Len & Alex Deighton’s farewell Cookstrip

Len Deighton recalls his cookstrip years at the Observer and presents the last one: Filet de Boeuf en Croûte

My mother made the best trifle I’ve ever tasted. She taught me how to cook. I was always in the kitchen as a child. Ysabele and I brought our boys up in the kitchen. Passing on my mother’s tricks, teaching the boys to cook, and watching them cook for their families and friends has been a great pleasure.

I started drawing the Cookstrips in art school; sketched reminders of each recipe step. The Cookstrips kept my costly cookery books out of our messy kitchen. We made great food. The more classic and ambitious the better. Poularde en vessie and croquembouche on a Thursday? Why not? Our flat was always full of food and friends. My friend Ray Hawkey saw the Cookstrips and created their recognisable grid. The first Cookstrip was published in the Observer 59 years ago this month.