WELCOME
Hi, I'm Maayke
I am the photographer and recipe developer behind Nutmeg & Vinegar. I live in the North of the Netherlands with my husband and children, where I spend my days making the kind of food I've loved since I was a child: simple, nostalgic, and honest home cooking.
While I mainly focus on modern, easy-to-make meals, I have a deep passion for the history of food. I've spent years studying Dutch, French, and British cookbooks from the Middle Ages to the present day and recreated those recipes to understand how our favorite comfort foods came to be.
This gives me a unique perspective on the "timeless" recipes we still eat today. Many of the best European meals haven't changed much in a hundred years because they are already perfect. My mission is to share these reliable, "no-fuss" dishes with you, showing that homemade food can be both deeply satisfying and simple to prepare
When I'm not developing recipes here, I'm often working with my sister on our other blog, Pastries and Sourdough. There, we share our shared love for traditional baking and fermented breads.
I am so glad you are here. Let's bring some of that "Old World" comfort back to your modern table.
Where it all began
My journey in the kitchen started long before I picked up a historical manuscript. I began experimenting with flavors as a child, and by the age of 15, I was already developing and adapting recipes to make them my own. That lifelong curiosity is what drives me today; I've spent decades refining the art of the "no-fuss" meal so that I can teach others how simple and rewarding home cooking can be.
Food is a shared language in my family. Whether I'm cooking the annual Christmas feast or collaborating with my sister on our blog, Pastries and Sourdough, I am always focused on the joy of a homemade meal. I also love teaching. I want to show you that with a few good staples and a bit of European inspiration, anyone can master the modern kitchen.
What will you find on Nutmeg & Vinegar?
My recipes focus on easy, homemade meals using everyday pantry staples. I specialize in the nostalgic flavors of European comfort food, such as advocaat (a Dutch eggnog), Coq au Vin, traditional Dutch Hachee (onion and beef stew), and slow-cooked Draadjesvlees (an easy stove-top beef stew).
I believe that home cooking should be accessible to everyone. That is why I don't just share ingredients; I explain the how and why behind a dish. You will find regular tips on techniques and essential staples to help you feel confident and "no-fuss" in your own kitchen.
Because I want these European classics to be accessible to everyone, my recipes include clear instructions with US customary measurements (cups and spoons) alongside metric units.
PS: Because I have many readers in the Netherlands and Belgium, a full Dutch translation of this website is also available.
New to the Nutmeg & Vinegar Kitchen?
If you are new here, I recommend starting with one of these reader favorites to get a taste of what we do:
- The Dutch Heritage: My authentic speculaas cookies are the heart of this blog.
- A Weeknight Favorite: For an easy, comforting dinner, try my boerenkool stamppot (mashed potatoes with kale and sausage).
- A Modern Staple: Learn how to make your own brown sugar at home. It's simpler than you think
Nutmeg & Vinegar has been featured in
Some of my favorite recipes
Fun Facts About Me
I can't live without
Cheese!
I hate
Cilantro & eggplant
Favorite ingredient
nutmeg and Speculaas spice mix
Favorite Cookbook
Mary Berry's baking bible
Kitchen Essential
a Dutch oven!
Favorite kitchen style
Traditional French recipes
Let's stay in touch!
Have a question about a Dutch classic or a suggestion for a recipe you'd like to see? I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me at contact[at]nutmegandvinegar.com or follow along on Pinterest and Instagram for daily inspiration.
Love, Maayke