These days, schedules are hectic and many families don’t have as much time to prepare meals and get everyone in the same place at the same time. Lots of kitchens have moved away from the old table-in-the-middle setup, with the table replaced by a utilitarian island where people can pop in and out with ease. Others have cozy banquettes that are used mostly for breakfast, while some still stick with the tried-and-true traditional kitchen table. Below there’s a mix of all these kinds of eat-in kitchens and the foods they seem to suggest. If any of them make you think of a special dish you’d enjoy there, please add it to the list in the Comments.
NICOLEHOLLIS
With seating for eight and a warm palette highlighted by copper pots and pans overhead, this kitchen is just the spot for enjoying Grandma Mimi’s tomato soup and a crisp of bread with extended family.
Mimi’s Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, sliced thinly
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried basil
35 ounces canned Italian-style tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ cup flour
3¾ cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
1. Heat the butter in a kettle. Add the olive oil, onion slices, thyme, basil and pepper. Cook until the onions wilt. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, and stir to blend. Simmer 10 minutes. 2. Place the flour in a small bowl. Add 5 tablespoons broth and stir into a paste, then stir it into the tomato mix. Add the rest of the broth and simmer 30 minutes. Stir often so the soup doesn’t stick or get scorched. 3. Run the soup through a food processor or food mill. Return it to the heat and add the sugar and cream. Simmer 5 minutes, then serve.
Mimi’s Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, sliced thinly
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried basil
35 ounces canned Italian-style tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ cup flour
3¾ cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
1. Heat the butter in a kettle. Add the olive oil, onion slices, thyme, basil and pepper. Cook until the onions wilt. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, and stir to blend. Simmer 10 minutes. 2. Place the flour in a small bowl. Add 5 tablespoons broth and stir into a paste, then stir it into the tomato mix. Add the rest of the broth and simmer 30 minutes. Stir often so the soup doesn’t stick or get scorched. 3. Run the soup through a food processor or food mill. Return it to the heat and add the sugar and cream. Simmer 5 minutes, then serve.
Structures, Inc.
While I don’t think the gentleman in the portrait is old enough to be a pilgrim, he could easily pass as a Mayflower passenger’s descendant. This breakfast nook looks like just the spot for an intimate Thanksgiving gathering or could serve as the kids’ table at a larger one.
Rachel Reider Interiors
Cool coastal blues call out for summery snacks in this lovely eat-in kitchen on the coast of Massachusetts. A pitcher of iced tea with fresh mint from the garden and watermelon salad would make a lovely lunch here.
Roundhouse
The lively green accents and bold poster in this contemporary kitchen can help a family wake up in the morning. It’s calling out for some cereal boxes in cartoon colors and freshly squeezed orange juice. The owners can work up to blasting Kraftwerk tunes later in the day.
180 degrees
If you’re a bit dark and moody in the morning, this is just the spot to rev up without running into anything too sunny and cheerful, like a big glass of OJ. Get your espresso on, munch on a few dry English-style biscuits and read the newspaper until you’re ready to brighten up.
Don Ziebell
This rustic, elegant kitchen includes a cooking fireplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, try The Open-Hearth Cookbook: Recapturing the Flavor of Early America, by Suzanne Goldenson with Doris Simpson. How about experimenting with their recipes for cornmeal biscuits and pumpkin pudding in here? It could also be good to have this book on hand this winter for when the power goes out.
Goff Architecture
There’s something a little nostalgic about this kitchen booth. If this were a restaurant, it would be my favorite breakfast joint — I can practically smell the bacon in here. Add fried eggs over medium (runny yolks, nonrunny whites) and wheat toast with jam.
Jessica Helgerson Interior Design
While the overall style of this home is a fresh take on Mediterranean style, there’s a touch of French flair in the kitchen. During parties, the high marble-topped table is just the spot for laying out baguettes and brie, fresh green grapes and champagne.
Jessica Lagrange Interiors
The style of this kitchen reminds me of one of my all-time favorite movie kitchens, Meryl Streep’s kitchen in It’s Complicated. In fact, the only problem I had with that movie’s plot was that Streep hired Steve Martin to mess with perfection and renovate it. I suppose every romantic plot needs a meet cute.
But I digress. In honor of Streep’s and Martin’s characters, I declare that this kitchen calls for a late-night croque-monsieur.
But I digress. In honor of Streep’s and Martin’s characters, I declare that this kitchen calls for a late-night croque-monsieur.
Reaume Construction & Design
This elegant yet comfortable kitchen table takes its design cues from an English cottage. It’s just the spot for enjoying a casual teatime. Wouldn’t it be fun to pull out that tiered cake stand you never use, cut some crusts off the sandwiches and delight in some scones and pastries in the afternoon here?
Wynne Taylor Ford
The bright colors and abundance of light in this kitchen make it a great spot for kids to do their homework. Entice them with healthy but yummy after-school snacks like fresh fruit, nuts and turkey and avocado wraps.
Filament Lighting & Home
Don’t limit the breakfast nook to morning use, especially if it’s one this intimate and stylish. This table is made for a comfort-food kind of night, like a chili supper on a cold winter’s evening.
LINCOLN BARBOUR PHOTO
This kitchen has captured some of that magic feeling of an old-time ice cream parlor. You know, the kind where the soda jerks wear paper hats and there’s a big juicy cherry on top of everything. Though this room’s look is updated and more sophisticated, it’s a perfect spot for letting a few friends perch and serving them sundaes with Aunt Tish’s homemade hot fudge sauce.
Tish’s Hot Fudge Sauce
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
½ cup light cream or milk
1 tablespoon butter
1½ squares chocolate
½ teaspoon vanilla
Put everything but the vanilla in a saucepan. Boil 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the vanilla. Serve hot over ice cream.
Tish’s Hot Fudge Sauce
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
½ cup light cream or milk
1 tablespoon butter
1½ squares chocolate
½ teaspoon vanilla
Put everything but the vanilla in a saucepan. Boil 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the vanilla. Serve hot over ice cream.
Teddy Edwards
This is such a cozy and comforting kitchen with the dark green and sandy colors, brass fixtures and cabinets that resemble antique kitchen furniture. Pull up to the island and enjoy Mom’s grilled cheese — Vermont cheddar on homemade oat bread.
V.I.Photography & Design
This room, with its well-worn table, heavy wood beams overhead and heath-like range surround, is calling out for shepherd’s pie — steam will rise out of the pie as soon as you stick your fork in it. The kitchen has the feeling that every ingredient could be collected from the surrounding landscape.
Dresser Homes
Speaking of pies, the only thing missing from this farmhouse-inspired kitchen is a fresh-from-the-oven apple pie. It should be presented in a dented antique pie tin that has been passed down for generations, and served on Grandma’s transferware.
Does your kitchen inspire you to fix a favorite recipe? If so, please share it with us in the Comments section.
More: 12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?
Does your kitchen inspire you to fix a favorite recipe? If so, please share it with us in the Comments section.
More: 12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?
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