Author Archives: Shari

About Shari

My name is Shari, and I am an Arizona native and married mother of 3 who loves to cook and bake and figure out how to garden successfully in our suburban home in the desert. On this blog you will find a combination of savory and sweet recipes that have been tested by me, along with many tips to help you be successful. I hope you enjoy them! (cookazido.com)

Exciting News!

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Shari

I am very happy to let you know that Cook AZ I Do has a new location Cookazido.com. We have been working for some time now to transition to the new location. Please pardon our dust as we work out … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Skillet Peach Cobbler

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Shari

We invited friends to our cabin last weekend, and I wanted to make something special for dessert while they were there. I love using mini cast iron skillets (I found mine at Cost Plus World Market) for all kinds of … Continue reading →

Perfect Guacamole

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Shari

I realized recently that I don’t have a recipe on Cook AZ I Do for guacamole. Considering how much our family likes guacamole, that just is not acceptable. I think the reason I haven’t put it on here is most … Continue reading →

Posted in Appetizers, Cabin Recipes, Cinco de Mayo, Company, Family Favorites, Mexican, Party Recipes, Recipes, Summer Recipes | Tagged Appetizers, chunky guacamole, Cinco de Mayo, guacamole, Mexican food recipes | 31 Comments

Let Her Eat Cake – Vanilla Bean Cake With Pink Champagne Buttercream

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Shari

Our daughter is turning 21 this weekend! I don’t know how that could be because I swear it was only yesterday she was born. I wanted to make her a special cake for such a significant birthday so decided on … Continue reading →

Posted in Cakes, Cupcakes, Mother's Day, Party Recipes, Recipes, Wedding Reception Recipes | Tagged buttercream frosting, Champagne Buttercream, Crusting Buttercream, Mother's Day Recipes, Ombre Cake, Ombre Rose Cake, Rose Cake, Vanilla Bean Cake | 42 Comments

The Magic of Cream Puffs

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Shari

In our family, we have had some lofty goals as far as what we wanted to be when we grew up. My sister wanted to be an Avon lady, and my daughter wanted to be a pink kitty. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in Company, Desserts, Family Favorites, Recipes, Valentine's Day | Tagged chocolate ganache, company desserts, cream puffs, dessert for company, dessert recipes, special desserts, sweetened whipped cream, Valentine's Day Desserts | 20 Comments

Caprese Salad with Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette or Summer on a Plate

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Shari

I have a new morning smoothy. It is called Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette. Not really. But I did have salad for breakfast this morning because I couldn’t wait until lunch to have more of this dressing. It is so … Continue reading →

Posted in Company, Italian, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Summer Recipes | Tagged Balsamic Vinaigrette, Caprese Salad, Company Recipes, Italian Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Summer Recipes, Sweet and Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette | 25 Comments

Best Ever Homemade Pizza Sauce and Copycat Pizza Hut Supreme Pizza

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Shari

Jeff and I have date night every Tuesday night. We don’t really make a big production out of it. Most of the time, Jeff will bring home a bottle of wine, we eat dinner together, and watch our favorite T.V. show. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Company, Family Favorites, Italian, Main Dish, Party Recipes, Recipes | Tagged Copycat Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce, Copycat Pizza Hut Supreme Pizza, homemade pizza, Homemade Pizza Sauce, Italian Recipes, pizza, Pizza Hut Pizza, pizza sauce | 23 Comments

Perfect Pancakes

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Shari

I am so relieved to post this recipe for these pancakes today. You see, I have a completely irrational fear that I am going to lose this recipe. And that would be terrible. Because this is the best recipe for … Continue reading →

Posted in Breakfast, Cabin Recipes, Company, Family Favorites, Recipes, Weekend Meals | Tagged buttermilk pancakes, Cabin Recipes, Camping Recipes, Father's Day Recipes, fluffy pancakes, Mother's Day Recipes, pancakes, perfect pancakes | 24 Comments

Royal Palms Resort and Spa – Phoenix’s Best Kept Secret

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Shari

Recently, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. He was very sweet and took me to one of my favorite places – The Royal Palms Resort and Spa. It is located at the base of Camelback Mountain, one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hotel Reviews, Things to Do in Arizona | Tagged Hotels in the Phoenix Area, Phoenix Hotels, Places to Stay in Arizona, Royal Palms, Royal Palms Resort, Royal Palms Resort and Spa, T. Cook's Restaurant, Things to Do in Arizona | 22 Comments

Melt in Your Mouth Cuban Sliders

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Shari

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned before how recipes are chosen for making and reviewing for Cook AZ I Do. It is a very random scientific and emotional mathematical process how recipes come to be presented on this blog. … Continue reading →