Posts

The Sea And Me

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 Keeping My Mind. I’ve been out at sea for the past 15 years now; it’s all I do. I wait for the tide to rise high enough to get the boat out of the Scottish harbour, travel five miles out into the North Sea (the most treacherous sea in the world), and then drop my anchor and grab about three hours of sleep. Of course, I check the weather beforehand, and as much as I try to be careful, the weather can change on a whim. I wish I didn’t have to sleep, but everyone knows that’s impossible. It can be even more dangerous when you’re asleep, not just because the weather can change suddenly, but also because fishing trawlers have a nasty habit of catching fire. There’s a mountain of electrical cabling mixed with a fuel tank containing 2000 litres of diesel, plus other hazards that I won’t bore you with being on board. This is a video I took not long ago, it was of a trawler on fire close to me. So yes, it is the most dangerous job in the world, just one wrong step and it's game over! Yet,...

Breakfast - Beetroot, Boost Smoothie *IRFANS'S RECIPE*

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 A vibrant, nourishing way to start your day.

The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Cod

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  Buy Fresh Cod From Our Trawler Cod is a true classic of the sea, mild, flaky, and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s the star of a golden fish and chips supper or featured in elegant baked dishes, cod never fails to impress. 💛 Light in texture yet rich in nutrients, this crowd pleasing fish is a staple for home cooks and chefs alike. Let’s dive into why cod deserves a permanent spot on your table! ⚓🍽️ 🌊 Why Cod is a Kitchen Favourite ✨ Mild, Flaky, and Oh So Satisfying Cod is loved for its gentle flavour and soft, tender flakes. It’s the perfect blank canvas for bright herbs, zesty citrus, or rich buttery sauces. 🍋🧈 Unlike stronger fish, cod has a clean, subtle taste, ideal for anyone who prefers lighter seafood dishes that still feel hearty and comforting. 🔥 Versatile for Every Style of Cooking Cod shines in so many recipes: 🍳 Pan fried for crispy edges and juicy flesh 🧂 Baked with herbs, garlic, and olive oil 🍋 Poached in fragrant broth for a delicate dish ...

Turkish Omelette and a Rolling Deck: A Fisherman’s Quiet Philosophy

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We don’t just eat fish when we’re out at sea for days on end. People often imagine that life on a trawler is nothing but cold winds, hard work, and plates of whatever we’ve pulled from the water. But life is never as narrow as we assume. I spend a surprising amount of time in the boat’s tiny kitchen, and when the weather allows, I cook a BBQ out on deck. Out here, meals aren’t guided by clocks or calendars. They’re guided by the sea. When the tide shifts or the fish move, we adjust with them. And so breakfast might be a full spread of meats and warm bread rolls at three in the morning on a Monday, because the sea doesn’t know what day it is, and it certainly doesn’t care. There’s something strangely liberating about that. When you’re removed from the world’s routine, you begin to see how much of life on land is ruled by habit, by expectation, by invisible pressures that push us through the day without ever asking if we’re truly living. Out here, the ocean shows you how simple life can...

Grilled Langoustines in Garlic Butter *North Sea Recipe*

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  🦞 Grilled Langoustines in Garlic Butter Serves: 2–4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Buy fresh langoustines directly from our boat Ingredients 8–12 fresh langoustines (raw or pre-cooked) 3 tbsp unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp lemon juice (plus wedges to serve) 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Optional: a pinch of chilli flakes or smoked paprika for extra flavour Instructions Prepare the Langoustines If raw: Split the langoustines in half lengthways with a sharp knife. If pre-cooked: Simply cut them in half to expose the flesh so the flavour can absorb. Remove the intestinal vein if visible. Make the Garlic Butter In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the olive oil over a gentle heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds , just until fragrant — do not let it brown. Stir in the lemon juice and a pinch of salt and ...

Filleting Haddock at Sea: A Master at Work on Children’s Hope Trawler

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Our TikTok Page Filleting a fish on dry land is one thing. Filleting a fish on the open sea, with the deck lifting under your feet and the North Atlantic rolling beneath you, is something else entirely. On our trawler, Children’s Hope , it’s a daily task that demands precision, confidence, and a calm hand. And in the video I recently filmed, Greg shows exactly how it should be done. This post takes you through what makes a great haddock fillet , what to look out for when you’re working at sea, and why Greg’s technique is worth paying attention to. Aboard Children’s Hope : Conditions That Shape the Skill Life on a trawler isn’t a steady kitchen counter. The boat breathes with the water. You learn to move with it, brace your knees, and keep your hands sure even when the deck tilts. That’s why good filleting at sea is more than technique. It’s balance, timing, and experience. Greg has all three, and it shows from the moment he picks up the haddock. Greg’s Approach: Fast, Clean, Controlled...

Brown Butter Crab with Garlic, Chilli & Toasted Sourbread Crumbs *North Sea Recipe*

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 Sweet, rich, spicy, crunchy, this crab dish is pure heaven and nothing like the usual basic recipes Buy Fresh Crabs From Our Scottish Trawler This dish takes fresh crab and pairs it with warm, nutty brown butter, fragrant garlic, gentle heat from chilli, and a crispy toasted sourbread crumb that adds insane texture. It’s luxurious, modern, and bursting with flavour. Perfect as a starter, a sharing plate, or a main with pasta. ✅ Why This Crab Dish Is Special Brown butter adds deep nutty richness Toasted sourbread crumbs = next-level crunch Fresh herbs and lemon lift everything beautifully Ready in 10 minutes Feels like a fancy restaurant dish 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2) For the Crab 200g cooked white crab meat 80g cooked brown crab meat (optional but amazing) 2 tbsp butter 1 small garlic clove, finely grated ½ red chilli, finely chopped Zest of 1 lemon 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley Salt & black pepper For th...

The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Mackerel

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 Mackerel is one of the ocean’s true flavour powerhouses! Rich, bold, and bursting with nutrients, this oily fish brings incredible taste and impressive health benefits to your plate. Whether grilled to crispy perfection, pan fried in minutes, or enjoyed smoked straight from the packet, mackerel is a must try for any seafood lover. Buy Fresh Mackerel From Our Fishing Boat Get ready to dive into everything that makes mackerel such a superstar, from flavour and nutrition to cooking tips and tasty pairings. 🌊💙 🌟 Why Mackerel Deserves a Place on Your Table 💥 Big Flavour, Big Personality Mackerel is famous for its rich, savoury taste and naturally oily texture. Unlike mild white fish, it offers real depth, moist, flaky, and incredibly satisfying. Its bold flavour means it pairs beautifully with: 🍋 Zesty citrus 🌿 Fresh herbs 🌶️ Aromatic spices 🔥 Smoky, grilled dishes Mackerel isn’t shy, and that’s exactly why people love it. 🍽️ A Versatile, Easy to Cook Fa...

The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Lobster

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 Fresh, luxurious, and unforgettable, explore the ultimate guide to cooking delicious lobster. Buy Fresh Lobsters From Our Boat Lobster is one of the most luxurious and celebrated shellfish in the world. Known for its sweet, succulent meat and rich flavour, it’s a true showstopper whether served simply with melted butter or used in indulgent dishes like pasta, bisque, or classic lobster rolls. Despite its reputation, lobster is easier to prepare at home than many people realise, and incredibly rewarding. This guide explores everything you need to know about choosing, cooking, and enjoying delicious lobster, along with its nutritional profile and top preparation methods. Why Lobster Is a Seafood Icon Unmatched Sweetness and Delicate Texture Lobster meat has a naturally sweet, buttery flavour with a firm yet tender texture that sets it apart from other shellfish. The tail offers dense, meaty bites, while the claws provide delicate, silky flesh prized by chefs and seafood lovers ...

Bubbly Beer Battered Haddock *North Sea Recipe*

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 Crispy, golden, light as air - the ultimate chip shop classic made at home.. Buy Fresh Haddock From Our Trawler This haddock recipe uses an ultra aerated bubbly beer batter that fries up insanely light, crisp, and golden. The secret? Cold beer, a touch of cornflour, and a quick whisk that traps tiny bubbles for the perfect crunch. This is the one fish and chips recipe readers will bookmark forever. ✅ Why This Recipe Is Incredible Super bubbly batter for maximum crispiness Haddock stays tender, flaky and juicy Uses simple ingredients you already have Quick to cook and absolutely delicious Perfect for Friday nights, fish feasts, or summer evenings 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2) For the Bubbly Beer Batter 120g plain flour 40g cornflour 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp sea salt 200ml very cold pale ale or lager (more if needed) Few ice cubes (to keep the bowl cold) For the Haddock 2 haddock fillets Extra flour for dusting Salt and black peppe...

The Ultimate Guide to Delicious Squid

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 Buy Squid Directly From Our Trawler Squid is one of the most versatile and underrated seafoods available. Tender, mild, and beautifully adaptable to countless cuisines, it’s a favourite in Mediterranean, Asian, and modern British cooking. Whether served lightly grilled, crisped into calamari, or simmered in a rich stew, squid brings a unique combination of flavour, texture, and nutrition to the table. This guide explores everything you need to know about cooking and enjoying squid, from its delicate taste to its impressive health benefits. Why Squid Deserves a Spot in Your Kitchen A Mild, Clean Flavour with Endless Possibilities Squid has a naturally mild taste, allowing it to work beautifully with both bold spices and delicate ingredients. Its slightly sweet, clean flavour makes it the perfect canvas for citrus, garlic, herbs, and vibrant sauces. The texture of squid, when cooked correctly, is tender and pleasingly firm. It only needs a quick flash in a hot pan, or a long, ...