A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories

Years ago I came across this absolute joy of a cookbook and was all to happy to purchase a second book for a near and dear friend of mine who just relocated to the Pacific NW. A foodie like myself she loves to cook for others and with access to local seafood I know she will enjoy the menus and stories included by authors Renee Erickson, Jess Thomson, and photographer Jim Henkens, as much as I did.

Besides the beautiful cover, wonderful photography, even the blue ribbon to mark a page with...there is not a recipe that I would not make and the first will be the Seared Scallops, followed by the Molasses Spice Cake and many others..Her Birthday Party menu felt like an invitation to join her,can't wait to try Radish and Green Goddess Sauce..., very new version... you can taste it by reading the recipe! There is a quietness to the book, like being on a boat in the calm early morning,dreaming about the great food you will enjoy later in the day,any time of the day...In the 70's my Chefs class, struggled through learning how to cook for a restuarant and I have learned that there are many "Home Cooks" who cook better than some chefs...Some are born to cook,some are born to manage cooks...etc. The Poached Rhubarb and Creme Fraiche Ice Cream stunning! I could go on and on, Definitely a find. some will use it for their own ...Hey, Michael on Martha's Vineyard...LeToille....

I'm writing this review because too few of the reviews talk about how delicious the recipes are! Yes, the writing and photos are excellent. But who cares if the food isn't to die for? With this in mind, here's my review: everything I've tried so far has been divine! I loved the potato salad with preserved lemon; the mussels with tarragon; the chicken with capers; and the zucchini bread. I've never before owned a cookbook where I feel the urge to try every single recipe. My friends have loved the recipes that I've cooked for them so much that they're all ordering the book, too. A must have!

I am a cookbook junkie. I have cookbooks that are old, new, focused on one ingredient, focused on style, etc. I have never had a cookbook that I love this much. It tells a story, Renee's story, and her ongoing relationship with food making mundane ingredients delightful, making exquisite meals possible. I absolutely love the focus on Seasonal - without being preachy or pretentious. It feels personal, it makes the meals attainable and it's gorgeous. Excellent. I was waiting, counting days, for this book and it has exceeded my expectations.

If you are new to cooking, I think you will love this book, especially if you're interested in simple European-inspired recipes. If you've been around the block (and back), there's not a lot of new stuff here. The collection of recipes seems almost "curated" more than anything. Luckily, Erickson has great taste and a distinct aesthetic and even if a lot of this seems very familiar, it's an interesting look into her kitchen. It's just seasonal, ingredient-driven, local blah blah blah. A lot of us have seen this movie many times before. The photos are pretty and the directions seem clear. For new cooks, I'd almost give it five stars. For the rest of us, three.

.....meaning a cookbook, a local history book (culinary and otherwise), a calming book as to seasonal varieties, a book to get you in touch with weather & the effects weather has on crops and seafood; also a sorta survey on tourism in the NW. Good pictures, too. 4.5 Stars, we rounded up.

I gave this book to my parents, who recently moved to the Pacific Northwest. It is one of the most delightful books I've seen in my life. It is thoughtful and charming- the writing is superb and includes great stories, and the food is artful- you will want to cook everything right away. A great find, for yourself or a loved one to enjoy.

The book arrived very quickly, well-packaged and in very good condition.

Excellent book.

O conteúdo do livro é lindo! Mas ele chegou tooodo machucado :/

Beautiful book with inspiring recipes. Not for everyday cooking.