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:
Hi Jo from another Southern Alberta girl, born and raised in Calgary! I love your recipes – simple, fool proof, and most important – delicious. And the photos are exceptional. Keep up the good work – you have found your calling.
Thanks, Michele!
Jo,
I have been looking at shortbread recipes and they all call for vanilla. Why don’t you put vanilla in them? Explain why you think they are better without it?
Thank you,
Joyce
You are more than welcome to put a tsp of vanilla in your cookies. This is a classic shortbread recipe with just 3 ingredients.
Hi! I tried to subscribe to your email newsletter and got this message: Oops! It looks like there was an error: There was an error with your submission: [email protected] has been removed, and cannot be resubscribed by you. To prevent false spam complaints, they’ll need to resubscribe of their own free will.
? Can you help!? Even just adding me in on the backside? 🙁
I resent you a confirmation email, just confirm there and you should be good. If you don’t see the email check your spam folder.
I just happened to stumble across your blog while looking for a hummus recipe. I must say, I am very impressed. Your web-site is amazing and your recipes are awesome, I cannot wait to try some of them out. I am a busy working mom of five and I’ve been looking for quick, delicious recipes. I am ordering your cookbook today. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us!
Hey Donna! Welcome to my blog, so happy you stumbled upon it! Also thank you for your support in purchasing my book! Keep cooking. 🙂
Hi- I was wondering if you have a recommendation on a portable cooktop.
Right now we’re using this cooktop
Hi Jo, I am about to try your Brownie recipe but I have one doubt as to the quantities required. The metric conversion for 1/2 cup flour shows 62,5 g while for 3/4 cup of cocoa powder it gives practically the same value (64,5 g). I would have guessed that the powder and the flour would have about the same density, i.e., weight to volume but I may be wrong. I am going to use the 3/4 cup measure because, in the event of an error, I would rather have more of the choclate taste than less. Thanks, Howard Stoler on Mallorca
It should be 75g, I’ve fixed the recipe. We have a calculator but sometimes it makes mistakes too 😉 3/4 measure is what’s called for in the recipe so that will work.
I love your recipes….cannot wait to try Pecan Pie Cheesecake.
Thanks, Margaret!
Hello – I just discovered your blog not long ago, I love your recipes! I am trying as many of them as I can.
Hi Kelli!! Welcome and I’m so happy to hear this! Let me know how you like the recipes, as you try them!
We have an over-abundance of table grapes, and wanted to make a quick dessert. This recipe popped up when I searched “grape desserts” and I am so glad I tried it! My guests loved it, and so did I. I will definitely make it again. Thanks for posting it!
Vă mulțumim pentru toate rețetele minunate! Îmi place foarte mult selecția ta! In 1993 am lucrat in Bucuresti, Timosoara si Sigosoara timp de aproape 9 luni. Am fost cu OMS din Kiev-Ucraina. Bucătăria românească este una dintre preferatele mele ..!