Kirjahaku

We spend so much of our lives in our kitchens: cooking, cleaning, eating. These tasks can be a source of immense joy and satisfaction, especially when shared with others. The Shared Kitchen features more than 80 flavourful and creative vegetarian and vegan recipes, photographed across share houses in Meanjin (Brisbane, Australia). In these spaces, housemates navigate sharing kitchens, food and life together. The food is unfussy and flexible, inspired by the simple joy of cooking something delicious with what you already have — whether it was grown in your garden, bought in bulk at the market or discovered at the bottom of the crisper drawer. Each of the 16 chapters features a common fruit or vegetable — from apple to zucchini – and showcases new ways to put these staples in the spotlight, and save them ending up in the compost when you have too much to know what to do with.

This cookbook is a celebration of shared homes and their most iconic dishes – the food designed to feed the crowd, without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. It is a book about community, warmth, love and the unique connection of a nurturing home, where shared meals are central to the environment. Plus, without getting preachy or “clean ’n green eating” about it, all the recipes in the book are vegetarian and vegan. The eight chapters are captured in different share houses throughout the inner, sunshiny, suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. Each chapter has a distinct theme, as dictated by the culinary skills of those living in the featured house: A breakfast spread menu; Hungover brunch; A leisurely long lunch; Eat it with your hands; Mexican-inspired feast; A Mediterranean dinner party; Pasta night; and Comfort food spread. Through its clean and bright photography – all taken by Clare’s own friends and roommates – The Shared Table is simultaneously luxe and sincere. It’s a warm and inviting cookbook that every share house needs on their communal bookshelf.