Hi, I’m Jen and I live in Carlsbad, California (north San Diego), with my husband, Patrick, and my furry, four legged daughter, Kiwi, and together we WELCOME YOU to Carlsbad Cravings!!! I’m a cystic fibrosis survivor, lung & kidney transplant recipient, LOVER of life and FOOD!
At Carlsbad Cravings (est. 2014), you will find only my tried and true daringly delicious recipes with big, BOLD flavors – or what I like to describe as extraordinary flavors out of everyday ingredients. My #1 goal is to create the best version of every recipe (in my opinion), whether it’s Mexican, Italian, Asian or Greek. And if it’s not the best, then it doesn’t get shared! So, you can cook with confidence from my website, and hopefully you’ll think each recipe is “the best” too and discover many new favorites!
How it began
Some people escape in dreams of sandy beaches and sunny skies, I escape in dreams of mangos, chipotle peppers and bacon. My creativity as a former interior designer flourishes in the kitchen as I find something so satisfying in creating delicious, flavorful (spices are my forte!), fresh food…and then eating it!
As Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:
“Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. …” or something delicious!
I have been cooking and creating new recipes almost every day of the week since I got married in 2006 (see our love story here) and even created my own binder long before Carlsbad Cravings was born (see recipe binder below). When I was in desperate need of a kidney transplant and would come home from work exhausted with legs and feet so swollen I could only wear sandals and skirts (none of my shoes or pants would fit!), all l wanted to do was cook. Cooking and creating reinvigorated my exhausted self by feeding my mind, body and soul.
After I was blessed with new-found energy from my kidney transplant in October 2013 thanks to my doner sister (my lung transplant was in 1999), my doctor cautioned me about going back to work when I was so immune-suppressed. At that point, I was wondering what to do when my sister-in-law suggested I start a food blog. The words pierced my soul and I knew that was what I was supposed to do. I researched how to start a cooking site, how to turn it into a living and then I jumped in and never looked back!
Since launching Carlsbad Cravings in February 2014, I have shared over a thousand recipes that have reached over 140 million readers. I am honored every day to be invited into your homes. Thank you for making my recipes, trusting my recipes, leaving comments and for following along! You are the reason I’m allowed to do what I do! xo
Getting started – What seasonings to stock
To make every recipe the best version of itself, I rely heavily on seasonings. Seasonings MAKE a recipe! To that end, many of my recipes look like they have many ingredients, but often most of them are just dump-in spices, so please don’t be intimidated. I cook with the same spices all of the time, so once you purchase them, you’ll have everything you’ll need! Here are the pantry spices I recommend (you can purchase them little by little):
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried basil
- dried parsley
- dried oregano
- dried thyme
- chili powder
- chipotle chile pepper
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- cayenne pepper
- ground ginger
- chicken bouillon
- beef bouillon
jump to recipe button
To help readers succeed and eliminate any guesswork, I include detailed tips and tricks in every recipe post. If you just want the recipe, you can use the “jump to recipe” button located at the top of every post to skip directly to the recipe. With that, everyone wins! Now, I hope you enjoy exploring my site and hopefully will create your own recipe binder full of Carlsbad Cravings favorites!
Want to Know More?
If you are curious about my journey with cystic fibrosis, my lung transplant, kidney transplant, love story
and more of my life, click on the links below:
Do You Love to Cook?
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Jamie Buck says
Hi Jen! Love your recipes and love your story. We’ve been visiting Carlsbad for about 12 years now, coming in from Kansas City. If you have an “off the beaten path” restaurant recommendation I would sure take it.
Jen says
Hi Jamie! That’s so kind — thank you! It’s wonderful to hear you’ve been visiting Carlsbad for so many years – it’s a magical place! For something a little off the beaten path, I’d suggest trying some of the smaller coastal spots and neighborhood gems rather than the busier waterfront restaurants. Places like local taco shops, tucked – away cafes like L’atelier de Paris, or family-run sushi spots around Carlsbad Village and the surrounding areas often end up being the most memorable. If you’re open to a short drive, Encinitas also has some really great low-key spots that locals love. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes, and I hope your next trip is a delicious one!
Debby Momm says
I also love to cook and create. I’m a real estate agent by career an artist as part Hobby part career and cooking is definitely creative. I look forward to trying out all your recipes and eventually reading your love story.
Jen says
Hi Debby! I love how you describe all the different creative outlets in your life — cooking fits right in there alongside art and real estate in such a meaningful way. I’m so glad the recipes caught your interest, and I hope you find a few new favorites as you try them. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Christine says
Greetings:
I save more of your recipes to my files than (almost) any other cook. Our pantries are similar which makes it too easy. Stay well.
Christine Williamson
Prescott, AZ
Jen says
Hi Christine! That’s so kind — thank you! I love hearing that my recipes have become a go-to for you, especially when they fit right into what you already keep stocked. That makes cooking so much easier and more enjoyable. Wishing you all the best too, and thanks again for taking the time to share this!
Barbara Carr says
I grew up in Poway Ca, not so far from Carlsbad. The best carne asada burritos came from the Bertos (Alberto, Roberto etc etc) I’m in iowa no berths, and the best carne asada doesn’t live here. Even had one with ground up jerky…akk.
Im so excited to try this recipe, I’m going to buy a new grill tomorrow! Thank you! Garcias! Barb Carr
Jen says
Hi Barbara! What a fun memory—those “Berto” spots are such a Southern California classic! I can totally understand the craving when you’re far from home, especially in Iowa. I hope this recipe brings a little taste of that back for you. And buying a new grill for it sounds like the perfect plan—grilling really makes all the difference. Excited for you to try it!
Sean Stanton says
Hi Jen,
After living in Oceanside, CA for nearly 40 years my wife and I moved to a small town in North Carolina. Never did I ever think i would miss SoCal Mexican food, but here we are. About once a week, we would order takeout from a place called Victoria’s in O’side. I am looking for an authentic, flavorful Carne Asada recipe. I will try yours and let you know. We are also missing In-N-Out, but that’s another story.
Jen says
Hi Sean! Thank you so much for sharing! Moving away definitely means missing those special local flavors — especially good Mexican food! I hope this carne asada brings back a little taste of SoCal for you. I’d love to hear what you think after you try it! And I completely understand the In-N-Out nostalgia too—some things are just hard to replace!
Kenneth Webb says
Jen
Hi just got your cookbook in the mail.
All I can say is wow. It’s amazing
Thank you all your hard work in making great recipes
Jen says
Hi Kenneth! Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means the world to hear you’re enjoying the cookbook. I’m so grateful for your support, and I hope it brings you and your family many delicious meals for years to come. Happy cooking!