Multiple homes, multiple talents. The theme of many is unmistakable in the life of bestselling cookbook author and food stylist Yvette Van Boven. She has the enviable luxury of straddling Paris and Amsterdam, where she co-owns Aan de Amstel, a restaurant and catering company, and a dream job that allows her to toil in the kitchen all day, testing and tasting recipes that may become the backbone of her new cookbook. She’s also responsible for the playful illustrations you may have seen peppered through her first works Home Made and Home Made Winter as well as in a host of prestigious publications like Bon Appétit, Elle and Food & Wine).
With Home Made Summer, Yvette transports us to Provence, where she spent many summers with family and which largely inspired the book.Through vibrant salads, beautiful tarts, luscious cocktails and lively drawings, she shares her passion for the summer bounty. Without question, this is unadulterated joy in book form. Learn a bit more about Yvette and enter to take home a copy of her book below!
Describe what you love about France in three words.
Food, Charm, Language
How has your time in France influenced your work?
Oh in many so many ways. The French country taught me recipes and it taught me all about produce and country living (nature, funny expressions and long-lived traditions). Living in Paris has shown me another side of French living- the big city life where we can all explore wonderful food and meet exciting chefs. Everywhere you work and feel comfortable, it seeps into your work, one way or another.
The first place you go when you return to Paris?
We live near the Canal St. Martin, so the first thing we usually do is stroll down the canal with our dog Marie and go for drink at one of its little bars or cafés. We often discover new little places that have just opened their doors. It’s an exciting area and we feel fortunate to be a part of it.
Your favorite French dish to eat and your favorite dish to prepare?
That is a difficult one! I guess that cassoulet is one of my favorite dishes ever overall. I’m in love with beans and I love sausages very much. Then again, I also really REALLY enjoy a French cheese platter served with a light, green, leafy salad. We have taken over that tradition of serving salad with cheese after dinner.
I’m also hooked on éclairs, pain de Tradition, petit salé, or paté en croute. I like to make bouillabaisse during the summer, artichokes with vinaigrette and the challenge of a croquembouche. (I learned how to make one with a bottle of champagne inside!)
A lesson that life in France has taught you?
Patience. I’ve never waited so long to get anything done as I have in France.
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1/ Leave a comment below sharing your go-to dish during the summer (mandatory)
You will receive one entry for each action (please leave a comment per action). Entries must be posted by Thursday, June 20th to qualify. The winner will be drawn randomly and announced here on Friday, June 21st!
WINNER: Kristen of The Kale Project! I’ll be in touch shortly to arrange for delivery. Thanks for playing!
