Rosemary - Castle Cook by Rosemary Shrager

There is only one word to describe Rosemary - Castle Cook. FANTASTIC. Written whilst she ran cookery courses on the Island of Harris.

It is a magical isle and Christopher Simon Sykes has managed to capture its beauty, an island set against blue skies. Needless to say, the food speaks for itself. This is a hearty cookbook, lots of fish, game and meat with robust flavours, all the recipes driven by what is readily available on the hills and off the shores of this enchanted place.

Just imagine the pleasure of meeting the fishermen at the quay and picking over the day's catch. Unadulterated bliss. If you live somewhere where all the produce mentioned is to hand, then this book is heaven sent. For the rest of us, journeys to the local fishmonger and butcher will continue unabated. But don't let that dampen your enthusiasm because if you cook with the finest ingredients, you too can achieve the same results.

Rosemary is largely self-taught. She has worked for Pierre Koffmann and Jean-Christophe Novelli, most would say an education in itself. There are traces of nouvelle cuisine in some of the recipes. Castellated crab is a tower of white crab meat, avocado and tomatoes. Yes, it is a bit fiddly to prepare but it is worth it. And why not, once in a while, push the boat out. You will come all manner of useful tips. When buying crabs, the heavier the better and a good encrustation of barnacles shows that the crab hasn't recently lost its shell.

Have a go at making basil oil, rather than buying a ready-made one. Liquidise a bunch of basil with a spoonful of olive oil. Stir in about 150ml of your finest extra virgin and some salt. Leave in a bowl for a day and then strain through muslin to achieve clarity. This will keep for about three weeks.

With over a hundred recipes, there is something to suit everyone. It is rare to find a book where just about everything appeals and this one does. As Rosemary herself asks, why buy another cookery book but by merely turning the pages, you will be caught up in her enthusiasm of cooking with the best ingredients. It is inspirational.

Encore.

Publication Details:
176 pp. Photography by Christopher Simon Sykes. £18.99
ISBN 1841590495. Published by Everyman.
2001.

Order directly from amazon.