Cooking has been my passion for many years!
Hi, I’m Anna, and welcome to my page! So glad that you stopped by.
I’m originally from Ukraine, but for almost 40 years, I have lived in the USA.
I immigrated as a teenager with my family during the Soviet Union era when everyone spoke Russian. All these years, if someone asked me where I was from, I would answer – “Russia” since I speak Russian, and frankly, many Americans couldn’t find Ukraine on the map (until recent events)
I have started by following other recipes, just like most. But then, as I felt more comfortable, I started experimenting and creating my own EASY recipes.
The problem for me is that I didn’t write anything down. My hubby used to complain that I have made the most delicious meal last week and if I can make it again. I couldn’t. And this is how my “recording” recipe journey has started.
Even though I enjoy cooking, l have other things that bring me joy as well, such as Art and Craft, which I plan to add more to the website. I have a family that I want to spend time with, chores, responsibilities, THE WORKS.
I try to make QUICK, EASY, with the ingredients I have on hand, as HEALTHY as possible, DELICIOUS, and BEAUTIFUL to look at. We do eat with our eyes first, right!
Please make yourself comfortable in my Virtual Home! Look around, see if something motivates you to cook for your family or yourself!
Please don’t be shy commenting, asking, suggesting…
I enjoy meeting new people, reading new stories, and learning new things.
Thank you!
My Early Cooking Daze!
While browsing through the old photos folder, I found these.
I completely forgot what adventures my Hubby and I have had.
One cold winter day in Brooklyn, we finally decided it was time to move on.
A year after marriage, full of life and excitement, we packed our bags, loaded the car, and headed down south to find our WARM HOME! Just the two of us, not knowing what to expect, but full of desire to find our greener pastures.
We DID!
The first destination was the so Romantic sounding – VENICE (Florida).
Well…….not the place for the young blood, but still so LOVELY!
We drove North and we fell in LOVE with Clearwater Beach – Young, Beautiful and WARM!
While staying in the hotel on the beach, we found our first apartment. We Loved it! It was so much fun building a life – TOGETHER, starting with absolutely nothing and being Grateful for everything we had.
We had an Air mattress to sleep on, a small TV, a small table and 2 chairs and a few pots and pans.
My Cooking Daze has begun slowly… cheap Chinese food is a huge life-saver, right? All I remember are days at the beach eating Chinese food! LOL
But, life doesn’t stay still, life events sweep you off your feet and carry you to the next destination.
I’m Enjoying Every part of my Life’s adventure. I never know where it will take me, but the Passion and Excitement are still present even as I grow older, still the same Passionate Girl! My Hubby always calls me “My Girl!” I Love it! I am!
Passion is the FUEL for life!
This is what I’m trying to share with my cooking. Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore, a boring activity, something you force yourself to do. It can be a fun and enjoyable experience! It all depends on your attitude toward cooking and life in general.
Have Fun and make something Delicious for the ones you LOVE!
And….one more Member of my Family – Buddy The Cat!
Who we adopted several years ago after his owners abandoned him.
He is the “One in the Million” type of a cat, with the Heart of Gold!
So gentle and loving! I love taking pictures of him.
Thank you for stopping by!
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24 Responses to MEET THE COOK
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– Meet The Cook –
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Love your story and amazing recipes. My grandparents were from Odessa 💖
Thank you so much, Deb! My husband was born in Odessa as well! You can find my recipes here on my Blog:
https://www.craftycookingbyanna.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/craftycookingbyanna/
YouTube:
youtube.com/@CraftyCookingbyAnna
Pinterest:
https://pin.it/11faCtD
Appreciate your support!
Hi Anna Thank you for many of great recipes you have been sharing here. I love the way you writing and sharing your history from the scratch. What’s a brave journey to explore the world. Many of your cooking are amazing especially you explain details including substitutes ingredients. You’re also replying whoever asking including me, even you give me a compliments on my IG account. So kind of you . I’ve tried already few of your recipes and absolutely so yummy. I posted on my IG n tagged you . Cooking with love is really you ❤️❤️.
Hi Lina! Appreciate you taking the time and leaving a comment on my blog. I’m very happy that you enjoy these recipes! Happy Holidays and all the best to you and yours! 🙂
Hilarious that you are proud to admit that for years you said you were from Russia, when you lived in Ukraine. It is people like you, Russified Jewish Ukrainians that refuse to recognise Ukrainian identity and independence that have poisoned Ukrainian-Jewish relations for years. Polish Jews say they are from Poland, Russian Jews say they are from Russia, some Ukrainian Jews like you say you are from Russia-that is not something to be proud of, it is atrocious. It is people like you, Russified Ukrainians and Russified Ukrainian Jews that abandon their Ukrainian identity and story out of convenience, because Russia is ‘easier to find on the map’, because speaking Russian will make you more money, because saying your Russian will broaden your audience that has caused this war!!! It is the mentality you perpetuate of ‘kakaya raznitsa’ that has caused Putin and other schizophrenic people like him to invade countries and cause war crimes. And now that Russians are pariahs and hated globally you switch to being Ukrainian, too late we dont want you! Eat your shchi okrosha, solyanka, vatrushka and pelmeni and dont bother cooking our food varenyky, borsch, holubtsi, deruny. ZRADNYKA
This is such a strange comment, Alyona. But I do understand the hate and frustration you feel, you just posted it in the wrong place and wrong person. We financially support Ukraine, watch the analysis every day, and wait for this ruthless killing of innocence to stop. You first have to be in that person’s shoes to judge someone. I came to the USA as a child, I’m an American who speaks with a Russian accent. But my identity was shaped here. My upbringing shaped my food choices, and I bring them in my blog for people that enjoy them. I see nothing wrong with spreading goodwill and good food!
What a terrible comment from that miserable woman. Your story interested me very much. We are Greek, and my Father in law was born in Sevastopoli..
Thank you so much, Lynn! I can understand that with everything going on in the world now, some people get very angry and frustrated and look for a place to “park” their anger. This blog is definitely not the place for it, and I’m not a person who supports the killing of innocent people. I stand with Ukraine! My heart breaks for the people.
Omg! How rude and tasteless is your comment! How much hate in your heart. But before judging people, please educate your self.
I agree with other people who commented here that you are miserable person. Don’t judge and don’t write comments like that.
This is not the place for your personal political stance. Please remove your posting. We are all hear to enjoy food recipes and happy life moments. BTW I married into a Ukrainian family. Love and peace to all.
Comment *Hi, my wife and I live in Oviedo Fl. I saw your recent FB post for Thanksgiving 2021. I am very interested in learning how to make some of those beautiful items. Then I noticed you had post after post of other interesting food items.
Too often, I find receipts that I have tried over use some of the same ingredients and spices, so they have too similar a result. Other times, they include items such as squash, zucchini or eggplant that when cooked just look and taste too mushy. I was immediately taken by the beauty of your food ideas and look forward to trying some. Thank you for sharing.
Hi neighbor, we are in Florida as well! So happy that you like my Thanksgiving table and my recipes, Larry! My motto as you can see by my blog is to create: Easy, Delicious and Beautiful recipes. We eat with our eyes first, so I try to create visually appealing dishes and taste is #1, obviously. I hope you will try the other recipes already on my blog as I’m working on adding new ones all the time. Happy Holidays!
Comment *Hi Anna! It’s so nice to learn a bit more about you! I love how creative and beautifully presented all your recipes are! I will definitely try your recipes!
Hi Tania, thank you so much for visiting my blog! Appreciate it! Glad you like it since I’ve been following you for years!
Hi
I have farmer cheese but don’t know what to do with it. Im gluten free . So I’m going to try your recipe with gluten free pancake mix. Im also going to try and freeze the pancakes after I make them.
Stay safe and God Bless you and your family.
Thanks again.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn! Enjoy the recipe and Stay Safe!
Anna, I love your web site, and your story. I feel the same way about my husband of 20 years. My daughter is 30, married to her to her college sweetheart, a special Education teacher and Mommy to 21/2 year old Harper Rae, my only Grandchild for now. I too, love to cook, ever since I was a little girl. I am a retired mental health therapist and live in West Palm Beach. I hope to try your recipes and stay in touch. I also am working on line with health and wellness. Please stay safe in this horrible time. Hugs, Kathy Lee Friedman
Thank you for stopping by my virtual home, Kathy Lee, and telling me about your lovely story! Hopefully this horrible cloud will pass your door and the doors of your loved ones. Stay Safe!
Very welcome Anna! I’m enjoying reading your stories, pictures of beautiful places you visited, and seeing your new culinary creations too!! Shared couple of your recipes with my coworker. She loves to cook too , and is a new member of the Cooking Time 🙂
When we work together, we love to create something new for the residents. We are looking for some easy and quick recipes for Summer, that require minimum baking( it’ll be awfully hot, and we have very small oven 🙁 )
If you have any ideas, let me know please. Its not urgent, but will be very helpful! 🙂
I’m Very glad as well that we found each other, and have soo much in common!
Thanks a lot Anna! 🙂 🙂
Thank you Natasha! I will look for the recipes. For now, just Easy Tiramisu comes to mind since there is no baking required: https://www.craftycookingbyanna.com/video-recipe-easy-tiramisu/ You can make salads, wraps…..
Comment *
Hi! It was soo interesting to read your story how you and your husband travelled down to south to find your Real home! You were young and brave! Reminded me how young people back in former Soviet Union, travelled to the new places to build new cities and live a new life! Love the picture of young you 🙂
Thank you so much Natasha for reading and for your feedback! Appreciate your interest and support in what I do! I’m very Happy that we met online. I enjoy seeing your Art creations! You are very talented and sweet woman!