Irish seaboard lore, recipes old and new, nutritional information and personal anecdote combine with the faintest hint of nostalgia in this refreshingly original mix of common sense and practical cookery. Sourcing, identifying, preparing and storing seaweed for culinary use are all clearly explained in addition to a remarkable collection of over 150 easy-to-follow, creative and delicious recipes, including tips and hints. Designed to facilitate seaweed users from novice to experienced, there is also a full seaweed recipe index for ease of use and a chart outlining the nutritional properties of each seaweed. Over 100 colour photographs and original line drawings represent not simply the foods featured, but also provide a glimpse of a unique west of Ireland lifestyle and landscape. Beautifully written and illustrated, the compelling pages highlight seaweeds as a valuable, flavoursome and versatile food recognized for its positive impact on health. A book to cherish for both its presentation of seaweeds as a culinary component in a highly approachable way, and for its charming sense of time and place.
Prannie Rhatigan is a medical doctor who has been harvesting and cooking with seaweed, and gardening organically, since childhood. Born and raised in the Northwest of Ireland she has a lifelong interest in the connections between food and health.
She holds a BA Honours degree in Psychology (NUI Galway, 1982), a medical degree, (NUI Cork, 1990) and is a qualified General Practitioner (MICGP 1994).
She has worked on the national cardiovascular strategy programme and represented the Irish College of General Practitioners on the national steering group for the implementation of Smoke Free at Work in Ireland. An experienced GP she now works mainly in Public Health.
A member of Slow Food she has represented Ireland s finest food abroad on several occasions and regularly gives workshops and lectures on seaweeds and cooking.
Her most recent personal work includes exploring the links between genetics, the environment and the benefits of live foods on health and well-being.
Married to Johnny Waters they have one daughter, Kate, and live on the idyllic coastline of Streedagh, Co Sligo.