The Kitchn Archive: 2014

My poor mother. I can only imagine what it’s like to be on the other end of my texts messages: Hey Mom! Can you send me a picture of your pot rack? — Sure honey! Wait, will this end up on the internet?” But I had to show you her solution to a pot rack in a small space. It is brilliant and best of all, she never has to dry a thing! My parents have a long and skinny kitchen that doesn’t allow for an island or central work station.

Just because you don’t have outdoor space doesn’t mean you can’t put your green thumb to good use. Consider installing a greenhouse window in your kitchen. Not only will you be able to grow herbs and small plants, but you’ll have something much more pleasant to look at while doing the dishes. And if installing a new window isn’t in your budget, there are plenty of ways to DIY a version of your own. Here are six inspiring examples.

Who cooks and eats here: Christan Vick & Jenna Novic Where: East Atlanta, Georgia Rent or Own? Own Christan Vick and her wife Jenna share a 60s style ranch house in the East Atlanta neighborhood, decorated in equal parts mid-century modern and southern tradition.

We don’t know about you, but a good speaker system is an essential part of our kitchens. If you’re going to spend some time cooking you’re going to need great tunes. These five speakers will help you rock out while you dice, braise, and boil. No matter your budget or space, one of these will fit in your kitchen.

I always gravitate toward the cheese platter at buffets or cocktail parties. Who doesn’t like cheese, sweet grapes, and maybe a few slices of prosciutto or salami? While there’s zero cooking involved in a putting together a cheese platter, here’s one tiny tip about the best way to serve that big cluster of grapes that makes a big difference.

When we talk about easy, inexpensive ways to improve the storage in your kitchen — any kitchen, even a rental — a pot rack comes up quickly. Hanging your pots and pans for easy access frees up cupboards. But what if you, like me, are just too short for a traditional pot rack? I have tall friends with racks that loom high over their island or stove, but I am not tall enough to manage that!

Ah, college cooking. It brings to mind such sophisticated fare as Rice Krispie treats (eaten straight out of the bowl, of course), thick dining hall chili, boxed brownie mixes and the like. For me, college was when I really figured out that I liked to cook, so my memories actually include somewhat sophisticated foods like homemade pita bread, baba ghanoush, gnocchi, and risotto. I found a few favorite recipes along the way that I still use today — read on to find out which ones!