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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Kevin & Susan says
We’ll be in Carlsbad next month, what time is dinner? Just kidding, but thanks for all of your hard work in providing the recipes et al.
Jen says
Yay! Have so much fun! Thank you so much for your support!
Brian Slick says
Your recipes and presentation of information are hands down the very best on the internet!!!
Jen says
Thank you so much for your kind message Brian! I am glad you are loving the recipes!!
Greg Tatom says
I loved your story and couldn’t resist signing up. I too love to cook, but most of my cooking is on a Green Egg. I just can’t not read a recipe and determine if I can make it on an Egg. I found you when I was researching Huli Huli chicken recipes. Looking forward to getting to know you and your recipes.
– Green Egg Greg
Jen says
Hey Green Egg Greg! I am so glad you found me and I hope you find recipes that you absolutely love!
Tori Miller says
I love your recipes and understand your passion. If I can’t create in my garden the kitchen is the next place I go. I never used recipes until I retired and had the time to slow down and read. You are an amazing person to just keep on going.Bravo! Love conquers all
Jen says
Thanks so much Tori! I love that cooking is a great creative outlet for you! I appreciate you and hope you are doing well!
Tom Downie says
Jen,
I love all the recipes of yours I have made thus far. Can’t wait for “Turkey Bomb” season to be upon us.
I was just wondering if you would consider coming up with your own version of “ North Shore Garlic Shrimp w/sticky rice”? You recipe always have such complex and in depth flavors.
Thanks
Tom
Jen says
Thank you for all the love and support! I will definitely put it into consideration, there are so many delicious foods I’m excited to make in the future!
Tammi Hild says
I have been meaning to write a note for the longest time. When I want a recipe I know my family and I will like, that I most likely will have all of the ingredients including herbs/spices for, I rely on Carlsbad Cravings! I recommend your website to everyone. Thank you for your work to consistently supply delicious recipes that the average cook can make successfully. I have even become a fan of oregano–your favorite, it seems! I rarely used it before cooking with your recipes; it has now become a “go to” herb.
Thanks again!
Jen says
Thank you Tammi! I appreciate your support so much! I am glad that you are loving the recipes and oregano!
Heather Franklin says
Hi Jen,
Would you please make a cook book?
Heather
Jen says
I think this might be the year!
Andy V says
Congratulations on your lung and kidney transplant journeys, Jen. I’m a fellow DLT warrior (2016) and found your website by accident when looking for a coconut curry chicken recipe for tonight’s dinner. I like to try new recipes all the time and yours looks like a winner!
Good cooking and good health to you!
Jen says
Congratulations Andy, I’m so happy for your life changing transplant! I’m just about to celebrate my 24 year DLT anniversary and am so grateful! I’m so happy you stumbled on my site. If you love cooking big flavors, it sounds like you’ve come to the right spot! Praying for your continued health!
E Thomas says
I make your recipes for my family almost every single night and to a recipe they turn out delicious. You have a serious way with food and do such an amazing job writing easy to follow, thorough directions. Thank you so much!! Kudos to you for managing your CF so gracefully…I’m very familiar with what you are battling, and it makes me appreciate even more the effort you put into everything you do. You are truly an inspiration. Happy Holidays!!
Jen says
Thank you for your kind words! I am happy to hear that you have been enjoying so many recipes, I appreciate the love and support so much!
Gabriella Rocco says
Hey Jen! I am a Carlsbad Native, residing in Denver, CO! I was on my aunt’s recipe blog (The Wooden Spoon Diaries) and found a recipe that derived from your creation! She talked highly about your recipes and loved the Carlsbad Connection, it is a very special place to me. However, I am thrilled to hear about your story and your success! Just wanted to connect. Take care!
Jen says
Hi Gabriella! What fun connections! I’m so glad you reached out, hope you are doing well!
Beverly Stecker says
When I look for a recipe I go to your site. My husband and I have never been disappointed. Not only is your story awe inspiring but your recipes always end up being standards in my recipe repertoire and have for several years. Thank you for your creativity and dedication to the pursuit of excellence. .
Jen says
I’m so thrilled to hear that so many recipes have become favorites! Thank you for your kind words and making this site your go-to!
Cindy Pennington says
I am fascinated with your positive story! I was also, on a transplant list for a kidney but have been removed will need one eventually….like yourself I love life and my granddaughters (5)….I hope you have a cookbook I’ve just discovered you and your delicious recipes! Cooking makes me happy too I love to share my food! God bless you and your continuing journey ❤️
Jen says
Thanks Cindy! Sharing food is something I love too! I hope you are well❤️ God bless you and your family!
Ryan says
I never read the story until now. I bookmarked the FB page because I like to cook when I have time, and some of the recipes are awesome! BUT, I am a kidney transplant recipient, so your story touched me when I read it!
Jen says
Thank you so much Ryan! I hope you’re doing well!
Laura Korbas says
Love your story…You are truly blessed. I am happy for you…and your husband and family
Jen says
Thank you so much Laura❤️
Aileen Bell says
I have been home cooking for 25 years, but I never quite had the flavors where I wanted them, until I found Jen! I have been cooking Carlsbad Cravings meals 2-3 times a week for the past couple of months, and I have yet to find a recipe that isn’t both thoughtfully written and truly delicious! Thank you to Jen for sharing her culinary gifts with the world.
Jen says
This made my day! Thank you for trying so many recipes and for your kind words!! I appreciate you:)
Ricky Bobby says
Hi !!
Wanted to let you know how much my family and friends absolutely love your shared recipes. My wife has been cooking so many of your recipes the last year and a half. The leftovers make it to the office and our younger female office staff are now envious of my wife’s new found abilities. We look forward to enjoying many more years of your recipes. Thank you so much. God bless
Jen says
I’m so happy to hear that you and your family have been enjoying so many recipes! Thanks for taking the time to let me know, I appreciate it!
Keena says
I live in Oceanside and work in Carlsbad public schools and just found your site today! Small world
Jen says
Such a small world! Hope you find lots of recipes to love here!
Stella Makofski says
I found this site as I was looking for dinner ideas. Four months ago I moved from Oceanside to Oklahoma and this made me home sick! Your blog is really cute and I can’t going to follow your journey.
Jen says
Thanks Stella! I’m so glad this reminded you of home! I hope you find lots of recipes to love!
Joanne says
Hi Jen; I love your story and I love Carlsbad. My husband Peter, myself and our dog Marley the Westie travelled in our Motorhome across the western USA and Carlsbad is one of my favorite Cities. We are Canadian and live in Kelowna, British Columbia. I love all your recipes and receive them on email! Tonight I made the Pasta Lamone. It was amazing! Do you have a cookbook?
Jen says
That sounds like an incredible trip, and I’m so glad you were able to make Carlsbad one of your stops. I don’t have a cookbook yet! Thanks for trying so many recipes, I appreciate all the support!
Catherine Hutchinson says
I just want to say how grateful I am to have discovered you and your pages! (Webpage after Facebook) Your recipes are the most consistently delicious ones I’ve tried,and I’ve tried many. Each and every one goes into my “Keeper” pile. I’m that cook that has always had to modify and tweak recipes, because they always seemed to be lacking that extra level of flavour and substance I was looking for. Thank you so very much for sharing your Incredible recipes!
Jen says
Thank you, this is the biggest compliment! I am so thrilled to hear the recipes have been keepers!