New cookbook offers RI seafood recipes

(WPRI) – Living in the Ocean State, we have access to some of the freshest fish around.

That’s the idea behind “The Fisherman’s Table," a new seafood cookbook with recipes and input from the fishermen of Newport.

Author Laura Blackwell talks about her inspiration behind the book.

“I always liked getting stuff growing up, my parents would be picking berries and getting crabs and stuff. I hung around by the dock because I wanted to learn to get lobsters myself with a recreational license,” said Blackwell.

She says that fresh and local ingredients are what is important in making healthy meals.

“More people need to understand what the local varieties are. Why our food is so good is because it’s fresh and right out of the water. The local stuff is going to be better; it’s going to taste better because it’s been out of the water less time.”

The chapters are broken down according to Rhode Island specialties: clams, conch, crab, and fish. The book is not a typical cookbook because it is not only a collection of recipes; it’s more of a handbook for Rhode Island seafood.

In addition to fresh seafood, there are berry dessert recipes and sweet treats in there too.

Laura’s cookbook can be purchased at www.fishermanstable.com or the Newport Lobster Shack.