BOOKS & CO - The Small Kitchen Cook - by Ashleigh Butler

Ashleigh Butler has spent a decade living and travelling in campervans across Australia and the US with her partner, Jared. Although she left behind the ideals and conveniences of suburban life, Ash wasn’t prepared to abandon wholesome and conscious cooking, even in their unconventional kitchens.

In her first collection of more than 65 recipes for campervans, caravans and tiny homes, Ash shows it’s simple to cook delicious, seasonal and nourishing food when all you’ve got is a two-burner stove, a small fridge and an incredible, everchanging view.

This is food for adventurers with a mind for sustainability and anyone who wants to eat fresh, wholesome meals as varied as the seasons, locations and friends they meet along their journey.

Published in hardcover format, The Small Kitchen Cook runs to 216 pages, presented with a debossed cover, full colour images and hand-drawn illustrations and lettering throughout.

Exploring Eden Media is an independent publishing house focussed on in-depth, highly curated information for travellers, rather than tourists. Our writers and creators are award-winning tour guides and authors, experienced travellers and passionate explorers.

It was founded by Melissa Connell and Brendan Batty, who both have a passion for travelling slowly, because it’s as much about the destination as it is about the journey.

Hardcover, 216 Pages printed on FSC-certified paper 

Carbon footprint: approximately 2.5kg  Our books plant forests.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR- ASHLEIGH BUTLER

Ashleigh and her partner, Jared Campbell, have spent half a decade travelling across Australia and the US in a campervan. During that time, Ash drew on her love of cooking, experimentation, and work as a cook in small cafes and, often, caterer to the giant gatherings organised by @vanlifediaries (a social media platform of which Jared is a co-founder), to become an expert on preparing great food in small spaces, often with little more than a two-burner gas stove, a good knife, a mortar and pestle and pantry basics.

Her first collection of recipes for tiny kitchens, called The Small Kitchen Cook, will include tried-and-tested recipes perfect for anyone who regularly cooks in small spaces while camping and travelling, in campervans, caravans tiny homes, or even on boats and yachts. It is slated to go on sale in mid-2022.

The book’s focus is on preparing healthy, wholesome food that is easy to store, uses everyday ingredients, and reduces food waste. Recipes are as wide-ranging and delicious as prawn tostadas, oven-less pizza, rogan josh, van-made ricotta, and cacao and coconut mousse. Ash suggests ways to make them vegetarian and vegan in most recipes if they aren’t already.

‘The cookbook targets people who travel in campervans, caravans or other rolling homes. It is also perfect for people who live or stay in tiny homes, studio apartments, or other living spaces with limited kitchen space.’

Ash’s book will contribute to our commitment that our books do more good than harm by helping plant native, biodiverse, Australian forests.

Follow Vanlife on Instagram @vanlifediaries or follow Ash’s personal account – @youandiandthesky