Neil Perry describes this book as an extension of The Food I Love, and it includes many of the recipes that did not make it into that book. Here he reminds us that as with most things you get out what you put in, and so encourages the use of quality ingredients, fresh produce, and the application of a little effort.

While there are one or two more complicated recipes in this collection, by far the majority are quite straight forward, simple in ingredients and process. Refreshingly he also encourages experimentation, that one uses these recipes as inspiration, to chop and change the ingredients, to use or substitute what you have available, in other words he encourages that one learn how to cook rather than just follow instructions.

The ranges of recipes is wide: soups, salads, pies, egg dishes, pasta, seafood, meat and poultry and desserts, and there is a section on cooking basics. Each recipe as a brief explanatory introduction. The book is beautifully presented, the layout clear and uncluttered, and most of the dishes are illustrated in full page photographs.

Slightly larger in format than many cookbooks, this is a practical yet inspirational collection, dishes that one can easily prepare day to day, not just for that special occasion. ( )