About Lisa LeCoump Lisa LeCoump is a food photographer, agricultural expert, and passionate home cook dedicated to sustainable agriculture and seasonal, science-based cooking. Her blog brings together more than two decades of experience in both crop science and culinary creativity, helping home cooks gain confidence through flexible, master-based recipes built on real agricultural insight. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from California State University, Chico, specializing in soils and irrigation, along with advanced training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from UC Davis. Her background bridges the worlds of farming, food systems, and visual storytelling—showing readers how sustainable growing practices directly shape the flavor and quality of the food we eat. She began her career working with California walnut and almond growers, advising on eco-friendly pest management and crop health. Later, as an Agricultural Extension Agent in Thailand and Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in Santa Cruz County, she promoted organic certification standards, EPA compliance, and environmentally responsible farming methods. These experiences inspired her belief that great cooking starts in the soil and that transparency in food systems builds both better meals and a healthier planet. Today, Lisa combines her agricultural expertise with her passion for food photography and recipe development. Her photography celebrates honest ingredients, local farms, and simple seasonal recipes rooted in sustainability. Through her blog, she shares practical cooking techniques, ingredient education, and the beauty of food grown and prepared with care. Follow Lisa’s latest recipes and photography to explore how science, sustainability, and creativity come together in the kitchen.
The best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. They are crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, loaded with flavor and big chunks of chocolate. Made from our master cookie dough base recipe – This recipe is easy, foolproof and sustainable.
Read More »Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
This recipe makes the best Swedish cardamom buns (kardemummabullar) – We updated the recipe so it was still homemade and delicious, but easy and sustainable.
Read More »Kardemummabullar (Swedish Cardamom Buns Recipe)
This is the best Buñuelos De Viento Recipe for a classic Mexican cookie. Updated for a nutty taste that is also healthier and sustainable.
Read More »Best Buñuelos De Viento Recipe
This easy recipe makes the best homemade Sriracha sauce – fresher and brighter than the bottled sauce.
Read More »Best Homemade Sriracha Sauce Recipe
The most amazing cinnamon rolls recipe – Delicious – Easy – Sustainable
Read More »Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
This is the best chia seed pudding recipe because it is easy, versatile, healthy, and is a good make-ahead recipe
Read More »Best Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
This is the best gluten-free recipe for Scandinavian Rosette cookies – based on our traditional family recipe. Updated with nut oil and almond milk to add flavor, but also to make these cookies healthier and climate friendly.
Read More »Gluten-Free Rosette Cookie Recipe
This is the best recipe for Scandinavian Rosette cookies – based on our traditional family recipe. Updated with nut oil and almond milk to add flavor, but also to make these cookies healthier and climate friendly.
Read More »Best Rosette Recipe
These overnight yeast waffles have everything I want in a waffle: a crisp golden exterior, a soft, creamy center, and great flavor from a slow overnight rise. Mix the batter the night before, put it in the refrigerator, and in the morning it is ready for the waffle iron. No complicated technique and only a few minutes of active work.
Read More »Overnight Yeast Waffles Recipe – Crisp Outside, Creamy Inside
This is a collection of some of our best cookie recipes that are made without no butter.
Read More »Cookie Recipes without Butter
Best Bialy Recipe – the easiest to make, and also the best tasting.
Read More »Best Bialy Recipe
Learn how to make the best stracciatella ice cream with creamy vanilla custard and delicate shards of chocolate. Inspired by Italian gelato and made using the Master Pantry ice cream method.
Read More »Stracciatella Ice Cream Recipe (Creamy Italian Chocolate Chip)
Mazanec (Czech Easter Bread) made from a family recipe, updated to be easy and foolproof, with all the best ingredients. A traditional enriched yeast bread served at Easter throughout the Czech Republic — lightly sweet, fragrant with citrus zest, and finished with almonds and a symbolic cross. The crumb is tender and soft, almost brioche-like, yet structured enough to slice cleanly and toast beautifully the next morning.
Read More »Mazanec Recipe (Czech Easter Bread) – Easy & Foolproof Holiday Bread
Our best recipes with maple syrup – These recipes feature the best ways to take advantage of the unique flavor and properties of maple syrup.
Read More »Best Recipes with Maple Syrup
Prickly pear ice cream recipe made with vibrant cactus fruit for a smooth, creamy dessert with delicate berry-like flavor and natural color.
Read More »Prickly Pear Ice Cream Recipe (Unique Fruit Flavor, Easy Method)
Calla company is the shipping division of a flower grower local to Santa Cruz. They are a direct shipper of fresh cut calla lilies sold exclusively for wholesale, but they sell retail for events.
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The best recipes for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day – delicious, healthy and authentic – from our Irish heritage.
Read More »Best Saint Patrick’s Day Recipes
Our favorite uses for our homemade garlic infused olive oil.
A popular appetizer in China, sweet-and-sour spare ribs, or tang cu pai gu recipe is not difficult to make, and is incredible with the right ingredients. This is our best recipe for that famous dish.
Read More »Tang Cu Pai Gu Recipe – Chinese Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs
This recipe for the best marinated cheese works well for two reasons. Marinating the cheese can add flavors, enhancing the cheese and it can keep the cheese fresh for months.
Read More »Best Marinated Cheese Recipe
Malted milk ball ice cream recipe with creamy chocolate malt flavor and crunchy candy pieces. Made with high-quality, sustainable ingredients using the Master Pantry ice cream method.
Read More »Malted Milk Ball Ice Cream (Ultra Creamy with Crunchy Malt Balls)
For the best French Sablé Cookie recipe, also called Sablés pour le Thé, or French Tea Sablés, start with the very best ingredients. This is a basic recipe for French butter cookies that opens up a world of possibilities.
Read More »Best Sablé Cookie Recipe
This recipe for making a lemon cheesecake is very simple. But there are so few ingredients that making the best cheesecake is all about using the very best ingredients.
Read More »Best Lemon Cheesecake Recipe
In the United States we know gingerbread at Christmas made into a gingerbread man, a dark cookie sweetened with molasses. But in Europe it takes all kinds of shapes.
Read More »The evolution of Gingerbread
Margarita ice cream recipe with bright lime flavor and a smooth creamy texture inspired by the classic cocktail. Made using the Master Ice Cream Method for a refreshing dessert.
Read More »Best Margarita Ice Cream Recipe (Creamy Lime, Easy Method)
Tony and I have been earning a living as professional photographers for the past ten years. In that time we have learned a few things.
Read More »Photo Tips for Traveling
This makes the best Hummus – An Easy Instant Pot Hummus Recipe – even the Tahini is made from scratch, but with a really easy method.
Read More »Easy Instant Pot Hummus Recipe
Growing microgreens at home is an easy way to add a healthy, nutrient packed, gourmet ingredient to your salads and other dishes.
Read More »Growing Microgreens at Home
This browned-butter maple pecan pie filling uses rum, real maple syrup, and North American pecans for a richer, more sustainable twist on classic pecan pie. Perfect for Thanksgiving and flawless in our Master Tart Crust.
Read More »The Best Pecan Pie Filling (Browned Butter, Maple Syrup & Rum) — A Sustainable Thanksgiving Favorite