How do you set about reinventing one of the most famous dishes in the world?
This was the challenge that Chef Kevin Cherkas set himself when he started work on refreshing the Cuca, Bali menu for late 2016 and set his sights on bringing the timeless Caesar salad to Cuca’s tables.
“I really wanted to play with the idea of recognised classics”, Kevin laughs, “to take a dish as revered as the Caesar and rework it seemed too good a challenge to pass up!”
Instead of using the traditional ingredients Kevin opted to reinvent the experience of a Caesar through texture, playing with the traditional form and taste of the salad to offer a truly unique interpretation named “Broccoli Caesar”, made with charred broccoli, whipped coconut and salted fish crumble.
The chefs have switched up the romaine lettuce for a hearty serving of local broccoli, a coconut mousse binds the salad instead of a traditional egg yolk, vinegar, garlic and oil dressing, and the parmesan and anchovies are worked into a crispy gratin topping – adding an extra layer of deliciousness to this radical new Cuca salad.
The result is a startlingly loyal reinterpretation of the classic salad that not only bends the rules but rewrites what can be achieved through a textural approach to cuisine. It’s a healthy, fun veggie dish that’s big on ambition and taste and we are sure will become a Cuca crowd favourite in no time!
To get a taste of the brand new Broccoli Caesar please make a reservation online at www.secret-collections.com/cuca.
Cuca is located in Jimbaran, Bali. Open seven days a week from 12pm to 12am.