Time and again, the kitchen has been called the heart of the home and for good reason. It has long been associated with the ritual of loved ones coming together, often with the matriarch stirring family recipes while kids chatter and adults break bread over conversation. While different culinary and dining habits may define what a kitchen truly needs to function efficiently, having quality essentials made thoughtfully can truly elevate the experience of cooking and dining.
Cultures and The Anatomy Of A Kitchen
The use of ovens is common in predominant parts of the world, however some culinary cultures such as Indian, Chinese and Japanese among others are exceptions to this rule where cooking stews and curries over an open flame using aromatics and frying techniques are mainstream practices. Such kitchens can make do with a quality collection of kitchen towels to keep the kitchen free of spills and stains at all times.
The use of ovens is common in predominant parts of the world, however some culinary cultures such as Indian, Chinese and Japanese among others are exceptions to this rule where cooking stews and curries over an open flame using aromatics and frying techniques are mainstream practices. Such kitchens can make do with a quality collection of kitchen towels to keep the kitchen free of spills and stains at all times.
A glimpse into Dwell By Chitra’s dining area, who has created an intriguing arrangement with strong accents of blue. Featuring V Living’s Shibori Curtains and Kitchen Towels, the latter used as napkins
While tea towels or kitchen towels are used to wipe chopping boards and other surfaces they may also be used as a supplement for cheese cloth. Due to their striking designs and prints, kitchen towels from V Living can not only be used as they should but can also be utilized in the dining area as a substitute to cloth napkins. Pre washed and pre shrunk kitchen towels like ours and can withstand repeated washing, making them another sturdy investment for your kitchen.
For culinary cultures like French, Dutch and British where baking pies and breads or grilling meat may require running of the oven regularly, it would be essential to invest in a sturdy pair of kitchen gloves and pot holders, especially in ones like potholders and kitchen gloves from V Living which feature thick cotton padded quilting for heat resistance and are made extra long to prevent burning of the hands or forearms while baking or cooking.
Another practice affected by cultural differences is use of aprons. Traditionally, aprons have only been worn by those cooking behind a stove which translates to the help wearing aprons in privileged households or the home makers wearing one, with the latter being true for western cultures where access to personal cooks may be limited or eating out may be a routinely practice rather than cooking at home. However, a changing working culture which is keeping most people at home for prolonged periods of time is also changing who wears an apron and how often. Functional aprons like V Living Aprons which come with an adjustable necktie and spacious pockets meant for accommodating spatulas and washcloths, make for an easy fit into the work from home life where snacking regularly and eating all meals cooked from the home kitchen itself may be the more convenient lifestyle choice.
Different Strokes Of Dining
Regardless of cultural connotations and differences in dining habits, having a beautiful dining table cover that protects the surface of the table and makes the cleaning job for any homeowner less cumbersome is also worth the investment. One may consider purchasing a table cover similar to those from Our collection of table covers which are not only suitable for everyday upkeep but also laying out a formal dining table.
Table runners are a fairly new addition to the mainstream dining table. One may even think of them as an upgrade to table mats which helped keep the dining table mess free. Adding table runners to the dining mix truly enhances the appeal of a dining table, especially when used in combination with a table cover. It also minimizes stains and scratches while also being the base for adding decorative elements like floral arrangements and candles for a formal dining experience.
Regardless of different culinary habits and lifestyles, serveware is an integral part of the eating. Casual meals, tea time and wine and cheese are incomplete without serving trays and bowls of varying sizes. Any homeowner would benefit from investing in items like Wooden trays from V Living which are ideal for creating charcuterie spreads, holding wine glasses, presenting fruits and much more. Ceramic Mugs, especially ones like ours which are handmade and manually glazed to give them a natural finish, are microwave proof and fit snugly into any pair of hands while enjoying a hot cup of cocoa or tea make for great purchases.
Wooden Tray, Ceramic Bowl and Wooden Bowls from V Living As our digital boundaries blur and we foray into an extensive palette of foods and cuisines, it may be crucial for each of us to tailor our kitchens and dining areas to our individual needs. A versatile set of tools that multitask and adapt to a vast range of eating habits are worth the investment, no matter who does the work behind the stove or if a formal dining table is laid out only occasionally. A set of essentials made with high quality materials go a long way in the culinary journey of every household.