SIMPLY RAYMOND

'Of the many cookery books that I have written, this one has the most extraordinary story,' says Raymond Blanc. His long-held plan to write a simple cookbook - inspired by his mother, Maman Blanc - began months before the Covid pandemic hit.

Suddenly everything changed, and Raymond, like the rest of the world, struggled to find a way through lockdown. At home, and isolated from his family - as well as his army of chefs at the world-renowned two-star Michelin restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and his Brasserie Blanc restaurants - Raymond cooked and cooked. He opted for the simple dishes that evoked the happy memories, provided the connection to those he could not be with. He focused on recipes that were neither a challenge nor fussy. They required ingredients that were easily-available and needed only basic kitchen equipment. The result is Simply Raymond. It is a collection of his favourite home-cooked recipes - the dishes that mean the most to him; the ones that connect family and friends, and dishes that took him on stove-side travels to other parts of the world.

Dish by dish, Simply Raymond presents an irresistible feast. This is cooking from the heart, and here you'll find must-make dishes to add to your weekly repertoire, as well as others for special occasions.

There is also a profound poignancy to this book. Shortly before Raymond finished writing it, his mother sadly passed away. This book is a heartfelt tribute to her, created with passion and thoughtfulness. It is also a testament to the great pleasure derived from stepping into a kitchen, simply to cook simply for others. Something he has done all of his life.

Recipes include:

• Cod Cassoulet with Chorizo and Mixed Beans
• A Quick Ratatouille
• Cauliflower and Red Lentil Dhal
• White Onion Soup
• Beetroot Salad with Hot Smoked Salmon
• Salade Nicoise
• Tartiflette
• Strawberry and Mascarpone Tart