Once a month we cook a wholesome meal for our co-working community - it's an opportunity for our Hoppers to take a break from their laptops, get away from the desk, sit with their fellow co-workers and enjoy (hopefully!) a meal that has been made with love and intention.
We truly believe both at work and at home, that making the time to sit down to eat with others is essential for our wellbeing. Food is a wonderful way to break down barriers, it's a conversation starter, and a simple meal can really be the highlight of someone's day (it is ours!).
Here, we share our top five cookery books that are keeping our minds inspired and our bellies full this summer.
We've linked each book through to the author, but if you're local to Stroud, we recommend Stroud Bookshop & Yellow-Lighted Bookshop - both will do their utmost to track down any book for you.
A modern way to cook
by Anna Jones
Full to the brim of simple and nutritious vegetarian meals. This book is organised by how long it takes to get a meal on the table, from 15 minutes through to slower, investment cooking. Anna shares tricks learnt in professional restaurants to help cook efficiently.
Community
Salad recipes from Arthur Street Kitchen, by Hetty McKinnon
This book celebrates sharing platters and redefines salads. Ditch the iceberg lettuce and fill your repertoire with big, hearty salads to plonk in the middle of the table for your guests to delve into and serve themselves.
Persiana
Recipes from the Middle East & beyond, by Sabrina Ghayour
Modern, simple suppers with a middle eastern influence. Flick through the pages of this book and you'll quickly want to share these vibrant and sumptuous recipes wiht your friends and family.
Fresh India
by Meera Sodha
We're big fans of Meera Sodha, and her book Made in India is a staple on our shelves, but this vegetarian follow up is ideal for lighter summer meals. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of these recipes, they are truly delicious. Foolproof cooking, even for the novice amongst us.
The Roasting Tin
Simply One Dish Dinners, by Rukmini Iyer
Recommended to us by one of our Hoppers, Marion, this book revolutionises one dish cooking. From meat to fish, pasta to grains, and fruit to chocolate - these are meals that maximise on ingredients and flavour and minimises fuss and washing up! Mid-week suppers the whole family can enjoy.