Review: Fishy Fishy Cookbook

I was recently sent a review copy of the new Fishy Fishy Cookbook published by New Holland Publishers. 

If you've never heard of Fishy Fishy let me tell you a little bit about them. Fishy Fishy is a relaxed, informal seafood brasserie whose ethos is to promote fresh, local and seasonal seafood. There are two restaurants, one in Brighton and one in Poole, right on the quay.  The restaurant was the brainchild of none other than Dermot O'Leary and two of his friends James Ginzler and Paul Shovlin.  I've never been to Fishy Fishy yet but as I spend an awful lot of time in Poole I plan to go in next time rather than standing by the door reading the menu and salivating.

The Fishy Fishy book is jam-packed with fish advice and recipes. The book starts with a foreword by Dermot O'Leary before launching into the introduction which contains useful information like how to buy fish, fishing methods and how to prepare it.  The book is then split into sections - Starters, BBQ & Al Fresco, Everyday Fish & Shellfish, Special Occasions, Sauces, Side Dishes & Desserts.

The book is really good quality, with matt pages and a clean and simple layout with great photography. At over 180 pages it's also quite substantial.

I will admit to being slightly scared of cooking fish but I am getting braver and there are a few things I am going to try. Oysters and squid are still out of my comfort zone but I may have a go at the scallops with chorizo and perhaps the moules mariniere as it is one of my favourite seafood dishes and I've never tried making it before.  Other things I plan on attempting are the hot and spicy prawns, cornish sardines with pesto and the sticky mackerel.  I love most types of seafood although I'm still not great when it turns up on my plate actually resembling a fish!

One thing I did find interesting in the book was the chart detailing which fish were in season and when. Eating fish "in season" is not something that has really occurred to me before but it stands to reason doesn't it. I'm going to make a serious effort to eat seasonal fish, especially as I am a big support of the Fish Fight.

On the whole I adored this book and hope that I will get braver and use it a lot and of course, if I ever get to Fishy Fishy in Poole, I'll let you know what it was like!

You can buy the book direct from New Holland publishers here.

love & kisses

Mrs M x