"The Family Meal" cookbook launch at Kika Tapas

When asked about the number one restaurant, El Bulli restaurant comes to mind. This restaurant was voted number one for 5 years in the world: 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Ferran Adrià is the head chef behind this number one restaurant.

Ferran Adrià is a world-renowned chef and has been associated as one of the innovators and expert in molecular gastronomy. He prefers for his creations and cooking to be referred as deconstructive gastronomy. But behind the success of El Bulli not only rest on its head chef, but also its staff.

The Family Meal cookbook contains recipes of dishes that Chef Ferran Adrià has prepared and cooked for his staff at El Bulli. Before the restaurant would open for business, they would all gather and share meals together, which they referred to as “The Family Meal”. Kika Tapas (which is located in Victoria Street at Darlinghurst) will recreate these amazing dishes from every Tuesday for the next few weeks. Last week, I had the privilege to try mouth-watering food prepared by Kika Tapas from the cookbook. The lime marinated fish, osso bucco, and piña colada. 

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with Spanish wines and pinxtos.

lime marinated fish

The lime marinated fish is all about utilising and uniting the flavours of fresh ingredients such as fresh kingfish and lime juice. The olive oil carries the fresh flavours of the fish and lime superbly. The sea salt heightens and balances the flavours.

osso bucco

I love osso bucco and I love how it was cooked in this meal. The meat is braised to perfect tenderness and the sauce is excellent. The gremolata's fresh and slightly citrus flavours gave this braised dish more character and to another level of awesome. It was a succulent experience of bliss upon tasting the marrow, which absorbed all the juicy flavours. It was the star of the night.

piña colada

The perfect way to end the night was with a piña colada. It was very refreshing and soothing after a very hearty dish like the osso bucco.

Bread with chocolate and olive

I was so happy to have received a copy of the cookbook, courtesy of PEPR Publicity. Thanks to the cookbook, I was able to replicate the osso bucco dish from the book and I’m glad that it turned out as good and tasty. The book has about 90 recipes that are very easy to follow. It contains step-by-step photos of how to execute the process and techniques to create the perfect “family meal”. One of the things I love about this book is it also has extra basic recipes (aside from the 90 recipes). It has recipes on how to make your own barbeque sauce, pesto, and tomato sauce from scratch!

My osso bucco - photo taken from my phone in a hurry! Was too hungry!

The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià, by Ferran Adrià, buy it for $39.95. Phaidon 2011 www.phaidon.com

Whether you’re new to cooking or an experienced cook, “The Family Meal” cookbook has something to offer for everyone. It has delicious recipes to bring families and friends together.

Ramen Raff was invited to dine as a guest at Kika Tapas during the launch of “The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià” cookbook. Thanks to Bianca and Anna of PEPR Publicity.

Kika Tapas

247 Victoria Street  

Darlinghurst NSW 2010

(02) 9360 7865

www.kika.com.au

Opening hours:

Monday – Sunday from 5:30pm til late