American-style kitchen: interior photo and why it is not suitable for Russia

The main features of the American style

In our article, we want to help those who want to create a characteristic American-style kitchen - pay attention to small, interesting subtleties.

The first condition is that the space for the kitchen must be spacious enough, because in the American style two rooms are connected, and you get a kitchen-living room or dining room.

In our apartments, the kitchen area leaves much to be desired. Therefore, it is more convenient to implement an American-style kitchen interior design in a studio, private home, or cottage. When planning to create a bright kitchen environment, it is important to estimate the size of the allocated room - whether there is enough space and daylight. The more windows, the better.

On a note! To arrange such a kitchen, desire alone is not enough; in addition to a suitable room, you will need the possibility of ventilation. Include the cost of the hood as an expense item.

Kitchen zoning

The second condition is zoning. Place an island in the center of the kitchen. The chosen style does not allow you to do without this; arranging furniture around the room is not suitable for it. Thanks to its beauty and usefulness, the kitchen island is firmly among the furniture popular among Americans.

The issue of zones is very important in this case - each item has its own function. If you have already chosen an island, you can do without buying a kitchen table, especially for a kitchen-living room.

The kitchen of a home in America has an additional room - a pantry in which household appliances and utensils that do not require constant use are stored. If you purchased a kitchen island, it will successfully replace such a room, so choose an island with shelves.

Proper designation of zones helps to make better use of the room and avoid clutter in it. It is not necessary to separate everything with walls; it is enough to arrange the furniture comfortably and use the right color scheme.

For example, a bar counter. It not only plays the role of an additional work surface, but also acts as a wall, separating the kitchen from other rooms.

American design is based on:

• simplicity;
• naturalness;
• high quality.

Elements of pretentiousness and complexity are inappropriate here.

It is better for the dining area to be located in the most spacious part of the kitchen, where all family members can feel comfortable.

A small table or bar counter will make up the breakfast area, where you can relax over a light lunch.

So far we have been talking about preparing the area for the kitchen, and we can consider it renovated and ready to fulfill its purpose. But there is no furnishings yet, except perhaps the kitchen island.

Decoration of the dining area

Regardless of the number of family members, the dining area is made large and spacious. In some cases, it is possible to use a bar counter or kitchen island for these purposes.

Take the necessary measurements before buying furniture: buying “by eye” can lead to wasted money.

It is worth considering that for American cuisine it is not enough to have an island, a dining area and a separate table. If possible, it is recommended to additionally arrange a separate place for rest, lunch and breakfast. A coffee table or bar counter is perfect for these purposes.

Furniture selection

In Hollywood films, it is striking that in the most ordinary families the atmosphere is quite luxurious. There are two secrets to this - the choice of good materials from high-quality raw materials and an elegant look. Everything is simple and functional.

Choose a direction to your taste - retro, classic - and buy the appropriate furnishings.

Color combinations

It all depends on the owner. Think about what you want to see around you after the work is completed.

Have you settled on natural colors, which include beige, green of all shades, and brown? The result will be an elegantly and sustainably executed kitchen in the American classic style.

And if you prefer an extraordinary solution - the style of an American cafe - feel free to turn to bright, tantalizing colors, but in moderation. Having chosen the main luxurious color, highlight it with another, more restrained one. Excessive diversity in the kitchen can cause irritation over time.

Many people believe that Americans mostly have white-fronted furniture and strive to create American-style white kitchens. Let's not argue about foreign priorities. The main thing is your taste – your choice.

Typical dishes and products

• American cheese is a dairy product that is made from rennet cheeses, melting cheeses, cottage cheese, butter and other dairy products with the addition of spices and fillers by melting the cheese mass (at a temperature of 75-95 ° C) - made from a mixture of cheeses, most often Colby and cheddar.
• Peanut butter

Tomato soup and toast with American cheese

• Clam chowder is a seafood soup, most often made from small shellfish.
• Chili con carne - a spicy meat dish with the addition of chili peppers
• Jambalaya - a dish of rice, meat and vegetables
• Taco
• Bagel
• B-B-Q
• Steak
• Hamburger
• Gumbo
• Mashed potatoes
• Banana bread
• Ham
• Sandwiches
• Cobb (salad)
• Corn dog
• Corn bread
• Corn chowder - milk puree soup made from corn
• Cornflakes
• Waldorf salad
• Caesar salad"
• Tabasco sauce
• Thousand Island Sauce

Sweet

• Pecan Pie
• Pumpkin pie
• Russian tea cookies (contrary to the name, they are not a dish of Russian cuisine)
• Brownie - chocolate cake
• Chocolate Chip Cookies - cookies with chocolate chips
• Donuts
• Muffin - a small cupcake
• Banana split
• Cheesecake
• Marshmallow
• Maple syrup
• Popcorn

• Cookies with chocolate
• Jambalaya
• Brownie
• Biscuits, traditional in the southwestern United States

Practical advice

We draw your attention to subtle details in American kitchens:

• unnecessary dishes and all kitchen utensils are not visible;
• an abundance of shelves, small cabinets;
• no piles of sets of pots, glasses, sets and other things;
• lack of collections of all sorts of little things for decoration;
• There are no still life paintings hung.

Then it seems naked and ugly? But you chose an American-style kitchen, so create the coziness accordingly. Take the time to select accessories: original cutting boards, knife rack, drying rack, etc.

They can be unusual in shape, color, design. Even the choice of ornamental plants will make its contribution. Surprise with positive, unexpected captions.

Remember the Soviet “Everyone is healthy - me, we, you, if your hands are washed.” Something from this area, but more modern in sound and performance.

That is, we return to what we have been talking about from the very beginning - rationalism, practicality and simplicity. Everything is in order to feel comfortable and cozy, and not in order to surprise neighbors, friends, relatives.

Lighting should also serve the same purpose. It has already been said that it is preferable to have a lot of it and as naturally as possible. If it doesn’t quite work out, you need to think more carefully about options with artificial light. Heavy chandeliers and large lamps are definitely not suitable. Discreet chandeliers, or better yet, spotlights in places where light is often needed.

Remember! Lamps serve only for illumination, and not for piling up as many expensive items as possible.

Old refrigerators and gas stoves will not fit into the interior of an American-style kitchen with a bar counter and a kitchen island. You will have to fork out for built-in equipment. And in general, for modern kitchen appliances: blender, toaster, grill, dishwasher, etc.

Products made from natural fabrics – tablecloths, napkins – will help provide a real American atmosphere in the new kitchen.

What did we get in the end? To realize your dream of creating an American-style kitchen, you will have to work hard:

• provide a room with a large area;
• correctly define kitchen areas;
• think over the purchase of furniture and its color;
• combine decoration items with decorative elements.

It doesn't come cheap. But the game is worth the candle. If you have made such a kitchen, in the coming years you can enjoy the fruit of your hands and not worry about a new design - the style you created is always in fashion.

World cuisine: American cuisine

America is a country that has absorbed many cultures, religions, traditions and tries to support it in every possible way. We all know the favorite American delicacies, like pizza, hamburgers, French fries, hot dogs, which actually originate in different parts of Europe, but have taken root and become so loved by the people of America that they are directly associated with this country. But there are other dishes that decorate the everyday and holiday table of the average American. I tried to collect all the most common dishes that are familiar to every American since childhood. Stewed beans

Canned beans stewed in a saucepan in any sauce.
It can be tomato sauce, in corn syrup or with brown sugar. Can be served as a separate dish with toast, or as an addition to eggs and bacon for breakfast. Coleslaw
Shredded cabbage salad dressed with mayonnaise and buttermilk.
Sometimes with the addition of carrots, apples, radishes, peppers, onions and even pineapples. It is an addition to the main dish, such as barbecue or deep-frying. Clam chowder New English is usually served on a bun, if not, then always with croutons (crackers)
from Clam - a word used in the USA to designate any edible bivalve shellfish, except mussels and oysters, and Chowder - a general name for several types of traditional American clam chowder with the addition of either milk or tomatoes.
Usually potatoes, onions, and celery are added to shellfish. Other vegetables are rarely added, although chopped carrots may be added for color. Sometimes parsley and bay leaf are added to the soup. In the novel Moby Dick, the first chapters of which take place in Massachusetts, one of the chapters is entirely devoted to seafood soup (and is called Chowder), but in the Russian translation this soup turned into “boiled fish.” Manhattan served with fish crackers T-bone steak
Everyone knows that Americans love various barbecues and steaks.
T-bone steak is probably the most popular of all. The steak got its name because of the bone, which is located in the middle and looks like the letter T. Before going on the grill, the steak is marinated in spices to taste. Usually this is salt, pepper, chili, garlic or herbs. Serve with grilled vegetables, French fries, boiled corn, baked potatoes or fresh seasonal vegetables. Stuffed mushrooms
Porto Bello champignons are mainly used because...
They are large and easy to stuff. The filling can be very different, to suit every taste, from spicy to tender. Most often, soft cheese, garlic, herbs, vegetables, hard cheeses, sometimes meat (minced meat) and always butter, optionally butter or vegetable, are used as filling. This is to make the mushroom juicy. They are prepared both on the grill and in the oven. Chicken Alfredo
This is chicken fillet cooked in a creamy sauce and served with pasta, most often fettuccine, but you can use any other type of pasta.
Add pre-boiled pasta, chopped raw fillet to a frying pan with melted butter, pour in cream and simmer until cooked. If desired, you can add herbs, vegetables, cheese, shrimp. Stewed meat
Stewed meat is found in almost all cuisines of the world, for example, stew, azu, goulash.
French ratatouille, etc. It is already difficult to determine who was the pioneer in preparing this dish, because... its roots go all the way back to the Roman Empire. This dish includes meat, usually beef or lamb, as well as vegetables of your choice, but more often these are potatoes and carrots. All ingredients are simmered together over low heat. Sometimes flour is added to the gravy to thicken it. Stew should be something between a soup and a main course, so it can be served either in deep bowls, if there is a lot of gravy, or in flat plates. Served with croutons. Hash (mash)
The name comes from the French word hacher - to cut.
This dish became popular during World War II due to the fact that it was possible to use leftovers and put them back into use. Hash consists of meat, potatoes and carrots, finely chopped and mushy. The original recipe calls for corned beef because... During WWII, fresh meat was very limited and spoiled quickly, but when salted it was stored longer and did not require additional costs for salt. Now it is allowed to use any type of meat, as well as vegetables and rice. Mostly served for breakfast with a fried egg and toast or biscuit, and listed on menus as a homemade dish. In the American South, they serve hash from leftover barbecue, barbecue sauce and rice. I think that almost everyone at home prepared something similar to the morning, when potatoes, sausage or sausages are left, and an egg is added on top. Quiche
This is basically a vegetable open pie made of puff pastry, which is filled with a prepared mixture of eggs.
The French insist that this is exclusively their national dish, but historians say the name comes from the German language and was mentioned in English cuisine back in the 14th century. In America, the most popular type of quiche is with asparagus and mushrooms. Remember how Monica in the TV series “Friends” was making quiche and lost her false nails? Macaroni salad
For me, this is a very controversial salad.
And not because the calories are off the charts, but simply because not everyone will like it. But Americans love it and often cook it for holidays, just like we do Olivier. And so, this miracle salad consists of boiled pasta, celery, radishes, parsley, sweet peppers, onions, and dried tomatoes. The dressing is made from mayonnaise, cream, a spoonful of sugar, vinegar, salt and mustard. Depending on the location, the recipe may vary. For example, canned tuna, avocado and cucumber can also be added to the above. An American treated me to this salad in honor of Memorial Day, which is celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of May. For the sake of decency, I managed a couple of spoons of this salad, as my friend said, according to my mother’s recipe, but I couldn’t do it anymore. Simply because it was as if a vegetable salad had been mixed with a side dish and meat (it included chicken fillet). You know, in kindergarten the teachers did this to quickly feed the children, who dug into the food and pulled out what they liked. But there is no arguing about tastes and I will be happy to read your positive reviews about this salad. Mac and cheese
Well, who among us hasn't eaten macaroni and cheese?
I think that's it. Americans also love this dish, but they cook it differently than we are used to. Add a good piece of butter, milk, cheddar cheese to the boiled pasta and mix well. The result is not a cheese crust, but a cheese sauce. Sometimes Dijon mustard and other cheeses are added to taste. Now this dish is available as a semi-finished product - the box of pasta already contains a bag of cheese and milk powder. Gumbo
Gumbo is a true Creole dish that is especially popular in the southern states of America, particularly in Louisiana.
Every year, Louisiana hosts a gumbo-making competition that turns into a fair with fun, eating different variations of gumbo and determining the winner. Gumbo contains vegetables (onions, tomatoes, bell peppers), as well as meat. chicken, sausages, ham, but the original recipe consists of seafood and Creole spices. The key to gumbo is the roux, a fried mixture of flour and butter that serves as a thickener for the broth and gives the dish its brick-brown color. Traditionally served with rice. Pecan Pie
A sweet custard pie made primarily from corn syrup and pecans.
Salt and vanilla are added to the pie; whiskey and chocolate can also be used. The pie was invented in the early 20th century to use new corn syrup and became very popular among housewives of the time. Pecans are very high in calories, but also very healthy - they are high in thiamine, zinc, magnesium and manganese. Pecan pie is often served with whipped cream. Caesar Salad
The salad is named after the author of this masterpiece, Caesar Cardini, of Italian-American origin.
In the classic version, the main ingredients of the salad are wheat croutons, romaine lettuce and grated Parmesan, dressed with a special sauce, which is the essence of the recipe. Caesar dressing is a type of mayonnaise consisting of raw egg yolk whisked with olive oil and seasoned with garlic, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. In its classic form, the salad turns out to be quite light, so more high-calorie ingredients are often added to it, for example, a hard-boiled egg, fried chicken or shrimp. Jambalaya
Jambalaya is also a Creole dish that is reminiscent of Spanish paeia and the familiar pilaf.
The dish is based on rice and all kinds of sausages, including ham, as well as a trinity of vegetables - onions, celery and red bell peppers. In modern versions, tomatoes, fish, chicken, seafood can be added to rice and do not contain ham or sausages. Plum pudding
A traditional Christmas delicacy that is familiar to Americans from childhood and borrowed from English cooking.
The pudding must be very spicy so that the aroma is pronounced and attracts all guests to taste it. The texture of the pudding is very moist, soaked in your choice of fruit or citrus juice, brandy, dark beer or other alcohol. Prepared several weeks before the holiday, then “ripened” in a cool place and served on the first day of Christmas. Previously, a special bag was used to prepare Christmas pudding, but since the beginning of the 20th century it has been widely replaced by pudding molds. Served with lemon curd, cream or brandy cream. Plum Pudding and Cream Brandy Eggnog
This is a sweet, spicy drink made from raw chicken eggs and milk.
It is a traditional Christmas drink served on the Christmas table. The usual composition of eggnog is egg, sugar, milk and/or cream, alcohol (rum, whiskey, brandy) if desired. Seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg. Eggnog is often used as an additive in tea, coffee, baked goods, and ice cream. Available commercially during the holiday season and have a soy milk-based vegan equivalent. Pancakes
Well, who doesn’t love fluffy warm pancakes for breakfast?
Americans know a lot about this. Their pancakes differ from ours in diameter and volume. American pancakes are served with maple syrup and butter, piping hot. Various fruits and berries are often added to pancakes; the most popular are strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and bananas. Banana Bread
Banana bread has won hearts not only because of its unique taste, but also because of the simple way it is prepared.
The dough base includes flour, salt, sugar, butter, eggs and plenty of chopped bananas. Sometimes walnuts are added for taste and aroma. The delicacy turns out like a cupcake, but elastic and soft like bread. It is served plain, but sometimes topped with maple syrup or smeared with peanut butter. Bagel
A bagel is like a bagel, only more fluffy.
Very popular in New York. The bagel can be salty or sweet, sprinkled with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cumin, salt, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, all together or without sprinkles. Most often, bagels are eaten with filling. It is customary to eat it stuffed with soft cheese, salmon, pickled cucumber and herbs, but there are many variations with chicken, meat, vegetables and other seafood. Bagel with tuna and grilled vegetables.
Of course, I covered only a small part of everything that people in America eat, but this is the most popular.
I would be glad to read reviews from Gossip Magazine residents who have personally encountered American cuisine. In the future, I will continue to make posts about the cuisine of different parts of the Earth, if, of course, this is in demand. To be continued...
PS This post is not a repost.
Please respect the work of the author, who spends time and effort creating the post, and do not blatantly poke at it. Thank you.