Latest news with #Maman
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Maaman: Soori pens note of gratitude as Tamil family drama surpasses Rs 25 crore at box office
Latest Tamil release Maaman celebrates the unique bond between an uncle and nephew on the silver screen. Seemingly so, the film has been performing wonderfully at the box office and has now passed a milestone of Rs 25 crores in Tamil Nadu. Taking to X, actor Soori penned a note of gratitude as his film achieved this remarkable feat. He dropped a poster of the film and thanked every one of the team members who equally deserve this phenomenal credit. Check out the post here: An excerpt from his long note read, 'Their tireless work and dedication are the main reasons why Maman holds a place in your hearts today. Today, the movie Maman is successfully running for its second week... but it resonates not only on the screen but also in the love, appreciation, and enthusiastic smiles you have given... it lives on in the hearts of every family.' Speaking about the box office metrics of Maaman, it has emerged as a sure-shot hit in Tamil Nadu and even continues to do so in the second week of its theatrical run. The family drama has touched the hearts of the audience with its honest and unique storytelling. While the film continues to storm in theaters, it was just some days back when Soori confirmed that the digital and satellite streaming rights of Maaman were acquired by Zee5. The film will be airing on this digital platform after completing its run in cinema halls. For the unversed, the Soori starrer hit the big screens on May 16. Maaman is directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj, who had penned the screenplay of the film based on a story from Soori himself. It is produced by K. Kumar under the banner of Lark Studios. Talking about the cast, apart from Soori, it also stars Aishwarya Lekshmi, Rajkiran, Swasika, Bala Saravanan, Baba Bhaskar, Geetha Kailasam, Viji Chandrasekhar and others.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Raymond Blanc's top 10 tips to make your summer dishes go further
The good news? May's unseasonably hot weather has brought a glut of tomatoes and strawberries. And who better to show us what to do with them than Raymond Blanc? The French chef is best known for the lavish feasts at his restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire – but he's spent a lifetime championing zero food waste and sustainable cooking. Long before he stepped into a professional kitchen, Blanc learnt prudence and resourcefulness from his hard-working family, who came from a long line of farmers. Raymond, who grew up in the Franche-Comté region of France, says: 'My papa was a working class person with strong principles and work ethics. He once made me taste earth so I would truly appreciate it and all that grows from it. 'He built a beautiful house over six years, with six bedrooms for us all and our house had a huge garden around it which could feed the whole family all year round.' Mushrooms hung from the ceilings. Gargantuan pots were stashed next to preserves and pickles. In them, Maman would store stale bread that she would later use as a crumble, together with apples, for a mouth-watering family treat. They kept rabbits, among other animals. The fur would be sold. The rest was chopped and braised with white wine and mustard to make a sumptuous 'lapin à la moutarde'. 'Nothing would be left,' Raymond says. 'The first thing my maman taught me was, 'Raymond, you shall waste not'.' During strawberry season, their house was filled with the comforting aromas of intense, syrupy, well-drained strawberries. Making jam became a cottage industry, with maman making about 10 litres at a time. 'She taught me to understand where our food came from, which became the foundation of my cuisine,' he says. 'She taught me to embrace the seasons.' He named his first restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons (the house of the four seasons) with that ethos in mind. Homegrown, locally and ethically sourced ingredients have always been at the heart of his cooking. At Brasserie Blanc – the French restaurant group he founded – all staff, regardless of their role, are now taught how to reduce food waste in their own homes. Raymond's passion for sustainability is matched by his horror at how much food British households throw away: nearly five million tonnes of edible food each year, worth an estimated £17 billion – or around £1,000 per typical household – according to a study commissioned by the climate action group Wrap. Tackling the issue is 'everyone's responsibility,' says Raymond. And with just a few small changes to how we shop, we could all cut down on food waste at home. That means shopping mindfully, considering the provenance of our produce, and choosing fruit and vegetables that are in season. Instead of filling our trolleys with a hodgepodge of tempting treats, we should try some simple meal planning. 'People often over-shop. Just by writing a list before they go will help them to avoid the things they don't need,' Raymond says. He acknowledges two-for-one deals are a common temptation but encourages us to freeze any sauces or meals we have copious leftovers of. 'Just make sure you put a date on it – I label everything,' he says. With summer almost here, there's no need to bin wilted lettuce leaves or squishy strawberries the children turn their noses up at. Here, Raymond shares his top tips. Raymond's top ten tips to reduce summer food waste Limp salad leaves 'Don't consign limp salad leaves to the compost bin as they can be revived and refreshed by immersing them in iced water for 15 minutes before patting dry to restore their crispness. If they are beyond the point of redemption then you can turn them into a simple pesto – this works particularly well with 'Little Gem' lettuce. All you need is 100g of leaves, 50g Parmesan, 50g pine nuts (or any other nuts you have in your cupboards such as walnuts or cashews), a dash of olive oil, two cloves of garlic and the juice of one lemon. Simply blitz in a food processor to achieve your desired consistency. Pesto is not only perfect for pasta but also drizzled on soups or as a dip.' Leftover pastry 'Leftover shortcrust pastry can be safely stored in the freezer for up to eight weeks, but why not get creative and make a spring vegetable galette. In France, a galette is a free form tart, so you don't even need a pie dish to make them, just a baking tray. Roll out your pastry and add sautéed leeks, asparagus, peas or any other greens that you have in your fridge. Make sure you leave enough pastry around the edges to fold over the filling. Crumble over some feta cheese (or again, any cheese that you have in the fridge such as Gruyère or, my favourite cheese from my home region in France, Comté, that you can grate over). Fold the edges over the filling to create the sides to the tart. Brush the pastry with a beaten egg and then bake in the oven at 356F (180C) and 320F (160C) for fan assisted, until the pastry is crisp and golden. You can even use any tomato sauce or pesto that you have made to enhance the filling!' Strawberries 'If you are growing your own strawberries at home, they tend to ripen at different times. Picking them at their best and storing them in the freezer in a resealable bag is a great way to ensure you have a batch of perfectly ripe strawberries ready to cook into strawberry jam – and you can also do this with shop bought strawberries which tend to go soggy quickly. You don't even have to defrost them – you can cook them from frozen too. I've always preferred jams that have less sugar, where the fruit flavour is really intense.' Overripe tomatoes 'These are the perfect base for a sauce. The only ingredients you need are your tomatoes, an onion, garlic cloves and olive oil. Heat the olive oil in a pan and, once hot, add finely chopped onion and cook down until soft and translucent. Add garlic (either grated or finely chopped) and cook for a further minute. Finally, add your chopped tomatoes and cook the sauce for a further five minutes until it has reduced slightly and season it with salt and pepper. Let the sauce cool completely before freezing. When defrosted you have the perfect base sauce for a multitude of dishes.' Stale bread 'Blitz into breadcrumbs in a food processor and store in an airtight container in the freezer. For the perfect herb crust for lamb, add in some fresh herbs when you blitz the breadcrumbs in the food processor. Not only will the oils be released from the herbs but it will turn the crust into a beautiful vibrant green which will showcase your spring lamb perfectly. Stale bread is also perfect for making your own croutons. Cut the bread into cubes, place on a baking tray in the oven at 392F (200C) or 356F (180C) fan assisted, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper (you can also add dried herbs) and bake until crisp and golden. These make the ideal salad topper.' Vegetable peelings 'Rather than consigning them to the compost heap or the food waste bin, these can make a delicious snack. Season them with salt and pepper (you can also add other herbs of your choice for flavour) and pop them in the oven on a baking tray (374F/190C or 338F/170C for fan assisted) for 20 to 25 minutes. Take them out and leave them to cool and crisp up and enjoy them on their own or with your favourite dip. These also work well in an air fryer if you have one at home.' Make your own mirepoix 'Use up leftover vegetables in the fridge to make your own mirepoix – a flavoursome vegetable base to many French dishes. Dice the vegetables and slow cook with fat (usually butter) on a low heat, taking care not to brown them. Usually, the vegetable mixture includes two-part onion, one-part carrot and one-part celery. You can also add tomato puree. Once cool, you can portion and freeze until needed in everything from soups to stews.' Grow your own herbs from shop bought packs 'You can start your own herb garden with shop bought rosemary stalks. Take a rosemary stalk that you have stripped the leaves off for cooking and peel a little bit of the stalk off at the bottom. Pop the stalk in a glass of water and, after a week or so, you will start to see little shoots growing. Leave for a couple more weeks and then transfer to a pot filled with compost (with drainage) and pop it on your windowsill. A great project to do with the kids and you won't have to buy rosemary again!' Leftover lemons 'If you only need half a lemon for a recipe, don't discard the remainder or leave it to go mouldy in the fridge. Instead, cut it into wedges and pop it in the freezer. Defrost when you next need a lemon for a recipe or add it to your favourite tipple.' BBQ leftovers 'To prevent any leftovers, don't over commit when you plan a BBQ. Just stick to one thing like burgers or maybe some slow-cooked chicken thighs. It doesn't need to be a buffet of four or five different meats. Instead, focus on some lovely salads, flatbread and sauces to accompany your BBQ.'
Irish Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
France's emotional Eurovision song explained as Louane reflects on mum's death
The Eurovision Song Contest grand finale is upon us and France hits the stage, boasting a spot in the Big Five. Taking up the mantle for her homeland is Anne Peichert, known by her stage moniker Louane. Her heartwarming track 'Maman' pays homage to her late mother, weaving a tale of maternal bonds across generations. The performance comes with a poignant twist as it features the voice of Louane's own little girl towards the close. Though the narrative of the song is intimately personal, its universal message has resonated worldwide. The chanteuse expressed her dream to clinch the Eurovision title in memory of her mum. Lyrics translated convey: "I've changed a lot, I've grown up a lot. From you, I kept everything, That makes me who I am." The songstress goes on to unveil her journey to motherhood, discovering an "indelible love", and promises of eternal affection through time. "You know, the real one, always. Even when time flies, When he holds my hand, I'm no longer afraid of anything. And it feels like before, When you used to hold my hand," she sings on. Louane has opened up in her latest song about coming to terms with her profound losses, sharing: "I'm better, I know where I'm going. I stopped counting the years." The French star first captured hearts at 16 on The Voice, launching a career lined with both personal tragedy and artistic triumph. At a young age, Louane faced the heartbreaking loss of both of her parents, with her father passing away just three months before her stint on The Voice. Her mother's death followed in 2014 after battling a serious illness. It was during the Six Nations final game between France and Scotland, under the gaze of 80,000 spectators, that she emotionally rendered the song Maman. Now an established artist with three million album sales, Louane boasts a 1.2 million strong Instagram following. Her talents span beyond music into acting, having nabbed a César Award for her role in La Famille Bélier. At 28, she has chalked up an impressive résumé including voice roles in French adaptations of Trolls and Incredibles 2. In her personal life, she shares a partnership with singer Florian Rossi and in March 2020, they welcomed their daughter Esmée into the world. For Eurovision aficionados, the grand final is set to broadcast on BBC One on May 17 at 8pm, with international viewers able to join via the competition's official YouTube channel.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
France's tragic Eurovision song explained as Louane opens up about mother's death
France's tragic Eurovision song explained as Louane opens up about mother's death France is one of the Big Five countries competing in this year's Eurovision Song Contest and will be represented by Louane, who will perform a touching tribute to her late mother French singer Louane holds her national flag as she represents France with the song Maman The highly anticipated Eurovision Song Contest grand final has arrived, with France taking its place among the Big Five, represented by Anne Peichert, also known as Louane. Louane's poignant song, Maman, serves as a heartfelt tribute to her late mother, highlighting the unbreakable bond between generations of mothers. In a touching gesture, the song concludes with the voice of Louane's own daughter. Although Maman stems from a deeply personal experience, its lyrics have resonated with listeners worldwide. Louane expressed her desire to win Eurovision as a tribute to her mother. The lyrics, when translated, convey a powerful message: "I've changed a lot, I've grown up a lot. From you, I kept everything, That makes me who I am." French singer Louane unveiled her song at the Six Nations The song continues to explore the theme of motherhood, with Louane singing about her own child calling her "mum" and the discovery of "indelible love". Article continues below The song's emotional depth is further conveyed through the lines: "You know, the real one, always. Even when time flies, When he holds my hand, I'm no longer afraid of anything. And it feels like before, When you used to hold my hand." Louane expresses acceptance of her deep personal losses through her lyrics, stating: "I'm better, I know where I'm going. I stopped counting the years." Achieving fame at only 16, Louane became a familiar face on the French version of The Voice. Tragically, Louane faced profound sorrow during her teenage years, losing both parents; her father passed away just three months before she graced The Voice stage. Louane lost both of her parents when she was in her teens Her mother's death followed in 2014 after battling a long illness. It was during the climax of the Six Nations that Louane debuted the heart-wrenching song Maman to an audience of up to 80,000 as France faced Scotland. The talented artist has seen extraordinary success, with over three million albums sold globally and amassing 1.2 million followers on Instagram. Her accolades aren't limited to music; Louane has also claimed a César Award for most promising actress thanks to her performance in the comedy-drama La Famille Bélier. Still only 28, Louane's versatility has extended to voice acting too; she lent her voice to French versions of hit films such as Trolls and Incredibles 2. Article continues below She shares her life with singer Florian Rossi and they welcomed daughter Esmée in March 2020. Eurovision fans can catch the grand final broadcast on BBC One, scheduled for May 17 at 8pm. Viewers around the world can join the excitement via the Eurovision Song Contest's official YouTube channel.
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Louane? Meet the singer representing France at Eurovision 2025
Singer and actor Louane is representing France at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. French music fans might know her from her rise to fame aged just 16, when she competed on The Voice and made it to the semi-final . She was then crowned with a César Award for Most Promising Actress, for her performance in the critically acclaimed 2014 French-Belgian coming-of-age comedy drama La Famille Bélier . Louane has experienced tragedy in her life, having lost both parents while she was still a teenager. Her performance of 'Imagine' on The Voice, was dedicated to her father, who died three months before her appearance on the show. Her mother died in 2014 after a lengthy illness. Follow live updates from the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 here . Louane is competing at Eurovision 2025 with the song 'Maman'. As one of the 'Big Five' countries, France has automatically been granted a place in the Grand Final on Saturday (17 May). Can you tell me how you first got into music? Hello! I'm Louane, a 28-year-old singer and actress. I've always been passionate about music. When I was 8, my nanny Momo signed me up for a singing competition. Later, I was discovered by Bruno Berberès, a casting director, who invited me to audition for The Voice when I was 16. I ended up as a finalist on the show. How did you end up representing France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025? Alexandra Redde-Amiel reached out to offer me the chance to represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest. I hesitated for a long time before accepting, because it was such a big decision. My mother was a huge Eurovision fan, and it had always been her dream for me to participate. For me, it's a tribute to her, and I needed to feel truly ready to do it. After many long talks with my family and my fiancé, we decided I should go for it. I feel incredibly proud and honoured to represent France for my mom. (AFP/Getty) What's the meaning and inspiration behind your song 'Maman'? - I had a song called Maman on my first album. That version was too sad and deeply emotional. This new song is completely different. In a way, it's a continuation of the first one — but more importantly, it reflects who I truly am today. For the first time, I'm genuinely doing well. And that's why this new song exists. I hope that's what people take away from it. It's a message of hope for anyone who has gone through deep sadness — to let them know that healing is possible, and that you can build a life in spite of everything. How are you feeling about this year's competition? This year, the other contestants are incredible. Everyone is so kind and extremely talented. The welcome in Basel has been amazing, and I can't wait to see what everyone has prepared for their performances. It's going to be a tight competition, but we've already become great friends so no low blows :) We even have a group chat on Instagram where we literally talk every day. We go live on Instagram, we FaceTime each other privately—we're constantly in touch. It's going to be a lot of fun.
