I rarely encounter beautiful cookbooks written specifically for the galley, but I recently received a copy of Exploring Galley Cuisine by Barbara Marlow, yachtswoman and wife of David Marlow, of Marlow Yachts fame. This gorgeous 70- page hardcover cookbook published by Marlow Marine Cruising Club presents a series of seasonal menus based on her years of cruising and cooking experience.
Based in Snead Island, FL, the focus of the menus is fresh seafood, local fruits and vegetables. Barbara themes her lovely three to five course meals to changing seasons, special occasions and exotic ports throughout the world. The Asian Dinner includes an appetizer of Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Spicy Salmon Steaks, Chinese Coleslaw and Fresh Fruit for dessert while the New Year’s Table features homemade Sangria, Paella, Marinated Onion Salad and Ice Cream.
Barbara also offers a selection of soups, as starters or whole meals and offers terrific ideas to flavor plain ice cream – Toasted Coconut/Almond Ice Cream is simply vanilla ice cream mixed ½ cup each of toasted coconut and sliced almonds then drizzled with Amaretto liqueur; Mocha Ice Cream with Rum Fudge Sauce blends mocha ice cream with crushed peanut brittle and store-bought fudge sauce with dark rum and Ginger Ice Cream combines a pint of vanilla ice cream with crystallized and powdered ginger. Absolutely simple and brilliant…and inspirational (how about vanilla ice cream with chopped chocolate bars, walnuts and caramel/rum sauce?)! Barbara even offers ideas to make some seemingly complex recipes easier – the Wild Blueberry Pie has a “pat-in-pan” piecrust (no rolling) that is pre-baked and the filling is cooked stovetop.
It is clearly a well-thought out, well-written cookbook that offers Barbara’s philosophy of cooking and dining – eat fresh, seasonal and organic foods and adapt the recipes to the ingredients you have in your area. Exploring Galley Cuisine is available for purchase for $45.00 plus shipping and handling. It may be ordered exclusively thru Marlow Marine Sales, Inc., at 800-362-2657 or email sales@marlowmarine.com