My mother needed one more Christmas present for my husband. She had read somewhere of a new book titled Hunt, Gather, Cook by Hank Shaw. She asked me to order a copy and bring it home with me when we traveled there for the holiday weekend.
One week later, I found myself on my 2nd deer hunting trip…of my life. First trip was unsuccessful. This trip concluded with us bringing home some deer meat. I’ll spare you the details of this process. You should thank me.
On our way home, still a little unsure of what I just witnessed, I realized we could put Bradley’s new book to use! Hunt, Gather, Cook has so many great recipes in it. With dear meat in the freezer and this book in our hands, I do believe we have plans this weekend.
Should you hunt, cook game for others, or know someone that hunts, this is the perfect book. It truly is. BUT it is not only a cookbook for meat eaters. In addition to game, Shaw also provides recipes for anything you may gather in the wilderness. Wild greens, fruit/berries, wild plants are just a few other sections that are included.
There are a few perks of this books that should not be forgotten. One is the beautiful black and white photos taken by Holly Heyser that are sparingly added in. The black and white photos are so pure-which seems fitting for this book. Fish and not hunt? Hunt, Gather Cook also includes some information and recipes for seafood.
Fire, a restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio recently hosted an evening with Hank Shaw. A few things on the menu?
Local greens, wild parsnips, apples, paprika syrup walnuts and maple ginger vinaigrette
Cattail pasta, curly dock, miller farm braised short rib ad quick pickled perslane
Venison, spiced bush berry rub, duck potatoes, sauteed spinach and nettles
Hank Shaw’s introduction ends like this: “Eating wild food is not only a rejection of industrial agriculture and the food manufacturing establishment, it is also a celebration of something truly magical: a meal you cannot buy in a store at any price. And what’s more: You brought it home, all by yourself.”
And with that, Bradley and I will enjoy a meal we brought home with our own hands! -Quinn
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