The Big 10 Fish & Seafood Cookbook byTerri Dien, Rockridge Press, Callisto Publishers, 185 Pages

"My hope is that this book will become an extended lesson

for you…..Hopefully, you’ll be able to take these as foundational

guidelines and create some signature versions of your own.”

-Terri Dien, Introduction page x

I like fish but never really learned how to cook it. The only recipes I knew were fried fish with cornmeal or baked in the oven. After reading this fish and seafood cookbook, I have learned there are numerous ways to prepare any fish or seafood meal with confidence.

Terri Dien shares the “truth about mercury” in fish; what to know about the smell of fish and whether it is fresh; the best fish and seafood, and what to look for when buying fresh or frozen fish. She also shares “buy seafood only in months with an ‘r’ in it; it’s for good reason (page 10).”  Dien includes what equipment is needed for preparing these meals and how to remove pin bones from fish fillets.  Information on how to build flavor with “fats and oils; citrus and acid; and herbs and spices” along with “a note on variations.”

There are ten chapters with measurement conversion, resources, references, and index references concluding this wonderful seafood cookbook. Not being a fan of frsh tuna, mackarel, trout or mussels I decided to concentrate on the fish I do like and chose a recipe from Chapter 5: Tilapia and prepared Tilapia Piccata. The reason I chose this recipe is because I love Chicken Piccata and decided it would be just as good as the chicken version.  Well, I was not wrong in this decision. I prepared this dish and fell in love immediately. I did my own variation and created a “signature version of my own.”  As I write this portion of my review, I am smiling and very proud of myself.  I have included a short video of the outcome that I posted my Facebook page receiving nice compliments.  I believe I will start doing this on a regular basis to encourage people to start or increase their cookbook shelves.

Other recipes I intend to prepare are:

Roasted Salmon with Compound Garlic Butter; Salmon Fillet Provencale En Papillate;

Tilapia in Mustard Sauce; Shrimp Rumaki; Crab Cakes; Clams Casino Manhattan Clam Chowder; Tilapia Piccata (I made this and it was simply delicious). I forgot to take a picture of this great recipe dish.

I definitely recommend The Big 10 Fish & Seafood Cookbook for all seafood lovers who prepare their own meals. You will some familiar recipes and new recipes to test and evaluate. Bon Appetit!

I received this book from Callisto Publishers in exchange for an honest review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.