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Reclaiming 1 Hr/ Week of Family Time
View recipe: Reclaiming 1 Hr/ Week of Family TimeThe BEST way I get my teenagers to hang out and talk with us starts at the kitchen island and believe it or not, it’s on a Friday night. We are all sans devices and the only thing obligatory is everyone’s undivided attention. Sounds like a parent’s dream, right? Well, it’s easily one that can…
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NYC Mom/Daughter Trip
View recipe: NYC Mom/Daughter TripYou can’t help but feel your most alive in a vibrant place like New York, the city that never sleeps. It embodies that feeling of endless possibilities, sprawling beauty in places like Central Park, culture on every corner, food for every kind of foodie, and a shopper’s mecca with every designer and label one could…
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The Tables Have Turned
View recipe: The Tables Have TurnedThey separated us moments after we arrived. Just prior, with a name tag and timid smile, standing in the foyer of a Spanish mission-styled building in the center of one of the top-rated most beautiful campuses in the States, neither of us knew a soul in the elbow-to-elbow standing space. My daughter always had a…
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As Tight as Pinched Pierogi
View recipe: As Tight as Pinched PierogiIt’s an art that’s been passed down in my family from generation to generation. The ingredients and technique remain more or less the same. The dough is made from memory and touch; just a few notes scratched on an old post-it, rather than an overly calculated recipe. To achieve that perfect elasticity and consistency, it…
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Whipped Goat Cheese & Fig Spread
View recipe: Whipped Goat Cheese & Fig SpreadPerfect in every way; it’s a little sweet, a little tangy and most importantly these days, quick to whip together. This combination served with crackers has been a go-to for our family for years and after initially buying it prepackaged, in an attempt to explore a little more depth in flavor and texture, I’ve discovered…
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It’s Worth the Mess
View recipe: It’s Worth the MessI cringed every time I would start pulling ingredients out of the pantry or fridge and subsequently, my kids would rush in questioning what I was cooking or baking. While I didn’t mind that specific question, it was the follow-up one that ensued dread. What went from a pleasant personal pastime in the kitchen, quickly…
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Fall Focaccia
View recipe: Fall FocacciaIt doesn’t get much better than the aroma of freshly baked bread coasting through the house. While it’s generally sourdough that lures my family in, the rich scent of savory olive oil and rosemary prompt the question of how soon they can dive in. The subtly crisp outside and fluffy middle, always keeps them coming…
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Summer Tomato Tart
View recipe: Summer Tomato TartOver the years I’ve come to realize summer is truly my favorite season in which to cook and bake. The abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables provides so much inspiration, there’s never a moment for the palate to get bored. While I’m someone who is drawn to savory over sweet, the ultimate is when they…
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An Elevated Cheeseboard
View recipe: An Elevated CheeseboardWhile admittedly my family would be perfectly content opening a bag of chips or a ready-made dip with crackers, the most important element of our happy hours are the conversations and connections that take place around the kitchen island or outdoor patio. However, there’s something to be said for elevating those appetizers to encourage a…
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Zucchini Bread
View recipe: Zucchini BreadThis chameleon of summer vegetables offers a versatility in both savory and sweet dishes. That’s why zucchini, otherwise known as courgette, is one of my seasonal favorites. The options are endless from grilled and served with a drizzle of honey and crumble of goat cheese, roasted with a mélange of squash and sweet potatoes, beautifully…
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The BEST way I get my teenagers to hang out and talk with us starts at the kitchen island and believe it or not, it’s…
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You can’t help but feel your most alive in a vibrant place like New York, the city that never sleeps. It embodies that feeling of…
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They separated us moments after we arrived. Just prior, with a name tag and timid smile, standing in the foyer of a Spanish mission-styled building…
About the Author
I’m Yvonne and welcome to Maison Yvonne Marie! Here you’ll find approachable, elevated food that encourages us to linger a little longer with those who we share it with. What started as a way to unwind after a busy work week when expats, flourished into a weekly tradition that’s now a pillar of my family’s week, and has been for over a dozen years. Join us as we ditch our devices and focus on one another. And at the center is a small bite inspired by the seasons and travel. Each Friday we ring in the weekend with our traditional Friday Family Bites, a moment we long for as the weekdays pass. With a passion for cooking and baking, my daily muses are my collection of cookbooks, beloved cooking shows, family recipes, and a nod to a healthy’ish lifestyle. The result is a spark of creativity in the kitchen and I especially love sharing the fruition with others.
“There is no such thing as good cooking if it’s not made with friendship for the person it was intended for.” – Chef Paul Bocuse
