Hi I’m Samantha Breslyn, Your NYC Kitchen Sidekick
Hey there! I’m Samantha Breslyn, a Brooklyn mom of two, tech geek turned food lover, and the person behind every recipe you’ll find here at CookFlare Recipes.
If your days feel like a blur of subway rides, work calls, and school runs, I get it that’s my daily life too. And like you, I want meals that are healthy, tasty, and don’t take forever to make.
How It All Started…
Let me tell you a little about me. Years ago, I was knee-deep in IT projects, writing code by day and trying to figure out dinner by night. One evening, after burning what was supposed to be “quick chicken stir-fry,” my daughter looked at me and said, “Mom, maybe you should write down what works so we don’t have to eat pizza again.”
That’s when it clicked.
I started treating recipes like code breaking them down, simplifying steps, and testing until I had meals that worked every single time. And voilà, CookFlare Recipes was born a space to share food that fits real life, not Instagram fantasy.
Why CookFlare
Cooking shouldn’t be stressful or complicated. My mission is simple:
Help busy people cook real, nourishing food with confidence and joy.
Here’s what I believe:
Great meals don’t need fancy gadgets.
You can make healthy food from what’s already in your pantry.
And yes, your kids will eat vegetables if they help you cook them!
What You’ll Find Here
Every recipe on CookFlare has a little story behind it from Sunday morning smoothie bowls to my son’s favorite one-pan pasta (that he now insists on making himself).
You’ll find:
✅ Quick & Easy Breakfasts – Smoothies, keto pancakes, grab-and-go ideas.
✅ Dinner in a Flash – 5-ingredient wonders, sheet pan meals, and “lazy night” recipes.
✅ Global Bites, Local Flavors – Inspired by NYC’s vibrant food scene from Korean BBQ to Italian comfort food.
✅ Feel-Good Desserts – Sweet treats with a healthy twist, because balance is everything.
Real Recipes, Real Life
I cook these recipes in my tiny NYC kitchen, usually with one kid doing homework at the counter and the other asking, “Is it ready yet?” Everything you see here is tested (multiple times!) and adjusted for real people with real schedules.
“With Samantha’s help, I finally made my first great keto meal!” Jenna, Manhattan
“Her recipes are lifesavers. Quick, clear, and actually tasty!” Ray, Brooklyn
Let’s Connect
Got a question? A recipe idea? Or just need dinner inspiration?
DM me on Instagram @CookFlare or click “Ask Samantha Breslyn” on the site I love hearing from fellow food lovers.
Join the CookFlare Community
Sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get:
🍴 Weekly recipes tested in NYC kitchens
🕒 Time-saving cooking tips
🥦 Ingredient swaps for healthier meals
🌍 Food trends from NYC and beyond
Ready to Cook
Start here → Top-Rated Recipes
Or explore the blog your next favorite dish might just be one click away.
Final Thought
This isn’t just about food it’s about sharing stories, flavors, and a little bit of joy in every bite. Thanks for being here.
Happy cooking
Samantha Breslyn & the CookFlare Team