Book excerpt: Northwest Cooking Afloat is not just a cookbook-it's a cruise through the magnificent waters of the Pacific Northwest.One of the most spectacular boating locations in the world, the "Upper Left Coast" and its inland waterways can be exploredin every kind of craft: sailboats, powerboats, ferries, floating homes, kayaks, paddle boards, racing shells. From the openocean to coastal bays to urban lakes, the Northwest offers every kind of marine environment for hundreds of thousands ofboat enthusiasts to explore.And when those boaters get hungry? Our region is also renowned for its array of seasonal edibles that truly shine whenprepared simply, showing off their innate beauty and satisfying every appetite. Northwest Cooking Afloat will show youhow to make meals that are memorable events-not just afterthoughts. An easy, elegant picnic for a trip ashore ? anappetizer plate for friends on the dock ? a steaming mug of soup midrace ? or a healthful breakfast at anchor on aquiet, foggy morning. With this book as a guide, onboard cooks will never lack for ways to gain the devotion of theircaptain and crew. "And as any mariner here will tell you, everything tastes better on a boat."