The best way to learn is to make sure that you have an excellent cookbook with helpful recipes.
These fish cookbooks have all been written by female chefs (see also: 8 Female Chef Vegetarian Cookbooks You Do Not Want To Miss)and will help you to become an expert at cooking with seafood. Keep reading to find the best cookbook for you.
Dani Colombatto is a photographer, stylist and writer from Texas. She is passionate about food and shares this passion by developing recipes, blogging and creating cookbooks.
This cookbook contains 115 recipes that take you through all that seafood has to offer- every texture and flavor and a dish for every occasion.
The recipes are detailed and instructive with excellent tips and advice for buying and preparing fish.
Pros:
Variety - There is an excellent variety of recipes to choose from
Recipes - The recipes are instructive and easy to follow
Informative - Alongside the recipes there is some great advice about cooking with fish
Cons:
Photography - The photos are excellent quality but there aren’t enough of them
This book teaches you how to use seafood as a lean source of protein in your diet, and a great source of omega 3 and other nutrients.
It is designed to give you the confidence you need to cook with fish and build it into your everyday life.
You won’t just learn seafood recipes, you will also learn how to adapt these recipes so that you can create your own fish dishes with ease (Also check out Amazing Ina Garten Fish Recipes).
Pros:
Budget - The recipes are budget friendly with affordable ingredients
Sustainable - This book encourages the use of sustainable fish
Recipes - The recipes are easy to follow
Cons:
Photography - There are not enough photographs to accompany the recipes
If you are looking for a bumper cookbook that has everything you need to learn how to become an expert at cooking with fish, then this is it.
It has 500 different recipes, so it will last you a long time.
But it also has more than just recipes - it teaches you about the different types of fish, how to source it, how to prepare it, and how to really make the most of the flavors.
It is divided into helpful chapters based on the different types of fish.
Pros:
Varieties - There are 500 recipes split into 20 different categories offering a great range
Recipes - The recipes are clear and easy to follow
Informative - There is plenty of information and advice which you will find useful
Cons:
Photography - There are not enough photos to accompany the recipes
This is not just a fish cookbook, it’s a comprehensive guide to a healthy and balanced pescetarian diet.
The recipes have seafood, vegetables, wholegrains and are a good balance of nutrients to keep your body nourished and your tastebuds satisfied.
As well as the recipes, it also includes important information on how to follow a pescatarian diet and some weekly meal plans to guide you along the way.
Pros:
Recipes - This cookbook contains 75 well balanced recipes
Informative - The book has lots of advice and useful information
Instructional - The recipes are clear and easy to follow
Cons:
Photography - This cookbook could do with some more photos
This is another great seafood cookbook from Dani Colombatto. It includes 95 fish recipes that take no more than 30 minutes to prepare, making it easy to fit them into a busy lifestyle.
The meals are healthy and well balanced, and the book includes some great advice on how to build a nutritious pescatarian diet and how to show off your ingredients.
Pros:
Recipes - The recipes are simple and easy to follow
Time - This cookbook is ideal for people who have less time to spend in the kitchen
Informative - As well as recipes this book has useful advice and guidance
Cons:
Variety - There is less variety in terms of types of fish than in other cookbooks
This is not just a seafood cookbook, but an inside look into the life of a fisherman and the world of the fish trade - trawling, markets, buyers, chefs etc.
There are detailed guides to preparing the fish with color photographs for guidance, including fileting, skinning, boning etc.
If you want to become a true expert in cooking with fish, this book is the right choice.
Pros:
Informative - This book contains lots of helpful information as well as recipes
Instructive - The photographs go alongside step by step guides for various processes of preparing fish
Experience - There are interviews with seafood experts to give you genuine experiences
Cons:
Complex - This is a complex instructional book rather than a simple recipe book
How To Choose The Best Fish Cookbook
All of these cookbooks would be helpful, but how do you know which one is going to be the best option for you? Here are some things to consider when choosing which cookbook to buy.
Cuisine
Some books focus on a particular type of cuisine, and others will include seafood recipes from a range of different cuisines.
You should check this before you buy the book, as you might want something with a good variety of recipes to choose from.
Instructions
A good cookbook will have straightforward instructions that are clear and easy to follow.
The instructions should be in a step by step format and will ideally include some photographs or illustrations to help guide you.
One of the biggest hurdles beginners will face when cooking fish is preparation - it is handy if the cookbook gives you some information about how to prepare the fish before you cook it (de-scaling and gutting etc).
Recipes
Before you buy a cookbook you should always browse some of the recipes to make sure that they are appetizing to you.
There is nothing wrong with trying new things, but there should be at least a few recipes that you know you are going to enjoy.
You should also check how many recipes are included in the book, as the more recipes there are the more you will be able to learn.
Summary
Using a cookbook that specializes in fish is the best way to learn how to cook with seafood from the comfort of your own kitchen.
These cookbooks make cooking with fish accessible to everyone, even beginners. They are all written by female chefs and include a good range of recipes that are easy to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about cooking with fish.
How Can You Tell When Fish Is Cooked?
If you aren’t used to cooking with fish it can be quite tricky to tell when it is fully cooked.
It will usually change texture, becoming softer and flakier, and will also change color. Make sure you follow the recipe carefully for each type of fish.
Is It SafeTo Eat Raw Fish?
Certain types of fish can be eaten raw, but you have to be careful where you buy the fish from and how you store it.
If you are new to cooking with fish then it is best to stick to more simple recipes and avoid ones that involve raw fish.
Are Fish Recipes Healthy?
It depends on the individual recipe and what additional ingredients are used. A lot of fish recipes are very healthy as fish is a source of lean protein and also contains a lot of healthy micronutrients.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
