A UCLA survey has shown that the spot in which people spend the most time in their homes is the kitchen.
This is probably because this space is not only one in which sustenance is provided, but also an ideal place to catch up with other family members.
From parents enjoying a glass of chilled white on the kitchen island to little ones talking about their day at breakfast, there are so many good times to be had when food and beverages are the center of attention.
If, like most Americans, you lead busy lives and wish to make an effort to spend quality time together as a family, the kitchen is also the perfect place to do so.
Read on for inspiration on how to motivate all your family members to gather together to make gourmet meals.
Table of Contents
Choosing Practical Yet Visually Appealing Meals
If you have read Jamie Oliver’s book, Jamie’s 15- Minute Meals, then you know that whipping up everything from a soul-soothing lamb meatballs to a spectacular mushroom farfalle is easy to do.
These meals are always visually impactful as well, as they contain an array of colors and are served on beautiful trays, wooden boards, and colorful dishes.
For your first family-cooked meal, look out for dishes that you can post on Instagram and other social media channels, as the ‘Likes’ and comments will certainly motivate your kids to keep posting more.
Letting Kids Have a Say
A typical gourmet meal has at least three courses, so try to ensure everyone in the family gets to cook one meal they love.
Your kids can choose the starter, you can choose the main, and your partner or spouse (or a grandparent) for instance, can choose the dessert.
Spread yourself into teams if you are a large family. In order to ensure consistency, write down the names of different culinary traditions on pieces of paper and place them into a bowl (you could have Italian, American, Spanish and other cuisines).
Pick one and try to make sure that all stages of the meal are based on this tradition.
For instance, if you select Spanish cuisine, you might start out with a charcuterie board featuring jamon ibérico and Spanish cheeses, continue with an easy vegetable paella, and end the meal with a caramelized crema catalana.
Ensuring You Have the Equipment You Need
Most family kitchens are fully stocked with equipment like knives, hand beaters, and pots and pans, but make sure you also have child safe cooking equipment such as knives with guards that keep kids’ fingers safe.
Kids should also have stepping stools if necessary, so they can reach the same workspaces their parents are working on.
Make sure they have a cute apron, mittens (and a chef’s hat if they want one!), as well as non-slip bowls, whisks, a lightweight mortar and pestle, and other equipment for smaller hands.
When cooking with very young children, keep them away from the stove and use back burners instead of front ones, so their hands can never reach the heat.
Enjoy Gourmet Meals Out
In order to get your whole family to get excited about food, it helps to dine out frequently, so that everyone can sample a wide variety of flavors.
You don’t have to break your budget to expand your family’s palate.
Food markets, food fairs, and local plant-based food restaurants will all introduce your kids to healthy, flavorful, attractive dishes they may then wish to emulate at home.
Most families are so busy that they can barely find a few moments to spend together.
Because the kitchen is such a popular spot, why not prepare beautiful meals together?
Inspire yourself on chefs who teach you to cook easy yet impressive meals, invest in important equipment, and dine out so that your whole family can acquaint themselves with local, regional, and world cuisine.
