Food has always been more than sustenance—it’s memory, story, and connection. Few cookbooks capture this truth as beautifully as Ás an Abhainn Mhóir: English-Gaelic Recipes from Pictou County. With its evocative title—“From the Big River”—this collection bridges kitchens and cultures, offering readers a flavorful journey through Nova Scotia’s Gaelic heritage while grounding every recipe in the lived traditions of Pictou County.
The layout of the book is unique in that it is a bilingual presentation. Each recipe appears in both English and Scottish Gaelic, a thoughtful choice that goes beyond aesthetics. For speakers and learners of Gaelic, it’s an invaluable teaching tool. For others, it serves as a reminder of the resilience of a language nearly lost but lovingly carried forward. The linguistic rhythm pairs naturally with the dishes: simple, hearty meals that are the backbone of rural life, yet infused with history and poetry.
The book is organized around both everyday fare and celebratory dishes, painting a full picture of community life. Staples such as oatcakes, fish stews, bannocks, and hearty soups sit alongside festive recipes for Christmas puddings, Scottish tablet, and Gaelic-inspired twists on familiar Maritime favorites. Many recipes are accompanied by anecdotes—stories of families who carried these dishes across the Atlantic, of kitchens where the fire never seemed to go out, and of tables that always stretched to welcome one more guest. These narratives are not filler; they’re the lifeblood of the book, transforming it from a cookbook into a cultural archive.
When we were young, we’d go smelt fishing in Lake Erie, bringing home bushels of the tiny morsels to be cleaned and frozen for meals throughout the winter. This cookbook provides a fried smelt recipe that’s covered with cornmeal invoking memories of childhood. That’s the power of this book—it transports you.
While rooted in Gaelic tradition, the recipes are approachable for modern home cooks. Measurements are clear, substitutions are suggested, and nothing feels out of reach…making it easy to integrate Gaelic-inspired meals into everyday cooking. With Remembrance Day taking place this week, I thought you’d like to try the War Cake in our Recipe section. No fancy ingredients but a mouthful of goodness and memories.
For foodies who love to explore culture through cuisine, Ás an Abhainn Mhóir is more than a cookbook; it’s a bridge between generations. It invites us to slow down, to savor, and to recognize that food is one of the strongest carriers of identity. Whether you have Gaelic roots, Maritime ties, or simply a curiosity about culinary traditions that carry echoes of another time and place, this book will delight. To purchase this memorable keepsake, go to https://www.bradanpress.com/books/nonfiction/as-an-abhainn-mhoir/ or win a copy in our Giveaway section.
Present day food often trends toward the fleeting and flashy. Ás an Abhainn Mhóir grounds us in something lasting: the taste of heritage, served warm at the family table.
Content and images used with permission by Bradan Press. https://www.bradanpress.com/books/nonfiction/as-an-abhainn-mhoir/