What you’ll find here
Fun Facts About Me
Born In Romania
Born in Romania, Transylvania to be exact and moved here when I was a child.
Meet Han Solo
We have a 3 year old Aussie Doodle and his name is Han Solo!
My Favorite Food
My favorite food is anything Italian, but most of all a good homemade lasagna.
Software Developer
In my life before blogging, my full time gig was as a Software Developer.
My Cookbooks!
Check out my two cookbooks with hundreds of easy restaurant-quality recipes perfect for busy weeknights to feed you and your family.
Reader Favorites
No Knead Bread
The easiest No Knead Bread! You guessed it, no kneading required! 4 simple ingredients, all baked in a Dutch Oven resulting in a bread that is simply perfection! Hands down the best bread you’ll ever eat!
Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
These Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls are a cinnabon copycat recipe and about the closest you’ll get to the real thing. Super easy to make.
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is a force to be reckoned with! Simple and deliciously baked chicken with a mustard, honey glaze – this dish is definitely going to be a top-contender in your weekly recipe planning!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Made You Start Your Blog?
It was actually my husband’s idea. I had a lot of recipes from my mother and mother in law on notebooks that I always lost, and whenever I needed one I could never find it. The blog was actually a means of storing my recipes so I never lose them again. This turned into a hobby, the hobby turned into a passion and the passion turned into this blog that I love. The rest is history!
How Can I Support You?
Just keep doing what you’re doing. Come visit my blog, check out my recipes and have some fun in the kitchen!
I Love Your Recipes! Do You Have A Cookbook?
Thank you! Yes, I have 2 cookbooks! You can find out more information about them and how to order them here.
I Have A Recipe Question. Can You Help?
The best way to get your question answered is to actually comment on the recipe page with your question. I try to answer all the questions myself. You could try emailing me, but sometimes emails go to spam so I might miss your emails and your questions can go unanswered.
How Do I Print A Recipe?
There is a print button at the top of each post and at the top of each recipe card.
Is Blogging Your Full Time Gig?
Yes! I’ve been blogging full time now since 2015 and I love everything about it. It’s super crazy busy at times but I love every minute of it.
I’m A New Blogger…Can You Give Me Some Advice?
My best advice to you is love what you do, and be consistent. It’s not easy and it’s not going to happen overnight, but if you keep working hard at it, it will happen.
Can I Use One Of Your Photos On My Website?
Sure, I don’t mind as long as you credit my blog.
Looking To Collaborate?
We love to partner with brands we love and that are a fit with our readers. If you’d like to work together, please contact us at info@jocooks.com.
Hi Jo! Nice to meet you. My name is also.. Jo ☺️ my husband is Cantonese and I have been looking for a good chow fun recipe all over and stumbled upon your blog. Your recipe is my favorite!! Wondering how you got into Cantonese cooking or where you learned it from! -Much love, Jo
Hi Jo! All self taught here, I love all Asian food, so years ago I started cooking it myself and have never looked back since. I learned from watching the food network, surfing the web and just a lot of trial and error. 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying the recipe. 🙂
I just came across this website on Pinterest and I find this absolutely fabulous and I haven’t even begun to explore what a pleasure it is to know that there are some Cooks out there who actually care about the actual people and what they eat and what they enjoy.
Hello! I’m over the moon to hear that you’ve found Jo Cooks and that you’re excited to explore the recipes. It’s absolutely true, the joy of cooking isn’t just about the food, but the people we share it with. It’s all about creating dishes that not only nourish our bodies, but also bring joy to our tables. I aim to create recipes that are accessible, enjoyable, and delicious, so it’s fantastic to hear that you appreciate this approach. Thank you so much for your kind words, and I hope you find many recipes here that you and your loved ones will enjoy. Happy cooking!
Recently bought an Air Fryer and am thoroughly enjoying it at age 90. Will you be publishing recipes, etc for this very popular Kitchen Appliance?
Hello! I’m absolutely delighted to hear that you’re exploring the world of air frying at 90, that’s fantastic! You’re absolutely right, air fryers have become quite the popular kitchen gadget. I do indeed have recipes tailored specifically for the air fryer. You can find all of them in my Air Fryer category. I hope you find these recipes helpful and delicious. Enjoy your culinary adventures with your new air fryer! 😊
Balsamic Pork Scallopini Over Creamy Noodles…bought ingredients on Sunday but the recipe is no longer available. What happened?
I had deleted a long time ago, but I brought it back since you’re asking for it. Here you go: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/balsamic-pork-scallopini/
Thank you very much for responding. This definitely won’t be your only recipe I try. So many of them look great.
Love your garlic and paprika chicken but we could do with more sauce should I just double it
For sure, maybe even add some chicken broth if you don’t want to double the oil.
Hi Jo, I loved your recipe for mushroom and sausage mini breakfast quiches but it has disappeared! Any chance of it coming back? Thanks.
Hi there! Yep, I’ll have a new recipe later this year for them. 🙂
Is it ok to use buttermilk in your easy Texas Sheet Cake?
Yes you can!
Your 2 ingredient lemon bars are similar to a recipe found in my sisters 93 year old MIL’s recipe file when cleaning out her home for sale. She also used cool whip with 1/2 can of lemon pudding or pie filling mixed in as a topping—so delicious.
Have been waiting an hour for No Knead Cinnamon Raisin Bread to cool so I can taste. It was worth the wait. Most delicious No Knead bread yet. I will share this bread if it does not disappear before someone crosses my threshold! Thank you for the recipe!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Can you use bread machine instant yeast for your no-knead bread recipes?
You can, but if you do you won’t need to rise the bread for so long, just keep an eye on it and when it’s doubled you can bake it.
New to your blog and looking forward to learning and enjoying!
Hi Jo, I love your recipes! We make at least one a week, many times more. Quick question… When I was a kid (more than 30 years ago) my grandpa used to make an okra dish with a spicy red sauce over rice. I know he used a whole habanero to flavor the sauce, and his typical recipe influences were Mediterranean, Indian, African, Asian, South American, and anything else really spicy or strange. I’ve been trying to recreate the dish, as he’s been gone for 20 years and never wrote it down anywhere, but I can’t seem to find any recipes that turn out exactly right. I’ve tried making an Indian dish with okra in a spicy tomato sauce that was close, but not quite it. I’ve also looked at some recipes for various African stews, but nothing has made me say Eureka yet. Do you have any ideas from your background of what it might be or what I could try next? You have such a vast knowledge of ethnic cuisines, I thought if anyone would know it would be you. Thank you, Bee
Hi Bee! Unfortunately, no, I was never a big fan of okra, and can honestly say my mom never cooked with it. But I’m glad you’re enjoying my recipes.
Love your site! Have you ever done West African Peanut Stew?
Thank you, happy to hear it. The only African type stew I have is this: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/east-african-braised-chicken/
You mentioned Baked Shrimp with the Fettucine Alfredo recipe. I am curious what your baked shrimp includes?
The recipe was actually linked, here you go: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/oven-baked-shrimp/
I have been following you on Instagram for some time and today came across the Romanian Meatball Soup. My parents were from Transylvania, too! Siebenburger Sachsen. My mother and grandmother made LOTS of soup, especially sour soups, and this was a favorite. I’m so glad you posted the link for the dried lovage! The flavor is so distinct, it makes the soup. Can’t wait to make it!!
Yes, it’s definitely a unique herb that has such a great flavor. Let me know how you like the soup!