Seafood Journey: Tastes and Tales from Scotland by Ghillie Başan is a cookbook passionately championing the quality and diversity of Scottish seafood. The book also tells the stories of those living and working with the sea, providing fascinating insights into the Scottish seafood industry.
Stories from the Sea: The people behind Scotland’s seafood
Elegantly presented, Seafood Journey: Tastes and Tales from Scotland features 90 recipes, ranging from traditional favourites such as Champion Cullen Skink and My Granny’s Baked Smoked Haddock and Cheddar Go-to, through to the more adventurous and innovative – Saigon Seafood Curry, Native Oysters with Hot Peanut Butter Sauce, and Hot and Sour Mackerel and Pineapple Broth – which takes the humble mackerel on a somewhat exotic journey.
Alongside the recipes, the stories of those working in the Scottish seafood industry – from fishermen to boat builders – add provenance to the quality of seafood found around Scotland, along with a timestamp of current-day cuisine, culture and life in the country.
Scottish seafood: innovation meets tradition
Klondyker Shellfish Stew is a recipe demonstrating the country’s awareness of its rich heritage, whereas Akshay’s Shetland Mussels in South Indian Tomato Rasam, reveals a Scotland enhanced and improved by the influences and people of the present-day.
The mix of old and new, tradition and innovative works brilliantly throughout the book. A recipe for Highland Bouillabaisse on one page, whilst on another Martha’s Minilla with Arbroath Smokies – a dish forging the link between the recipe’s author Martha Doyle’s hometown of Veracruz, Mexico and the Moray coast, where she currently lives.
Colourful, fun, easy to follow recipes
Despite the focus on enthusiastically championing Scotland’s fantastic seafood, Ghillie Başan doesn’t neglect the reader. The recipes are well-laid out, colourful, fun and easy to follow – the final dishes beautifully photographed.
Seafood Journey: Tastes and Tales from Scotland is an unintimidating cookbook which encourages you to be creative, to embrace Ghillie Başan’s celebration of Scotland’s culinary association with the sea.
In doing so, and like any celebration – you’ll be sure to have a great time.
Seafood Journey: Tastes and Tales from Scotland
Seafood Journey: Tastes and Tales from Scotland by Ghillie Başan is available at Amazon.