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Just Maika Cooking

I am a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, ​culinary educator. My goal is to create, educate and discover tools that ​will bring the joy and passion of global cuisine to food enthusiasts ​and home cooks through exploration, experimentation, and tasting.

Stay connected with Chef Maika’s latest recipes, sauce releases, seasonal produce guides, and cooking tips designed to help you explore global flavors and cook creatively at home.
Featured Post

You’re Not Ready for These Game Day Recipes

March 21, 2026 Hey Reader! It's been a while since my last email, and I wanted to check in with you personally. Over the past few weeks, I stepped away to welcome my newborn and focus on recovery after pregnancy. I also spent some unexpected time in the hospital due to preeclampsia, and alongside that, I’ve been continuing my journey managing fibroids. Because health is such a big part of how and what I cook, I wanted to share that with you. If you’ve walked a similar path, please know you’re...

pinterest for Game Day Recipe list.

February 7, 2026 Hey Reader! Game day is not just about the score. It is about the energy, the gathering, and of course, the food. I just released a new roundup packed with game day food ideas that bring bold global flavors, easy prep, and crowd-pleasing favorites to your table. Inside this guide, you will find everything you need to build the perfect game day spread, including: Crispy chicken wings in bold global flavors Loaded nachos and shareable platters Tacos, fajitas, and handheld...

pinterest pin for 26 Romantic Dinner Recipes to Impress Your Partner.

February 5, 2026 Hey Reader! I just published a brand-new recipe roundup featuring 28 romantic, chef-picked dinner recipes designed to help you cook something special without overcomplicating the night. These are the kinds of meals that feel impressive but still leave room to enjoy the process, whether you’re cooking for someone or cooking together. In the roundup, I also included drink inspiration and simple menu-building ideas so you can easily pair a salad, entrée, dessert, and even a...

January 7, 2025 Hey Reader! Looking for a cozy, protein-packed vegetarian soup that actually keeps you full? This Pasta and Lentil Soup (Italian Style) is inspired by classic pasta e lenticchie and made with lentils, mini shell pasta, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a subtle Calabrian chili kick for deep, comforting flavor. It’s a simple one-pot meal loaded with vegetables, perfect for make-ahead lunches or easy weeknight dinners. Explore. Experiment. Taste. -Chef Maika PS. Don't forget to rate...

close up of kimchi rice on a spoon.

December 31, 2025 Hey Reader! Happy New Year!! If you’ve ever stared at leftover rice and a jar of kimchi, wondering what you could whip up, this week’s recipe is for you. My Korean-inspired Quick Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe is a simple base dish packed with bold, tangy flavor and ready in minutes, perfect for busy nights or when inspiration strikes but time is short. It's a base recipe because I give you the base recipe and suggestions for making it your own with what you have! For example, it...

December 23, 2025 Hey Reader! Looking for a snack you can enjoy any time of day without overthinking it? These Banana Berry Corn Muffins with Greek Yogurt were created to be simple, wholesome, and freezer-friendly, the kind of muffin you can bake once and enjoy all week. Made with ripe bananas, honey, yogurt, and berries, they’re lightly sweet, soft, and perfect for grabbing straight from the freezer and warming up in seconds, great ifor breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a little something...

December 17, 2025 Hey Reader! This West African–inspired chicken maafe is one of those recipes that came together naturally as I explored flavors that feel both new and familiar to me. I’ve always loved global dishes, especially when they connect back to elements I recognize from my Haitian background, like the bold peanut flavor we know so well through manba. I developed this version to celebrate West African cuisine while keeping it approachable for home cooks, adding collard greens and...

December 11, 2025 Hey Reader! Mommy Brain! Talk about forgetting to send you my newsletter!! Lol. Anyways, here we go: This week, I’m sharing a recipe I created for those moments when you’re torn between craving a comforting Creole gumbo and wanting the satisfaction of cutting into a beautifully roasted chicken breast. My Pan-Roasted Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo takes all the soulful flavors of a classic gumbo, the Holy Trinity, smoky andouille, okra, and a rich medium-brown roux and...

November 26, 2025 Hey Reader! This Baked Haitian Macaroni and Cheese is my modern, creamy twist on the classic Makawoni au Graten some of us grew up with; rich, cheesy, and full of those nostalgic flavors that make every holiday table feel complete. If you’re looking for a comforting side dish that blends tradition with technique, you’ll want to try this one next. Explore. Experiment. Taste. -Chef Maika Kitchen Tools on Sale | Curated Cooking Deals by Me Weekly News: $260 to $10 Drops I’ve...

plated steak shawarma with gravy and cranberry chutney surrounded by the finished dishes.

November 19, 2025 Hey Reader! This week, I’m bringing you two creative recipes to elevate your Thanksgiving and holiday table: my Steak Shawarma Recipe with Fall Holiday Flavors with Fall Holiday Flavors and the brand-new Easy Cranberry-Ginger Chutney. The shawarma makes a bold, cozy centerpiece for anyone looking to switch things up this season, while the chutney delivers the perfect bright, tangy contrast using simple ingredients you likely already have at home. Together, they create a...