Raymond Blanc's multi-starred Oxfordshire restaurant--Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons--is not often associated with fast food. But in fact Blanc has long promoted a speedy, fresh and healthy gourmet eating that has nothing to do with burgers and chips. Blanc has collaborated with physician Dr Jean Monro on Blanc Vite and its recipes and approach combine use of the freshest ingredients, organic as often as possible, with cooking techniques that complement the basic flavour of the food as opposed to masking it. In a passionate introduction, Blanc quotes Hippocrates: "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food", before going on to give his 10 commandments of food and be surprisingly (very surprisingly for a top chef) kind to vegetarians. The recipes start with breakfast--anyone for pears with vanilla?--then on through snacks, fish, meat, veggie and desserts. A basic knowledge of cooking is required to take on the recipes but most of all you need appreciation of food and that's what Blanc helps with. This inspiring book at last clarifies the difference between health food which tastes like sawdust and healthy food which tastes like heaven. Bonne Sante. --Nick Wroe
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Quite a find Raymond deserves respect for taking an enlightened approach to both diet and vegetarian cookery. The introduction has a really interesting discussion of diet that probably contains more useful information than most diet books - e.g. why are french people thinner despite eating more fat? Answer: All the 'fat' nations consume a lot of sugar. Sounds like 'low-GI' before the term was popularised. The recipes are all simple with a real clarity of flavour.
Fast, healthy, delightful recipes and low GI too! I've bought a lot of cookbooks over the years, but the one I still love best is Blanc Vite which I've had as a treasured possession since about 2000. I'm no chef, so these fast and easy recipes are a delight. They also adhere fairly well to a low GI diet, even though he doesn't make a huge deal out of it. I'd recommend it to anyone considering that dietary approach or who just wants great quality food fast.
Best Cookery Book Ever? This book has changed the way that I cook (as a food lover) for the following reasons; 1. The recipes are fast,and easy to follow - and most importantly they work. If you are making dinner 90% of these recipes can be done a few hours before, thus giving you time to socialise with your guests rather than being a slave to your kitchen, then simply finish them off before serving. This is why this book is so practical. 2.The standard of the end results are better than most restaurant food.The recipes take... more info
Just want to rush into the kitchen and start cooking! This was a totally unexpected Christmas present from my daughter, who recently stayed at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. She knows how much I love to cook and try out new recipes. Raymond Blanc has it all in this book, originality and freshness, the ingredients speak for themselves. His knowledge of all health aspects is impressive and it is a wonderful guide for anyone with little time to spare and loves really really good food. Thankyou Monsieur Blanc
