ABOUT JO COOKS
Welcome to Jo Cooks where you’ll find delicious, tried-and-tested recipes for every occasion made with every day ingredients! They all come complete with step-by-step photo tutorials, videos and detailed instructions, all to help you succeed in your kitchen.
Jo Cooks has been around since 2011 and it started out as a place for me to store my recipes that I’ve collected over the years from friends and family. Here you’ll find hundreds and hundreds of delicious recipes, so make sure to check out the Recipes section and browse all your favorites!
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 neighbours 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.
ABOUT JO
My name 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.
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.
FUN FACTS
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 husband and I met online back in the 90s when online dating wasn’t even a thing. 18 years later we’re still happily married and together we’ve made all our dreams come true.
My all time favorite food is anything Italian like lasagna, pizza, any kind of pasta and bacon!
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:
J Bob says
Girlfriend! I am so glad I found this. Gonna bake a batch today (Hmmm guess that’s tonight). I too am retired IT (100 years ago, working my way through college washing dishes in a restaurant on weekends I got my intro to baking: head chef calls me and says get in here. Baker’s out sick, you’re gonna bake.. I said “but I don’t know anything about baking”. He said “It’s so simple.. when it’s brown it’s done, when it’s black you’re done, now get in here”. Looking forward to this and all your recipes! J Bob, Veracruz
Luane Gabuzzi says
We loved your instant pot chicken noodle soup. I read where someone suggested using Better than Bouillon. If you add 1 or 2T would you still add normal amount of chicken broth? Thanks!
Jo Cooks Team says
It depends! If you’re looking for a really intense chicken flavor then yes, use the same amount of broth. If not, then substitute with water.
Matt says
Hi Joanna I was wondering what enchilada sauce you used or did you make your own?
Jo Cooks Team says
Which recipe are you referring to?
For homemade enchilada sauce you can use this: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/enchilada-sauce/
Matt says
I am talking about for Cheesy Taco Pasta.
Jo Cooks Team says
We used store-bought enchilada sauce for that one 🙂
Matt says
Thank you Jo. I very much appreciate your help.
Hartley Hubbard says
Hi Jo…fantastic site! Glad to find it! Look forward to enjoying your recipes, and how i can learn from you – the Lord bless you and your husband. And great looking dog too! Hartley. Irvine, CA
jo says
Thank you, Hartley! 🙂 Let me know how the recipes turn out for you as you try them.
Sharon L says
love all the recipes. Keep up the good work.
Teammate from the past!
jo says
Thanks! 😉
Nancy Mirabelli says
Dear Jo,
Just wanted to reach out and say thank you for all your amazing recipes. I found you online about 8 months ago and you had me hooked on your no knead bread and cinnamon bun recipes just to name a few. I bought my Dutch oven because of your recipes and have used my pot SO much. Having been retired for 3 years now, I totally have so much time to cook/bake for my husband (and children when they come to visit) and have referred to your recipes many times. Thanks again Jo.
jo says
Hi Nancy! It makes me real happy to hear this. I’m so happy you’re cooking more and glad you’re enjoying my recipes. Keep on cooking!
Carmen Soucie says
Hi Jo, I am Romanian as well. My moms family is from Transylvania but my dad’s family is from Radu Voda. I love your recipes!! 😃
jo says
Thank you! Hope you try all my Romanian recipes and let me know how you like them. 🙂
Anne says
Brand new here but I can’t wait to try your recipes. Everything looks so creative and delicious.
jo says
Thank you! Let me know how you like the recipes as you try them!
Elizabeth Mehrmann says
You make me brave enough to try these things!
jo says
You can do it! I’d love to hear from you as you try my recipes. 🙂
Bobby Behr says
Jo I am the assistant director of a career school where we have a culinary class. We are starting Baking and Pastry this year and the first thing I did was look up a yeast roll recipe. I went to your blog and printed the Texas Road House Yeast Roll Recipe. I gave it to my instructor who will prepare it in a week or so when the kids get here. I am looking forward to seeing what other recipes we can use of yours in out class.
Phillipa Muderede says
Excellent recipes love your recipes.
Alex Horvath says
I just wanted to say that I subscribe to many cooking blogs, but I consistently make more of your recipes than from any other website. Thank you for all of your efforts, they are much appreciated!
Joanna Cismaru says
Thank you!! I really appreciate it!!
Donald Houston says
To say that your recipes are eagerly awaited is the truth. I have worked in Your native land. I enjoyed the cuisines of Romania as much as I enjoy your recipes here. Keep them coming…!
Sharon says
Joanne, I follow you on Pinterest and have made many of your recipes. I also appreciate that you include the nutrition info on each recipe. I am on a diet that requires me to keep track of my calorie intake.
Can you tell me what nutrition calculator you use to determine the calories in your recipes. I have tried several but they all are lacking in some way.
Thank you in advance for this info.
Joanna Cismaru says
Hi Sharon, The nutrition calculator is built into the recipe card plugin which integrates into the spoonacular API.
Simona says
I’ve always loved recipes you have made for a few years now! Created many family favorites using your recipes. Never thought to look at your profile until today. And now I know why I’m always drawn to your blog…. cel mai bună mâncare vin de la români!!! Haha
Joanna Cismaru says
Ha! Love it!
Caprice says
Honestly one of the BEST recipe blogs ever! Every email I get I am intrigued and must click and check out the recipe. I have made several recipes and they are all good!! Keep up the great work 🙂
Joanna Cismaru says
Thank you so much, Caprice! I really appreciate your comment!
Kenneth Silver says
Hi Jo,
Love many of your recipes & have printed off many that my wife & I have used.
I was curious regarding your Morrocan chicken recipe – what size tagine did you use for the recipe, as I have been wanting to buy one for many years ?
Thanks.
Joanna Cismaru says
Thanks, Kenneth! The tagine I have is a 2 1/2 quart tagine! Here’s the amazon link: https://amzn.to/2ldRUZ0
Jan says
Trying your Butter Chicken recipe for an informal party. How long is it safe to keep on the “Keep Warm” setting so people can help themselves right from the Instant Pot. Thanks.
Joanna Cismaru says
Hi Jan! I’m not 100% sure on this, but I believe it should be fine for 2 to 4 hours as long as the keep warm setting is on.