About Hilah Cooking!
Behind the scenes of the LEARN TO COOK photo shoot.
My name is Hilah Johnson. My partner Christopher Sharpe and I began Hilah Cooking in January 2010. We create short-form, educational, and occasionally hilarious cooking videos geared towards beginner and intermediate cooks, as well as people who are just looking for simple, low-cost recipes.
Everything is made from scratch, people! You will not see any packets of taco seasoning mix or gravy powder up in here. If you are going to learn how to cook, you are going to learn it for real! But I promise it will be fun and easy.
All of the ingredients are a cinch to find and I avoid using any super-specialized gadgets in order to keep the recipes accessible to everyone. That means I grind pepper in a mortar and froth up egg whites in my mouth. Just kidding. That would be gross.
We just released a humongo new e-cookbook: Learn To Cook Book. It covers everything you need to know about buying, preparing, storing, and cooking food so that you can live and take care of yourself like a grown-up. Plus there’s, like, a billion (150) recipes and a jillion (maybe?) accompanying videos. You can check out a free preview of it here.
I wrote a starter cookbook last year: The Breakfast Taco Book. It’s available now on Amazon Kindle for only $2.99! If you love breakfast tacos, this book is a trove of information and anecdotes about tacos. If you’ve never had a breakfast taco, this book is going to change your life. It’s full of all the recipes you need to make some kickin’ tacos for breakfast. Even the tortillas and salsa.
I’ve been cooking since I could reach the stove — it was REALLY HOT! — and love it. I also do a bunch of other artsy crap like acting, writing, and singing in my goofball, punk rock band. Plus I love spicy food, innuendo humor, and porch-drinking.
Chris is one of those that is absolutely befuddled by cooking. It’s a good thing that he knows how to hold a camera straight. Seriously.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you find our videos useful and entertaining!
LOL (Lots O’ Love),
Hilah
I create short-form, educational, and occasionally hilarious cooking videos geared towards beginner and intermediate cooks, as well as people who are just looking for simple, low-cost recipes. Everything is made from scratch, people! 
{ 101 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey hi and howdy Hilah,
I see that you have composers for the bits you are doing. This probably includes the podcasts. I think you may be covered, but if you are needing ancillary music I’d love to be part of your arsenal. I wish you continued success and I’ll leave you my contact details below.
What about a salad dressing with amino acids? Lime ginger or something.
Best,
Allen Copeland
Pacifica Music
http://www.pacificamusic.com
allen@pacificamusic.com
Thanks for the offer, Allen! I think we’ve got it covered for now but I will keep your generosity in mind for sure. You know I love music of all kinds. Your dressing idea sounds mighty tasty. Thanks for watching the show!
Hilah,
I am a chef at Central Market Cooking school. Any chance of you taking your show on the road and doing a class with us at our school? Love your show.
Scot
I am quite impressed with your amazing chopping skills. Shazam. Seriously, you should, like, make a video on it (and other basic techniques, that god forbid, I should already know). It would please me greatly to cut veggies at an actual pace. It takes me an hour! I swear. Keep up the amazing videos!
Mariah
Thanks, Mariah. It is something we have considered but now that I know there is a real need, I will see what I can do. Thanks for watching!
Just found your show yesterday and blasted thru watching all the episodes in just a few hours… I had an awesome time and have sent all my friends links to your site. Now I’m gonna dig out my sick ass
old Vincent Price Gourmet Cookbook ( he really was 1 ) to look for some good ideas for you to try out on future shows. Love Ya !
Hey Mike, I hope you find some good recipes for me!
Hi,I am so glad I found your website.I already tryied some of your recipes and they are simple,easy,fast an delicious!!!
Thanks!
Thanks for commenting, Sergio! Glad you’re enjoying the recipes.
Hey Hilah,
Found you on iTunes as a podcast. You rock, I’m hooked. Keep up the great stuff and get real famous. Just don’t charge us when you do.
I’m not making any promises!
Loved the recipe for french toast!!
BTW, we (HoneyHut) are playing a gig at The Red Eyed Fly tomorrow, Tuesday, 7/13/2010.
Would love to see you there.
Jon (and Karen) Saxon
Hilah, we loved the recipe for french toast! Orange zest!
Looking forward to trying the peach cobbler.
BTW, we (HoneyHut) are playing at The Red Eyed Fly tomorrow, Tue 7/13/10 at 11:00pm. I’ll put you and Chris on the guestlist if they’ll let us, so ask if you show up.
http://www.redeyedfly.com/pb/wp_5af10a8c/wp_5af10a8c.html
http://www.honeyhut.net/
So happy we discovered you,
Jon & Karen Saxon
Hey Jon and Karen! Glad to have you on board! My old man’s playing a gig tomorrow night, too!
Great show love it. I would like to see you make stromboli. I have a killer recipe if you need one.
Sounds like a great thing to try next season, Ron!
Hilah,
You are hilarious. It would be awesome to wear a T-shirt with your face and your.com on it. Where can I find it?
You can find it in the future! That’s something we’re working on. Sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get the info for sure.
Hilah,
You have been keeping me going out here in butt fuck nowhere alaska on my very boring job. But now its much better that I have subscribed to your podcast. I absolutely love you and can’t wait to see more. Do you know how to make sopaipillas? I know I could probably look the recipe up online butttt your just much more entertaining then wikipedia. Keep em’ comin.
Sweet! Alaska, eh? Makes me want a sno-cone.
I love your cooking episodes. You are ‘Hi’larious, a good cook, a cute too!
Why thankyewverymuch!
Martha Stewart is a smarmy bitch and I want to kick her in the nuts. You are proof that there is balance in the universe with all your cooking with a beer in your hand and saying “fuck it” and other stuff that people really do when they’re cooking. You’re so good that I’m appointing you my pretend internet girlfriend until I get bored and pretend dump you for some pretend internet whore who you’re totally better than and you can’t believe I got a new pretend internet girlfriend so fast and I had to have been pretend cheating on you. I am such a pretend asshole.
Oh yeah, did you do nachos yet? I want to see you make awesome nachos.
Awesome! I am flattered! We have already done pretend nachos. Do you want real nachos?
Pretend nachos are for people who are trying to lose weight. I’m talking about real 2000 calories a plate nachos that are better than the sloppy mess I make.
No problem. Nachos are on the list for next season! Thanks, Andrew!
I FU*4ING LOVE YOU!
I’m DYING over here. You have me laughing – like…OUT LOUD laughing. Blogs don’t normally have that affect on me. (Did I use the write “affect?” “effect?” Whatev.)
I have no damn clue how I found your page…but you rock and I’m SO glad you’re not that cookie cutter type. (Even though I secretly want to be Martha Stewart for a day. But that’s besides the point.)
You’re a new time fav faSHO!
[Ok. I seriously shouldn't blog or post comments when I've gone over 24 hours of no sleep. I meant to "write" RIGHT - not "write in my previous comment."
Don't judge me by my lack of grammar. I'm SMRT.]
I, too, would love to be Martha Stewart for a day! I love your blog, too, girl! Such an eclectic mix of stuff. I’m real real happy you’re here. xoh
Why thank you!
But seriously. I’m telling all my friends about your blog. They could use a good laugh (and cooking tips.) Have a good one!
Yes tell the world!!!
Hi Hilah! Just another comment like the billion other comments you have read: your show is GRRRREAT! It is funny and I like how you teach in simple ways how to cook very decent meals. I am a student, and tired of cooking crappy pastas, lame sandwiches or hitting the fast food like a bum. Wish you the very best of success!
Hi Ken! Thanks for letting me know! It’s always so wonderful to hear from people whose lives have been improved by MY SHOW. Ahh. J/K I’m not really that self absorbed! I’m very glad it’s helping you and I wish YOU the best of kitchen success, friend!
Nice tips for New Years.
Thanks.
Happy New Year, Renzie!
Didn’t know where to post this comment, so here it is. My friend sent me the most amazing recipe from Paula Deen. It has to be a joke, but I thought you might be interested in it. Coincidence is that I actually made that recipe on my own in 2007.
Holy Shit! That is no joke, I am afraid. Your picture looks tasty, though!
Wow a Southern gal cooking up a storm. It is awesome to see such a talented woman as yourself on the web helping others.
Thank you, Brett! I’m glad you find it useful!
I just discovered your show on blip.tv. A few months ago I got all mad at dish network because I didn’t feel like giving them $60 a month for a bunch of stupid channels that I never watched. Now I have this little box that allows me to stream tons of interesting shows. Your show is nice, short and to the point. I like it because I’m not a stuck-up foodie like some people. Many cooking show feature chefs or people who act like chefs. They go on about ingredients that I know I’ll never use. Thanks for offering a palatable cooking show and keeping it real. You drink when you cook, you cuss and you’re funny. That’s awesome.
Dewey from MD
Hi Dewey! Thank you so much for writing! It’s great to get feedback that lets me know I’m reaching people and doing the right things. Please let me know if you’ve tried any of the recipes and how they turned out!
-hilah
I can find the log in for the super secret newsletter/fanclub. I think I am blind. I guess all that time alone in high school has finally caught up with me.
If you could point the way, that would be helpful.
Hi Adam! If you are looking for the sign-up, it’s a tab on the top that says “newsletter”. If you’re already signed up, you should have gotten an email with the log in info. Check your spam folder and email me directly if you still can’t find it.
-h
Hey Hilah, I couldn’t find an email address on here but I’ve just started up a comic site (not even cooking-related, oddly enough) but I linked to this site and I wondered if that was okay with you? You don’t have to link me back but if you want to have a look that would be pretty cool
Thanks, Cat! I’ll check it out for sure!
Hi hilah,
My husband and I own a bed and breakfast in San Antonio. We have been inspired by your cooking shows. Would you ever consider filming at our location? thanks for giving great healthy recipes. Can’t wait to download the breakfast taco book.
Hi Alison!
Umm…can I also stay at your B&B??? Then we could make breakfast together for the people!!! Tacos!
Thanks for writing. I hope you enjoy the book!
Yours,
Hilah
P.S. I am dead serious about this.
Hidey ho groovy chick Hilah!… I found you when sourcing a recipe on youtube… and I am soo thankful to now be entertained, informed, (and sometimes enlightened?) by your straightforward humerous approach to cookin’ good stuff!… I turned my dear sainted mother on to you and her first comment to me later was “what’s her tattoo mean”… wtf? thanks goofy mom person? that’s all you gleened from this amazing individual?…ohh well… I just told her that it was probably some hiroglyick sybol that meant something?… I never really noticed till I watched you make the zucchini pancakes?…Kinda looks like a palm tree in a stiff wind? Dunno?, and don’t care, but what I do care about is MORE HILAH!… thanks 4 all u doo…
Hi Kelly! I’m really happy you found me! What recipe were you looking for? I’m curious.
Ahh. Moms will be moms. It’s an anchor, though, for the record.
My mom had the same response to my tattoo!
Thanks for writing!!
-hilah
Hi Hilah! thanks for the reply!… the recipe I was sourcing on youtube was for Sangria… that’s where I first saw you… or is it seen you?, spyed you? “I spy pretty girl Hilah”…Bingo! Hey, I need to send you my really simple and quick recipe for tortilla soup using ramen noodles? Great for brunch after you may have embibed in excess the previous evening (drank too much)…
Say hi to G dog 4 me!
Thanks Hilah…;)
Yum, Kelly! Email it to me! I effing love ramen noodles. And I totes know what you mean about being good hangover food.
Yeaaaa! Jazz hands!… ready?… set! Fair warning on this recipe Hilah, cause i usually use sum canned goods to make it real easy and I know how you feel about that? Ok, getta pack of CHICKEN flavor ramen noodles and bust’em up a bit wif yo fist while still in the bag ya know? Cook to specs which gives you exactly three minutes while it’s cooking to hurry and get your canned goods..(can of cooked chicken, canned corn, can of rotel) open’em…and chop up a handful of cilantro… When your noodles are done just grab a big ol’ table spoon and scoop in about 3 big tbsp of the chicken…about the same of the corn and the rotel… Note: don’t worry about tryin’ to drain any juices while adding these, just throw the sh*t in… Top with a hanful of FRESH chopped cilantro, and tortilla strips, chips, crumbs…whatever you got handy, and blam! That’s a 5 minute tortilla soup that’s pretty bad ass for being so simple? Of course the ideal is leftover chicken and corn, but if it’s cold in the fridge before you use it you will have to add them to the noodles while cooking to have everything hotty hot?… with all the canned goods, ya don’t… Hope you enjoy it Hilah, and hope you got rid of your cold-crap-sick stuff in yo head? I have it too… Bye Luv…
Dooood. Kelly. I kinda want to drink too much and be really hungover soon just so I can try this! Why does G.D. Ro-tel have to be such a temptress???
I hope your booger-head clears up soon, too, dear.
I’m better now…thankya kind lady Hilah!… Yeah, try it, you’ll like it! I forgot to mention that (of course), I will be gettin’ 2 copies of your new book whenever it’s out … One for me, and one for my mom (remember-the one that asked about your tat?)… And if it’s just a local release I can come by your house and pick’em up? You gotta pool over there?…Ha!… In my dreams!… be good to yourself you beautiful person…;)
If you like ramen recipes, check out “Starvin’ With Louis”, which won a best web show award from the Boston Phoenix in 2007. Louis hasn’t done an episode of the show in a year or two, I think because his producer has be making a movie, but maybe someday Louis’ show be back in production. Facebook page for the show.
Dear Hilah,
I think you are just beyond wonderful. There aren’t enough funny women in this world, so you are just a big ol breath of fresh air to me! I feature your videos on my blog every time you update, and they are a big hit. Keep on keepin on gf. I just thought I’d let you know that you’re doing an awesome job!! Thank you for keeping my readers and myself more than entertained
Your biggest fan,
Jenna
Dear Jenna,
Thank you so much! I’m completely flattered, especially coming from a real culinary school person. Wow.
I should come visit you at Disney World! I’ll be the one in the giant “Thumbs Up” costume. It’s my friendliest costume.
love,h
Hey Thanks so much for all your hard work guys!
Peace, love, and awesome food!!
You got it nailed down, Is there a 6 star program? If so……
Hi Jerome!
Thank YOU so much for caring enough to write! We’re looking into star programs…let you know.
Hi Hilah,
It’s Ken again, just wondering if you could show us a good eggplant parmesan recipe. I had it once several years back and just loved it. Someone told me its not that hard to make. But anyway I do wish you would consider it in an up coming video, Keep up the great work! Love ya Ken Bartley
Hey!
I’m an advertising student at UT, and I have a project due in photoj. soon. I was wondering if I can do a spotlight on you?
Let me know!
Jenny D
Hells to the yeah.
Gumbo Gumbo Gumbo
Yes Yes Yes.
Great to meet you Sunday, dude!
Hi Hilah, thanks for your website, videos, writing, and of course the great meals.
Your video intro’s character has blue eyes, yet you have beautiful brown eyes (as do I). Please ask your animator(s?) if they’ll address this inaccuracy.
Thank you again for all your efforts!
Hi Jim! You are very welcome, my friend!
My eyeballs are actually green, which I realize is still not blue, but I figured was close enough not to complain to the animator who was animating me for free. Know what I’m saying?
I too love to cook, while a good laugh, and enjoyed checking out some of your episodes. I truly enjoyed the one that was a tribute to your Dad’s Chili. I liked the fact that you too enjoy a good beer while cooking. I personally prefer a Shiner, being a Texan and all, but I don’t want to start a Rant on this page. It looks like you were having a Modelo, which I agree is an excellent choice from a fine neighbors to the south. Have I advertised enough products yet? I too keep beers from Mexico on hand for Mexican food nights or just changing things up. Keep up the good work!
Hey Phil! Shiner is a great choice to actually put IN chili, too. I agree it is fun to match the beer to the cuisine! But I admit I have a soft spot for Mexican beers, especially Modelo and Dos XX.
Thanks for writing, man!
-h
Uh, oh! It looks like you have competition in the Web cooking show biz–
Little Chefs: http://youtu.be/j_QHCzAkUII
Oh no! They’re totally stealin’ mah thundah!
BA ha….. You always yelled at me for crushing the garlic.
Well, what did I know? You’re the Italian one.
Sometimes I chop it in chunks now without squishing it in my hand first, (usually when I’m making Thai or Chinese). Every time I do this, I think of you …and chuckle a little. ; )
Hilah. . . gotta check out the Breakfast Taco Book. Sounds like great stuff. . .
And for Mother’s Day. . , I wish your mother and all the mothers out there a great day. . .Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there. . . Hilah, my Mom is 84 years old and she can still out-cuss Popeye the Sailor. . . Octogenarian moms with potty mouth are the greatest !!!!
Have a great day !!!!!!
Hi Ray! Yes, check it out and tell me what you think!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas. I’m cleaning my mom’s house for her today. Whee!
thanks for the e-mail reply. im impressed will toss a cold one back and spread the word jeff
Of course, Jeff! Thanks for spreading the word, man. I appreciate it, really. And I’m impressed that you’re gonna have beers while you do it!
Hilah… i love your site… been following you ever since i saw “breakfast tacos”…. Genius!!!! you should have t-shirts. i’d totally buy some for me and my friends!!!!!!!
Thanks, Jack! T-shirts are on the list of things to do! (This list is LONG!) I’m really glad you like breakfast tacos.
i see you dont care for oysters, my heart is broken. maybe it’s because you’ve only eaten texas or lousiana oysters. the best oysters in the world come from apalachicola bay in the panhandle of florida where i live . when ever thers a hurricane or something that screws up the oyster beds and they ship them in from from some where else its we know it right away by the taste . so try some from here. raw is best. but want to make any fresh gulf oyster good. fire up the grill shuck some oysters leave them in the shell. put a on dab of butter couple of shots of hot sauce fresh grated parmessian crush some saltine crackers on top grill till cheese is hot and bubbly the idea is to melt the cheese but not over cook the oysters. same thing butter, hot sauce slice of halopeno, montery jack crushed saltines on top. to me there’s no better breakfast for a hangover than a cold budweiser and cold oyster an a cracker with some lousiana hot sauce hmmmmmmmm ummmm hell yeah
Oh, lord, when you put it like that, it doesn’t sound like anything I could resist! I must come visit you in Florida!
Hilah! I used to live in Austin and wish I had known about you when I did. I live in Singapore now.. anyway, thats not why I am writing you..
My BFFFFF makes the most awesome aprons, and we want to send you one! If you are interested, let me know.
By the way, I love the Pickle Back. I have a recipe for Tiger Blood you may like!
Hi Paula!
That would be SO RAD, actually! Wow!
And yeah, share your tiger blood recipe. I’ve never even heard of it but I like how it sounds!
Are ya gonna do anything for October Fest!!!
Holy cow, I hadn’t even thought of it before now. Thanks for saving me from a HUGE blunder! Yes. Definitely.
Hi Hilah, love your videos! I too drink & cook on my food blog. Here’s a visit to a hot dog happy hour in LA (fries, dog & beer $3.75!) Come on out here and I’ll take you to it! My sis lives in Austin, and it rocks!! http://is.gd/Pi2doC
Oh wow! That is my kind of happy hour! Hope I get out there sometime.
Hi Hilah
I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s been known to occasionally thin the sauce with whatever I happen to be drinking at the time..
Creativity, I tell ya! It’s a lost art.
You rock.
Dixie
Thanks, Dixie! Experimenting in the kitchen is the fun part!
Hi Hilah! What a treat you and your show are. So glad I found you from the Chronicle article. Your episodes are beautiful, funny, and entertaining. What camera do you guys shoot on and is it true you use a lamp from Target to light them?
Hi Darlin’!
I’m so glad you found me, too! Thank you for your kind words.
We use a Canon HV30 and a $20 lamp from Target for lighting!
Hope to hear from you again!
-hilah
Hi Hilah!
I’ve been a terrible cook since I started cooking (4 years ago), and just recently became super interested in moving up to the “mediocre” and “ok-to-serve-to-humans” levels. However, after watching some of your clips on the website and realizing I don’t have to worry so much, I think I can jump straight up to the ”awesome” level. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Hi Josh!!!
Thank you for writing! I love to hear about people getting inspired to cook and I am so happy to be a part of that.
It’s so true that with the right recipes and an easy-going, positive ‘tude, anyone can cook something AWESOME.
Hope to hear more about your kitchen experiences!
-hilah
I wasn’t going to post this, and I hope this doesn’t come off as rude, but I feel compelled to do it. . . so here it goes. . . When I first saw that Kohl’s Black Friday commercial (with that Rebecca Black rip-off jingle) that has been running on TV 24/7 since Monday, I cannot get that insipid tune out of my head. But moreover, I swear to god I thought it was you who were playing the woman wearing green- after some research, however, I discovered that the woman playing the lead role in that TV ad is comedic actress Julie Mann.
I did buy your Breakfast Taco book for my Sisters’ B-day. She loves it. She wants to invite me over to her place for breakfast but I have yet to go. And I plan on buying your Cookbook for her for X-mas as well.
Ray
Hi Ray! I’m so glad your sister likes the book! Maybe you can take advantage of her breakfast offer on Christmas morning! Breakfast tacos could be a new family tradition!
PS No offense taken, she is very pretty!
Here is a link to the TV ad I was talking about-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH6d4Adm9U
Happy New Year Hilah!!! Awsome Texas Caviar recipe! I’ll be cookin’ up some black eyed peas for lunch today. Have fun on the coast. LUCKEEEY!
Happy New Year to you, too! I had my peas for breakfast!:)
Enjoyed your videos, but also got a kick out of your orange counters! I thought our house was the only one with horrific orange countertops from the 70′s. Ha ha.
Hi Jen! Glad you like the videos. You might get an even bigger kick out of knowing that the countertops are actually new. The originals were that funky avocado color.
Hooray for book sales!
And I wish I had a pool, too, girl. I would totally invite you over!
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