In the introduction Brody notes that most of us when we were growing up knew fish in one of two incarnations--fish sticks or tuna-on-rye. What we didn't know was that seafood comes in an amazing variety of forms, that it is one of the most important and low-fat sources of dietary protein available, and that it can be cooked easily, even by fish novices, in an almost infinite variety of ways that are delicious and go well beyond the frozen fillets of childhood.
Part One is a comprehensive overview of seafood lore that includes chapters on how to select fish; how to clean, fillet, and store it; basic seafood cooking techniques; and full discussions of seafood safety and the overwhelming health benefits of adding fish to your diet. Part Two is a collection of some 250 recipes for hors d'oeuvres and appetizers, soups, salads, and main courses, including special sections on grilling and microwaving. Among the enticing dishes are Shrimp and Onion Pizza, Seafood Tabbouli, Orzo with Clams, Fish Tacos with Cilantro Pesto, and Oven Steamed Sea Bass with Crisp Vegetables.
This is the most marvelous SIMPLE seafood cookbook I ever had. The recipes are easy, interchangeable and delicious. If you do not have the fish that is described and you read on you will find a variety of fish that you can use for most of her recipes. This is my seafood bible!
In which I learn to cook fish!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Last year I mentioned to my mother that I really wanted to learn to cook better, and shortly thereafter this book arrived in the mail. She had found it in a second hand store and figured it couldn't hurt. That, as it turned out, was putting it lightly! I -love- this book. Many of the recipes are fast and easy, as well as being flavorful and healthy. There's a great variety of options, from soups to salads, broiled, baked and grilled fish and shellfish. My personal favorites are the Tilapia with Herbs and the steamed mussels. My roommate last year swore that he couldn't stand fish, so I cooked only for myself when making these recipes. One night I made a double portion of the tilapia, intending to save one to take for lunch the next day. When I took them out of the oven, my roommate sheepishly shuffled over and asked if he could have some. I asked him what happened to the whole not liking fish part, and he said it just looked and smelled so good... He devoured it, and from then on I always made sure to have extra! I'm not sure why people in other reviews have been so disparaging of this book. I love it, and use it constantly. My only complaint is that there are no pictures, as I like pictures in my cookbooks, but that is relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for good fish recipes!
Good Seafood Book is Great!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Like Wayne Scott, I don't at all agree with the other reviewer, who found Jane Brody's seafood book mechanical, or uninspired, or in any way disparaging the culinary pleasures of seafood. Brody is not writing for that seafood afficianado. Instead, she's touting the pleasures of seafood to the uninitiated--a role she also held before researching this book. She came to fish for health reasons, as so many of us have. And she gives us every reason to be glad we did! The recipes are delicious, well written, and simple. I'm thoroughly sold on it. And now I'm ready to try her other cookbooks.
Seafood Book is Great
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This book is an excellent source of information for someone who loves fish and seafood and wants to prepare it someway other than deep fried or bathed in butter. Brody is somewhat of a cultist, but she likes food and she likes fish. Despite another review I read here, I did not find that she was cold and not interested in cooking or even better eating fish. I enjoyed reading the book and I have liked the several I have tried.
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