Undiscovered Scotland

 

Just occasionally you stumble over a book that is so exceptional that you simply know it's going to be a huge success. "Hebridean Baker: The Scottish Cookbook" by Coinneach MacLeod is one of those very rare books. The say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but, let's face it, most people do. "Hebridean Baker: The Scottish Cookbook" is a magnificent (and quite large) object to handle and look at and it's immediately obvious that the production values are very high indeed. The publishers clearly intended this to be a book that stands out from the crowd and to have a real "wow" factor in a bookshop. They have succeeded superbly.

It does the book no harm at all that it has a very photogenic author who lives in a very photogenic part of the world. Amongst the outstanding collections of photographs that liberally illustrate the book are many of the author, usually wearing a kilt, and many of the beauty of the Hebrides. And quite a few of one surrounded by the other. Don't worry, though, there are also plenty of great photographs of food.

But let's not forget why we're here. It may be a beautiful object that's been exquisitely produced, but at the end of the day, this book sets out to be a cookbook. I should go for full disclosure here. I've always been more of a consumer and appreciator of Scottish cuisine than a producer or preparer of it. But having got that out of the way, I have to say that the recipes and the way they are organised and presented would certainly tempt me to gift this book to my significant other half, who does enjoy cooking. To me, this seems to be a collection of recipes intended to be actually used by readers and the book can be highly recommended on this score, too. The author sums this thought up well in his welcome: "So, if you're in Stornoway or San Francisco, Hebridean Baker: The Scottish Cookbook is a celebration of community, connection and the joy of sharing food with loved ones. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or simply indulging in a quiet moment of self-care, I hope these recipes bring warmth, comfort and a taste of the Scottish islands to your home."

The rear cover description gives another view of what you can find between the covers: "Fàilte, I'm Coinneach, the Hebridean Baker. Welcome to my Scottish kitchen. Mastering the art of Scottish baking is more than just perfecting shortbread, scones and clootie dumpling. It's about capturing the heart and soul of Scotland in every dish. This cookbook is a celebration of Scotland's timeless culinary traditions and an introduction to new recipes sure to become future family favourites. Hebridean Baker, The Scottish Cookbook invites you to explore a delightful array of heart-warming soups and pies, show-stopping desserts and mouth-watering cakes, along with irresistible biscuits perfect for dunking in a cup of tea."