am thinking about making these, but I wanted to check on this. Thank you.
Yes! The ones I bought were individually wrapped. However, I know that some stores carry salted caramel in jars too.
I wou!d love to try some of your recipes.
Which ones would you like to try?
Hello Joana! PLEASE PLEASE put up a recipe of Placinte Poale-n brau cu branza dulce si stafide!!!! I just recently married a Romanian and I can’t get enough of their delicious food!!! Thanks so very much!!
Hi there! I already have it, here you go: https://www.jocooks.com/baking/pastries/sweet-cheese-and-raisin-pastries-poale-n-brau/
Jo, I do not own a tablet. Therefore I must print the recipes. For some reason I cannot print the second page of the Lemon Yogurt Cake, Why?
Both pages for the lemon yogurt cake are printing perfectly on our computers here, it may be an issue with either your printer or computer.
Do you know if there is anyway to make the no-knead skillet bread gluten free. It looks so good
Hi Karen! We’re working on developing a delicious gluten free version of the no-knead bread.
My guy and I were wandering about Cost Plus World Market this afternoon. After selecting (I kid you not) a unicorn puppet for my sister-in law, he spotted your book from a distance and before I knew it, we had spent 20 minutes perusing your recipes. It’s as if this book was written for us and there was no way we were leaving the store without it. We mentioned our excitement about your book to the very nice cashier as we were checking out and she said, “Well, I know how I’m spending my break this afternoon!”
Very nicely done, Jo and team! Your recipes look wonderful and the photography is outstanding. Our biggest challenge this evening is deciding which recipe we’ll make first. 😉
Wow, thank you so much! You have to let us know what you try out and which recipes are your favorite 🙂 Happy coking to you two!
I’m loving your blog and fab recipes. BTW I’ve owned 3 blue merles Aussies…best dogs ever.
Awww aren’t the just amazing? Indy is the best part of every day! We’re so glad you love the blog 🙂
Hello JoJo. How would you adjust the carrot cake for high altitude? Thanks.
Check out this article for high altitude baking! This should help.
Please sign me up for your recipes and thanks for sharing! Happy New Year!
Hi Denis, you’re all signed up! Check your email for a confirmation, and click the link in the email to confirm.