Guest Author - Rachel L Webb

This is a beautiful book full of Stein's memoirs, people he met and plenty of sunshine add to that lovely recipes by a great chef and you're set to get cooking. This is a book that will inspire you - if it doesn't get you cooking -none will!

Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes was published in 2007 to accompany the British T.V series of the same name, first broadcast on the UK'S BBC2.

I hope it will get another airing, because after poring over the beautiful photography in the book I want to see the filming too.


It’s almost a travel diary with the incredible photo’s enticing you into not only the recipes but the glorious countries of the Mediterranean too.

As Stein visits the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Mallorca as well as mainland France, Italy, Greece, Spain , Turkey and Morocco he brings plenty of flavour into this big hard-back cookery book.

Most of the recipes come with a photograph and all have a write-up of where how Stein came by the original version. He then introduces each recipe with enthusiasm and some local history that make them even more appetising.

All fans will love the insight as Stein shares more than the recipes call for. This book will make a great present for all cooks, foodies and travellers out there - and a fabulous one for Stein fans.

A nice feature of the book is the Key Mediterranean Ingredients section which it lists country by country and an essential techniques and basic récipe section.

From a basic stock to preserved lemons this recipe collection is guaranteed to keep you cooking and dreaming of blue skies!

Rick Stein OBE (Order of the British Empire) owns and runs the
several eateries in Padstow, Cornwall and also runs the Padstow Seafood Cookery School.

He was awarded his OBE in 2003 for his services to British Tourism.

Some of the recipes that are included in Mediterranean Escapes include:-

Baked Greek Omelette
Focaccia
Spiced Octopus Salad
Easter Lamb
Seared Swordfish Steaks
Moroccan Chicken
Seafood Couscous
Spaghettini
Crema Catalana
Kleftiko
Moroccan Orange Salad
Almond Cake with Almond Ice Cream
Sicilian Orange Cake