BOOK REVIEW II – The Small Kitchen Cook by Ashleigh Butler
Published by Exploring Eden Media – exploringedenbooks.com through Imray
‘A joy to read and possess – follow the cuisine journey with Ash!’
There is no doubt that first time campervanners and caravanners have to get used to the tight confines between the vehicles’ body panels. Moving around comfortably inside can be a challenge and requires a mindset change for all involved.
Considering that everything including the kitchen sink has to be carried around and accommodate four plus people – all venturing out, seeking great adventure.
These voyages of discovery while on board or on foot when stationary, generate an appetite that needs to be satisfied asap. But with today’s modern home kitchens, with their fancy worktops, preparation and serving islands and plenty of space to store away everything, on board a camper, it is a different story.
With this in mind, and to make meal preparation as simple and ergonomically as possible, Ashleigh Butler’s book – The Small Kitchen Cook, fits the bill. It’s has a subheading ‘Thoughtful recipes for tiny kitchens’. This colourful 200 plus page softback, published by Exploring Eden Media, consists of seven main chapters, beginning with specifying the kitchen unit section (with the help of her partner Jared*).
In living the somewhat claustrophobic, nomadic lifestyle for over a decade around her native Australia and the USA, provided Ashleigh with plenty of food for thought (pun intended) to put this impressive menu of more that 65 recipes together. “All you need is a two-burner stove/hob, a small fridge and the open countryside!”
Sustainably is in focus throughout, with fresh, natural, wholesome meals created en route, using local ingredients, with seasonal aspects in mind. In fact, a generous amount of pages are dedicated to the four seasons and for meal nourishments that suits best during these annual period changes annually. Waste management is key also.
But before heading out on that voyage of discovery best to start the read the book towards the end, to where there are invaluable tips and instructions on how to pull together Home Made Essentials, such as; deodorant, lip balm, toothpaste, cleaners and most importantly mosquito repellent.
Well done Ash! This books reminds of the Mobile Diner quick recipe column in Caravan Cruise magazine, collated by the authors of the Smart Cooking series of books.
*Jared turned this hobby into a career having successfully converted Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz vans.
Words from the publishers:
“The Small Kitchen Cook by Ash Butler is our upcoming book for travellers who move around in campervans, RVs and caravans. Ash has spent the last 15 years travelling and living in campervans across the US and Australia running the Instagram profile @vanlifediaries (she also featured in the documentary – The Meaning of Vanlife).
For every book we sell, we also plant a tree as we’re really conscious of the need for our books to do more good than harm.”
