The Traditionally Unique Chef Juan Mari Arzak

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There are many famous culinary names in the world today and one of them is Juan Mari Arzak. At 65, he is still energetic and quite dynamic. His quest to innovate Basque cuisine led him to a culinary journey which involves creative cooking techniques and inventive ingredients. This desire was inspired by the culinary course he took with Chef Paul Bocuse. He continues with his work together with his daughter, Elena, an equally good chef.

The Beginning

Chef Juan Mari Arzak did not immediately work in their family restaurant, Arzak. He only joined his family after he completed his studies and finished his compulsory military services. He also went abroad and learned his craft before he finally returned to San Sebastian to work in Arzak. It was his mother who introduced culinary arts to him. It was also his mother that revealed many gastronomic secrets. He never left Arzak since then. He also made it one of the best restaurants in the world.

His Quest for Traditional but Unique Cooking

He keeps a culinary laboratory above his restaurant. It is here where he keeps thousands of ingredients and recipes. The patrons of his restaurant regularly experience his traditional cooking. Considering the fact that he inherited his restaurant from his parents who in turn inherited it from his grandparents, it is not surprising that his cuisines are deeply rooted to traditional cooking as well. He has experimented, however, with various local ingredients. These ingredients provide the unique delicious twist to an otherwise traditional Basque cuisine. It should not come as a surprise then that Arzak, their restaurant, attracts customers like flies to honey.

Arzak is possibly the most popular restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain. It has earned a 3 Michelin stars. The Restaurant Magazine also lists it as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. In truth, the success of Arzak cannot just be attributed to Juan Mari Arzak. His daughter, Elena, proves to be a formidable chef as well. She has trained in a couple of Europe’s most renowned restaurants. She helps his father with the day-by-day operation and she is proving to be quite skilled in managing the restaurant.

Arzak proves to be Chef Juan Mari Arzak’s testament to the culinary world. It is as warm as its owner. It offers culinary delights that will continue to attract customers from all over the world. Juan Mari knows that his passion is cooking and he intends to cook inventive and creative meals for a long time to come.

Juan Mari Arzak Original Recipe

STRAWBERRY BUBBLES

INGREDIENTS: (for 4 pers.)

1.- For the spiced sugar: 100 gr. Sugar, 10 gr. dry basil, 10 gr. Oregano, 5 gr. dry parsley, 1 gr. dry pepper and 3 gr. fresh mint.

2.- For the fruit: 1 pear, 1 kiwi, 1 apple, 1 peach, 1 mango, 1 banana, 1 cherry, 1 melon, 4 strawberries. Choose 4 fruits that are in season, for example 4 strawberries, 1 peach, ¼ melon and ½ mango.

3.- For the strawberry base: 40 gr. strawberry puree and 25 gr. dry ice.

4.- For the spicy sauce: 300 gr. Orange juice, 75 gr. Strawberry pulp, 40 gr. sugar, 1 teaspoon. Thyme, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon lavender, 1 soupspoon hibiscus, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon liquorice powder, 4 teaspoon tandoori, 10 grains of black pepper, 8 grains of Sechuán pepper and 2 star-shaped aniseed.

5.- For the strawberry milkshake: ½ l. full milk, 30 gr. Strawberry puree and 30 gr. Normal sugar.

Plus: 1 tubular glass 6 cm in height.

PREPARATION:

1.- For the spiced sugar: Mix the ingredients well together. Leave to one side.

2.- For the fruit: Cut the fruit chosen into cubes of approx. 4 x 4. Coat them in the sugar and leave on a mild grill to caramelise lightly on both sides. Leave to one side.

3.- For the strawberry base: First place the strawberries into the class and then the dry ice. Leave to one side.

4.- For the spiced sauce: Boil all the ingredients and leave to cook for 12 minutes on a low heat. Strain.

5.- For the strawberry milkshake: Mix the ingredients together well and keep cold. Leave to one side.

FINAL AND PRESENTATION:

Place the fruit on a soup plate and beside it the tubular glass with the strawberry base on the inside. The waitress will pour the strawberry milkshake into the glass, generating a series of bubbles. After 45 seconds the waitress will remove the glass leaving the fruit covered in strawberry bubbles.

Portrait Credit: EITB24

Recipe via Arzak.info

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