A new fish recipe book has just been launched, written by a local chef and featuring Hastings caught fish.  The book has been supported by Hastings Borough Council as part of marketing the town’s fishing heritage, and support of the fishing industry.

Called ‘A Peace of my Sole’, the book has been written by Ewa Griffiths, who used to run ‘The Swedish Chef Too’ in the High Street.  As well as including many mouth watering recipes - all tried and tested by Ewa - there are lots of local photographs, and line drawing by Hilary Robbins, who is also local.

Ewa - who is Swedish, but who loves Hastings Old Town - said

“I was often asked for recipes at the ‘Swedish Chef Too’, so I thought I’d put together a book of my favourable fish dishes.  And I adore the Old Town, so I thought I’ll make it truly local, with lots of pictures of the fishing fleet and the Old Town.

Photographs of Hastings Old Town are some of the views that made me love the town when I first came here - and still makes me feel that I am at home here.

A lot of research and personal experience went into the concept and planning of the book, and most importantly I wanted to avoid disappointment and a sense of failure because:

• 1. You can’t get all ingredients
• 2.There’s no haddock left in the shop, only cod, but will it make a difference?
• 3. The food you cooked looks nothing like the food in the picture.

The food photography was done like this: I cooked the food, photographed it and then my friends ate it.

The book is intended for those who know how to boil an egg, but feel less sure about cooking fish.  These are clear and simple recipes using ingredients that are easily found in general shops.”

The book is available at the Information Centre in Priory Meadow for £12.99.   
Ewa's books are also available in The Fishermen's Museum, The Shipwreck Centre, The Old Town Museum and The Larder Delicatessen, High Street, Old Town, Hastings.