Cookbook of the Seven Seas

Dagmar Freuchen's Cookbook of the Seven Seas, pp.[4] 256; 1968 published by Evans, is a culinary tale of adventure. Upon first glance of this book I got this overwhelming sense of riding the high seas... casting the anchor and exploring culinary delights. Considering that the boat is still in the habour and that I haven't left my kitchen... I've probably been watching one too many pirate movies. Recipes range from gourmet to exotic. Glancing at the cover art one may think this cookbook offers mostly seafood dishes, it does not. There are plenty of meat and vegetable dishes. Desserts too! There are seven sections... hence the title... and they are:


1) The North and Baltic Seas - Denmark, Scandinavia, N. Europe, Russia and Greenland
2) The Mediterranean Sea - France, Spain, Italy and Greece also N. Africa and Near East
3) The Red and Arabian Seas - Arabia, East Africa, Pakistan and India 
4) The Seas of China and Japan - also includes Korean and Vietnam  
5) The South Seas - the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand 
6) The Caribbean Sea - Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica also continental Latin America  
7) The Sea Around Us - New York, Connecticut, Fire Island and International cuisine of America  

Each section has an introduction which is a personal recollection regarding Dagmar and her husband Peter, an Arctic explorer. In part this book becomes and homage to her late husband and their travels or should I say culinary adventures together. The introductions to each section read like a diary entry rather than an explanation. Making it all that more personal and interesting to read. No full page photographs just fun illustrations throughout. You also learn about Smørrebrød. Smørrebrød are Danish open sandwiches. Lots of recipes to consider but I don't think I will be making the Avocado Coffee Milkshake anytime soon. - JW