Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets - Season 2

First aired: 2/21/2011 8 episodes
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Episodes

1. Shellfish

Aired: 2/21/2011

In this episode Raymond shares his love of seafood, celebrating the best of British shellfish. To begin, a French favourite using a very British ingredient, moules mariniere made with sweet, plump mussels from Devon bathed in a heady garlic, wine and herb broth. Next a spicy, seared squid salad served with colourful Provencal vegetables and crisp fennel. Sweet, juicy scallops are given an exotic twist, resting on a bed of silky cauliflower puree with spiced cauliflower bhajis and an aromatic curry oil. For a finale fit for a king, Raymond prepares a feast of perfectly succulent Scottish lobster with a rich red pepper and cardamom jus and exquisite caviar pearls. And it's a first for Raymond as he visits a fishing village in Fife to join local fishermen on board as they trawl for lobsters.

2. Cakes and Pastries

Aired: 2/28/2011

In this episode Raymond pays tribute to the sweetly satisfying extravagance of cakes and pastries. To kick off, a feather-light lemon tea cake, generously coated in sticky apricot jam and a tangy lemon glaze. Next pure chocolate indulgence - crisp, fluffy choux pastry filled with a cooling chocolate cream and covered with a glossy chocolate icing. The secrets of the perfect macarons - the fashionable and delectable almond based pastries - are shared and used to decorate a flourless chocolate cake. For the finale, Piece Montee Croquembouche: the quintessential French celebration cakes that stand a metre tall. Raymond also goes to Paris to visit protégé and world famous patissiere Laurent Duchene.

3. Lamb

Aired: 3/7/2011

In this episode Raymond shares his favourite mouth-watering lamb dishes. To start, succulent lamb's liver with caramelised potatoes and a dusting of traditional French seasoning. Shoulder of lamb is slow-roasted with garlic and herbs and served with an earthy potato and turnip gratin to create a hearty but melt-in-the-mouth meal. Next Raymond returns to his roots with a truly French-inspired dish. Lamb Provencal sees a vivid, herb-encrusted rack of lamb accompanied by a juicy ratatouille. To finish, each tender cut of lamb comes together on one plate surrounded by lively vegetables and a rich tapenade to create a show-stopping finale.

4. Pudding

Aired: 3/14/2011

This episode is a treat for the taste buds as Raymond celebrates his passion for puddings, sweet and savoury. To kick off there is a French childhood favourite, riz au lait, a velvety vanilla rice pudding with a crunchy caramel topping and a tangy fruit compote. Next is another French classic, tarte tatin. Glossy caramelised apples embedded in golden puff pastry create a sumptuous dessert and comforting finale to any meal.

5. Charcuterie

Aired: 3/21/2011

Celebrated chef Raymond Blanc invites the cameras into his kitchen to share his treasured cooking secrets. Filmed in the lively surroundings of his working Oxfordshire kitchen, the series features a range of inspirational and achievable recipes for cooks of all abilities. In this carnivorous episode, Raymond shares his love of the art of charcuterie: cooked or preserved meats. To begin, wafer-thin slices of duck ham cured in herbs and juniper berries are joined by crispy lardons to create a delicious dish packed with crunch and flavour. Next, a rich, buttery chicken liver parfait with a zesty, spicy coating, and pot-au-feu, a meaty medley slow-cooked in a velvety broth. Finally, an eye-catching ham hock terrine showcasing a mosaic of meat and vegetables served with home-made pickles.

6. Spices and Chillies

Aired: 3/28/2011

Celebrated chef Raymond Blanc invites the cameras into his kitchen to share his treasured cooking secrets. Filmed in the lively surroundings of his working Oxfordshire kitchen, the series features a range of inspirational and achievable recipes for cooks of all abilities. In this episode, Raymond draws upon memories of his travels through Asia to create dishes full of fragrant spice and fiery heat. To kick off, a mouth-wateringly fresh green papaya salad with the sweet crunch of pomegranate and a tangy dressing of chilli and lime. The inspiration for Raymond's next dish comes from no further than his own kitchen. Indian vegetable curry infused with a complex blend of masala spices is one of his much-loved family recipes. Next tender, slow-cooked pork belly marinated in a Chinese-style blend of aromatic spices with a crisp, crunchy crackling, drenched in an intense meaty broth.

7. Summer Fruits

Aired: 4/11/2011

In this episode, Raymond demonstrates the versatility of the summers juiciest fruits. To begin, a simple but impressive berry-strewn pavlova. Next a spicy cherry clafloutis sees the vibrant fruit cushioned in a bed of soft, sumptuous pastry. A ruby red fig tart adds a touch of decadence, and for the finale there is an aromatic fruit soup topped with a delicate caramel cage and light bubbles of champagne. Raymond also travels to Fife to visit a traditional fruit farm to witness how his favourite variety of raspberry is grown despite the temperate climate.

8. Summer Greens

Aired: 4/18/2011

Chef Raymond celebrates the freshest summer greens. Beginning with a simple yet vibrant pistou soup, laden with summer vegetables and bursting with basil, topped with crispy croutons and meltingly rich parmesan. Next a dish ideal for a warm summer's day - poached salmon resting on a bed of citrusy sorrel served with a zingy lemon sauce. The combination of crisp chicory, ripe pears and walnuts creates a flavour-packed salad perfectly paired with a rich, creamy Roquefort dressing. And to round off, an exquisite spinach ravioli encasing a perfectly poached quail's egg, accompanied by a light beurre blanc, earthy wild mushrooms and fragrant micro-herbs - delivered direct to Raymond's kitchen by specialist grower Richard Vine. Raymond also visits the Cotswolds to discover a nutty alternative to olive oil - beautifully golden, cold-pressed rapeseed oil.