From the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 71 per cent of the earth’s surface is water-covered. For as long as human beings have roamed the planet, we’ve looked to rivers, lakes, oceans and seas for guidance and sustenance.
The earth’s watery depths are imposing, often invoking fear within those who lack the sailor’s gene. There’s a condition known as thalassophobia, which is a persistent and intense fear of deep bodies of water and what may lurk beneath the surface.
On the flip(per) side, nautical enthusiasts choose to view the darkened ocean floor as an aquatic paradise which is home to creatures both great and small, fearsome and harmless, delicious and poisonous. The harvesting and preparation of seafood dates back millennia, with archaeological evidence from the Palaeolithic era proving its historical consumption.
There’s also evidence of homo sapiens’ harmony with the sea in ancient Roman mosaics depicting fishermen, as well as Egyptian hieroglyphs featuring fresh fish from the Nile. It’s an ancient harmony tempered with terror and respect, reflected through the existence of historical Gods of the Sea; the Greek Poseidon, the Roman Neptune, and the Egyptian Wadj-wer.
While certain customs, traditions and religions forbid the consumption of some seafood, the feasting of hearty fish, crustaceans and other whole foods in coastal areas known as the ‘blue zones’ have been linked to a longer and greater quality of life. There are five recognised blue zones across the world, including Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Sardinia, Italy and Nicoya, Costa Rica.
The blue zone diet is often used interchangeably with what’s known as the Mediterranean diet. It’s a protein-rich way of life which makes use of ingredients such as seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and – of course – seafood. The cornerstone of this diet is fresh produce which is grown, caught, and harvested locally.
We’re here to simplify the Mediterranean diet even further. There’s one specific facet of the diet which tends to fascinate, and it pertains to those finned friends swimming down under.
From instructional literature on how to scale and gut a fish to treatises on the preparation of oysters throughout history, keep scrolling for a selection of the best seafood cookbooks to help you perfect delicious fish dishes.
Give catch of the day a whole new meaning and take a deep dive into the marvellous world of seafood.
Take One Fish: The New School of Scale-to-Tail Cooking and Eating
A paradoxical instructional cookbook which dictates that there are no rules to cooking fish, Josh Niland delivers a wonderfully refreshing take on seafood. From letting fish ‘breathe’ uncovered in the fridge before preparing and cooking, to revealing the mouth-watering imperfections which make cooked fish so unique and delicious, Niland encourages the casual seafoodie to get experimental.
The book is broken up into five main sections which cover fish in terms of their size, from X-Small options like sardines and herring to X-Large tuna and swordfish. It also includes brilliant tips and tricks for buying and storing your fish.
Buy now £13.78, Amazon
Fish & Shellfish by Rick Stein
Master of the Seas Rick Stein offers up a step-by-step guide to over 60 essential techniques for preparing and cooking all types of seafood. The definitive guide includes 120 classic recipes and is based on methods taught at his Padstow seafood school, complete with handy and gorgeous illustrations and colour photographs.
Buy now £19.27, Amazon
Edible Seashore - River Cottage Handbook No. 5
Beginner and expert seashore foragers rejoice for this River Cottage Handbook by John Wright is your new almanac. Wright transports us to the chilly, salty shores of the British Isles to teach us how to ethically and safely forage for all kinds of crustacea, molluscs, mushrooms and seaweed. The detailed guide is then followed by thirty delicious recipes.
Buy now £18.99, Waterstones
Everyday Seafood
For simple, reliable, and easy-to-master techniques look no further than Nathan Outlaw’s Everyday Seafood. From hearty, winter-ready soups and stews to delightful pasta bakes, dips, and nibbles, you’ll be surprised and delighted by just how many dishes seafood can be incorporated into for a delicious, omega-rich protein boost.
Buy now £14.99, Waterstones
J Sheekey FISH
Beloved by Rick Stein, J Sheekey is an iconic fish and seafood restaurant based in St Martin’s Courtyard in London. Since its conception in 1896, it’s been a renowned, cult-favourite spot for theatre casts and goers alike and earned a reputation as home to some of the finest seafood and shellfish in the capital. This brilliant cookbook immortalises some of the restaurant's most famous dishes, including Dover and lemon sole, brill and salmon, as well as seasonal specials like Esk sea trout with lovage and girolles.
Buy now £18.69, Amazon
Consider the Oyster by M.F.K Fisher
The iconic American food writer beloved by Keats, M.F.K Fisher delves into the history of the consumption of oysters in this beautifully strange treatise on molluscs. A mouth-watering celebration of the controversial delicacy, you’ll be introduced to bizarre and exciting ways to try raw oysters for the first or hundredth time.
Buy now £9.99, Waterstones
Seafood Journey: Tastes and Tales From Scotland
Scotland is home to some of the most delicious seafood in the world. In this ode to those who dish, produce, preserve and cook fish at the northernmost tip of our island, Ghillie Basan takes us on a journey across Bonnie Scotland’s awe-inspiring coastline and islands. The author also offers up an impressive 90 recipes which showcases the produce that she encountered throughout her travels.
Buy now £25.00, Waterstones
Aegean: Recipes from the Mountains to the Sea
It’s the fresh produce, variety of foods and high-quality ingredients that make the Mediterranean diet one of the healthiest out there. Renowned chef, Marianna Leivaditaki has compiled flavour-forward recipes from the sea, land and mountains with a focus on seasonal produce and delicious dishes that are perfect for sharing and enjoying with company.
Fish lovers will delight in the Fried Anchovies and Potatoes and the Whole Charcoal-grilled Fish with Lemon, whilst meat lovers will thoroughly enjoy cooking a Roasted Lamb Breast with Spicy Feta Sauce for an original take on a Sunday lunch. The desserts are also not to be missed - the Crispy Filo Custard and Cretan Mangoes are the epitome of summer and slightly too easy to eat. Scattered amongst the delicious recipes and words of wisdom that she picked up on her journey, you’ll find wonderful anecdotes of her childhood in Crete helping out in her family’s taverna.
Buy now £20.75, Amazon
Sushi at Home: The Beginner’s Guide to Perfect, Simple Sushi by Yuki Gomi
With sushi so readily available in London, many of us have never even considered the prospect of making the delicious Japanese staple at home.
“It may seem daunting, but you needn’t worry about making sushi yourself,” says Gomi, author of Sushi at Home. “You don’t need ten years of training in a Kyoto kitchen, or expensive equipment. All you need to prepare beautiful sushi at home is a handful of ingredients, a few bits of kit, and some time to learn easy methods.”
For all the tips and utensils you could possibly need to make delicious sushi at home, have a look at the article Yuki Gomi wrote here.
Buy now £14.59, Amazon
5 Ingredients Mediterranean: Simple Incredible Food
Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients Mediterranean makes an ideal springboard for those unfamiliar with the cuisine of far sunnier climates. Despite the overwhelming popularity of vegetables like aubergines and courgettes in recent years, not every Brit has been brave enough to embark on a recipe containing the essential veggies.
Fear not as Jamie Oliver has compiled 125 easy-to-follow, empowering recipes that will inspire you to be more daring with your foray into the Mediterranean diet. You’ll be graduating from the Soups & Sarnies section into that of Seafood in no time. In the mood for something vegetarian? 65 per cent of the recipes are meat-free or meat-reduced to save you time and money.
Buy now £8.00, Amazon
