Hi! I’m Ellie Koper, the cook behind Easy Yum Recipes

I’m a 34-year-old home cook living in the middle of New York City. Easy Yum Recipes is where I share the meals I make at home, the stories behind them, and my belief that cooking should be happy, relaxed, and full of bold flavors.

My love for food started in my grandma’s small Queens kitchen. She cooked by feel and always laughed while she did it. Every pot on the stove had its own story. I learned to trust my senses, taste as I cooked, and welcome the mess. My mother added her own spark. She could turn simple ingredients into warm, comforting meals. Her cooking was how she showed she cared.

I never went to culinary school. Instead, I learned from life. Family dinners taught me to cook for people I love. Weekend trips filled my head with new ideas. Late-night experiments, some great and some not so great, taught me to stay curious and keep trying.

Travel has been one of my biggest teachers. I have sat on plastic stools in Hanoi, eating bowls of pho so fragrant they stopped me in my tracks. I have gotten lost in Paris and found flaky pastries in quiet corners. I have shared meals with strangers, friends, and family, always chasing flavors that make a meal unforgettable. When I come home, I try to recreate those tastes in easy, welcoming ways. No special equipment. No rare ingredients. Just good food that anyone can make.

Cooking is comfort for me. On busy weeknights, it might mean tossing pasta with whatever I have in the fridge. On slow Sundays, it can be letting a stew simmer while my son plays nearby. I love the simplicity of a good knife and cutting board, but I also enjoy using new tools. My air fryer sees a lot of action, and I like trying gadgets that make cooking fun without adding stress.

On Easy Yum Recipes, you will find meals that are clear and simple, but never boring. I want to share recipes that make you want to taste as you go. You will see one-pot meals, cozy breakfasts, and sweet treats you can make even on busy days.

Outside the kitchen, I am a wife and mom to an adventurous little boy who is already excited to try new foods. My family is my biggest reason for cooking. Sharing meals with them is the best part of my day.

If you are here, welcome. I hope you find recipes that feel like home, inspire you to try new flavors, and remind you that cooking does not have to be hard to be special. Let’s keep it easy. Let’s keep it yum. And let’s cook with all our heart.