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:
Ioana says
So happy to have stumbled upon your blog. It feels like home, in my little kitchen.
As things are going these days, I’ll take upon trying as many recipes as I can!
Salutari din Brasov!
jo says
Hi Ioana! Keep cooking and stay safe! 🙂
Dallas Kenny says
Dear Mrs Cismaru
I have been following you now for some time, and your recipes are awesome. So very few have left me disappointed, and some I have blamed on myself for not having followed your instructions carefully enough.
Thank you for your hard work and the education you have shared with all of us. Many blessings to you and your family.
jo says
Thank you, Dallas! I really appreciate your comment. Keep cooking, stay healthy and stay safe!
Don Barar says
Hi Jo,
I am seeking a recipe for plachintas. I am a Romanian and my grandmother made these. My favorite had a filling which she called weed. When I think back on this it makes me laugh. What she called weed was actually dill. There are some recipes on-line. But somehow, with you being a Romanian, yours is more likely to be what I recall growing up. BTW. You recipes are excellent. My favorite is the Shrimp Coconut Curry. Sincerely, Don
jo says
Ha! The closest I have are these two recipes:
https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/savory-cheese-pie-placinta-cu-branza/
https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/feta-fry-bread/
Both of them are with cheese but many times lots of dill is added to the cheese mixture. Hope this helps.
Don Barar says
Thank you Jo.
Anda says
I believe he refers to langos. it is the only “romanian”…ish placinta I know with dill….
jo says
Yeah, I linked to it. 🙂
Adina says
Tocmai am incercat o reteta de-a ta si mare surpriza cand vad ca si tu esti ardeleanca! Ai un blog foarte fain, o sa mai trec sa incerc si altele. Keep up the good job!
jo says
Thanks, Adina!
Butterfly says
I made the Agilio de Olio Pasta recipe for dinner – without a doubt – the best ever.
Laurie McManis says
I’m interested in your recipe for Savory Cheese Pie, as my boyfriend is Romanian. I’m confused about the instructions to roll up the pastry. The photos of the cut pieces don’t look rolled. Do you have a photo of the individual pastry sheets after being filled and rolled? I don’t want to mess this up! My man has been telling me about this treat from his youth in Moldova. Please help. Thank you.
Jo Cooks Team says
It is rolled! It’s hard to see because it’s very light in color, but if you look close, you can see the dough rolled in the cheese mixture.
Laurie McManis says
Thank you. I’ll give it a go!
Zohra says
Thank you so much for the cinnamon rolls recipe it s been a long time that I wanted to do it by myself I love cinnamon rolls so much I m french and here we have not cinnabon I ate it for the first (and the only) time when I was in Asia it was a great experience and your recipe is great too thank now you have an another fan in France hundred billions thanks 😊
Jo Cooks Team says
That’s so wonderful to hear! Cinnamon rolls are the best treat 🙂
Jeannine Dahl says
A wonderful delicious simple soup that my 6 year old and 11 year old make with me all the time 🥰🥰🥰
Laura Guthrie says
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup – help with doing in crockpot. I do many crockpot soup, casserole, etc. recipes, using cheddar or mozzarella cheeses, and can put all ingredients with cheeses in crockpot to cook 4 hours on high with no curdling, but not used cream cheese. Can I do same but with cream cheese? Rather not have to add meat end of cooking. Thanks.
Jo Cooks Team says
Yes you can do the same with cream cheese! It’ll turn out great.
Jane says
The comments were all so good that I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Linda Sparavec says
You gave a recipe for Lasagna Soup…recipe looked amazing, you mentioned broth but not the amount of broth to put into the soup. If you would advise that would be great.
Jo Cooks Team 2 says
Hi Linda! The exact ingredient amounts are on the recipe card at the bottom of the page 🙂 For this recipe I used 8 cups of low sodium chicken broth!
Rachel Johnson says
I notice you use honey in your recipes, Is there any thing that can be used in place of honey? I can’t have honey due to and allergy to bees
Jo Cooks Team says
Agave can be used cup-for-cup instead.
Barbara from Atlanta. Lucky husband and friends being your tester! says
All your dishes are my favorites, look so delicious. I suffered a stroke affecting left side and left brain. My sweet hubby now is the cookie go getter. Afraid for me to get near stove. Sad because like you it was my release and I was always busy trying new dishes. You enjoy and I will enjoy gazing at your gorgeous dishes and dreaming!
jo says
Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know. It really means a lot to me to hear from you and how much you enjoy my recipes. I wish you lots of health and happiness.
Joan De Costa says
I am looking for a Filo Dough Recipe to make Spinach Pies. Any on hand?
Jo Cooks Team says
We don’t, but you can find a recipe for filo here
Judy Berry says
Plan to make your ham and cheese gnocchi soon. It sounds wonderful.
Kara Burnstine says
Hi Jo-just a shout out to let you know first I read some of your recipes and thought they looked great. I was looking for healthy superbowl ideas for my newsletter (I am a registered dietitian) and I came across your website. I am looking forward to trying and adding your shrimp salsa recipe to my newsletter. I then read about you and think it’s so great when people find a way to make a living out of what they are passionate about. I am 2 years into my practice trying to make a living out of my passion for helping people take the stress out of eating healthy. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it! So nice to see success stories like yours, as it keeps me motivated when I lose the mojo sometimes.
jo says
Thank you so much! I love hearing this and if I can inspire just one person, then my job is done. I truly believe in doing something you’re passionate about, life is too short not to have fun and enjoying what you’re doing. I wish you luck in your career!
Ann Perry says
I am overwhelmed by your eye candy. The recipes are spot on-the photos and videos are absolutely stunning. I am sooooo happy I discovered this blog. Thank You. Keep it up!
jo says
Thank you so much!!!
Ruth Rowe says
I tried your IP Mongolian Beef recipe, and the sauce is delicious; however, I kept getting the Burn notice. Has this happened before? Any suggestions?
Jo Cooks Team says
We’ve never had that issue! You can try adding a bit more liquid, or refer to the owner’s manual.
Cheryl Wade says
I just had to compliment you on the very best cooking website I have ever seen. I am on the email list of about twelve sites so I feel that I know what I am talking about. Thank you for all you do and for all you share.
Jo Cooks Team says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! That’s a wonderful compliment. Happy cooking to you 🙂
Sarah chongo says
I love everything 😘
Stephanie Syfert says
Hi Jo, I have made 7 of the recipes from your book and each one was delicious and super easy!! I began hunting for more books by you and stumbled onto this blog. You certainly have a taste for food. I got a Dutch Oven for Christmas and began hunting for a cookbook to help me cook with it. Yours was one of several I picked up. Hands down your book was the best. I have bookmarked several more recipes to try and can’t wait! I’m so glad to now have found your website also!
jo says
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying my recipes! Keep on cooking!