The Kitchen Commune

by Chay Wike

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Kitchen Commune is a well written tutorial guide and recipe collection with allergen-friendly cooking (including gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, vegan, and others) written and curated by Chay Wike. Due out 9th Jan 2024 from Flashpoint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Most people's social/family lives are spent feeding and breaking bread with the ones they care about. Inclusiveness and genuine hospitality invites readers to make an effort to find delicious, healthy, appealing food which they can share with their friends, even the ones who are on restricted diets because of allergies, autoimmune issues, diabetes, or other self-imposed diets (paleo, vegan, low-carb, etc). This book is a bit of a mix and match, with all the major diets at least mentioned. 

The layout is accessible and the recipes are logically arranged: sauces & staples, mornings, salads & small plates, soups & stews, pasta & noodles, veggies, seafood, poultry & meat, and bread baking & sweets. The recipes contain an intro, bullet list of ingredients, and step-by-step preparation instructions. Recipe measurements are given in imperial (American) units. Most of the ingredients will be readily available at any well stocked grocery store. Some few will require specialist retailers or health-food stores. 

The photography throughout is plentiful, professionally styled, and appetizing. The author has also included lots of tips for managing groups with multiple dietary considerations. 

Well written healthy recipes, none of which are too complex. This would make a very good choice for public library acquisition, home use, and gift giving.Worth noting: there is no nutritional info included in the book, which was a trifle odd.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.