Salmon: A Cookbook    by Diane Morgan Order:  USA  Can Chronicle, 2005 (2005) Softcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Diane Morgan, who tells us that she's hooked on salmon, introduces her cookbook with 'a glimpse into the world of salmon fishing and farming'. She tells us about sportfishing on a research trip to Cordova, Alaska, visiting the Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre in Oslo, and taking in a salmon farm in Aberdeen, Scotland. Morgan then leads us through the salmon life cycle (did you know they're anadromous?), and explains different types. She discusses the challenges of wild versus farmed salmon, and their health implications. A useful section on Catching, Cleaning, Buying, Storing, and Preparing Salmon leads in to the recipes, and includes black and white illustrations on such techniques as scaling and filleting. E. J. Armstrong's mouthwatering color photos of salmon will create an appetite for it if you don't have one already. Recipes are organized under Appetizers; Soups; Pasta, Risotto, and Sandwiches; Main-Course Salads; Main Courses; and Brunch and Lunch. Each recipe comes with suggestions for an accompanying wine, and salmon sources are listed at the back of the cookbook. For starters I like the look of Smoked Salmon Pillows (with goat cheese and chives) and definitely the Salmon Cakes with Satsuma, Red Onion, and Jicama Slaw (I appreciate the fact that the cakes can be made in advance). There's a nice variety in soups, including a hearty Spicy Corn Stew with Chunks of Salmon. I'm not sure about salmon and pizza, though I may give it a try, but I like the look of Orecchiette with Smoked Salmon, Spinach, Lemon Zest, and Pine Nuts and I plan to try both the Salmon Risotto recipes here. In the choice of main meal salads, my dinner party pick would be a Composed Salad of Asparagus and Salmon with a Lemon Vinaigrette and Toasted Pine Nuts but they all look healthy without any sacrifice in either taste or elegance. On to main courses, where my vote goes to a spicy Javanese Roasted Salmon with Sautéed Spinach, and how about Grilled Salmon Brochettes with Mango-Orange-Habanero Mojo? For lunch (or brunch), it has to be Smoked Salmon Frittata with Onions, Potatoes, and Herbs (frittata is our current family favorite for a holiday brunch), though many of these assorted lunch recipes appeal and aren't over-complicated to put together. If you already put Salmon on the table often, or want to get started in doing so for family health, I recommend Diane Morgan's Salmon to you as a very informative cookbook, which includes a wide variety of enticing recipes. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews