Chef Dylan's takes us to Asturia, Spain...

Chef Dylan takes us to Asturia, Spain for week #7
of our culinary tour of Western Mediterranean cuisine!

Week Seven of our Western Mediterranean Culinary Tour takes us to Asturias, Spain!

Greetings from Chef Dylan,

When you come across a website titled "Where Is Asturias" (WhereIsAsturias.com), you know you've stumbled upon a location that could use some publicity. Well, I plan to do my part today. Asturias, along with Cantabria and Galacia, are the three regions that form the Celtic north fairy-land of Spain. The landscape is marked by rolling green hills and craggy mountains with tiny hamlets tucked up under the cover of rocky cliffs. We've left behind the arid Spain of Don Quixote's La Mancha as we cross the mountain range of the Cordillera Cantàbrica stretching from Portugal to the Pyrenees which forms the southern border of Asturias.

I've long been fascinated by this region since learning that the mountains formed a natural barrier which stopped the Moors from conquering it like they did the rest of Spain. The defeat of the Moors at Covadonga in 722 by Pelayo, a chieftain who later became the first King of Asturias, is regarded as a symbol of pride. However, it is more than a symbol. This defeat and resulting isolation and autonomy has affected different aspects of life in this region-especially the food!

Four weeks ago we featured the cuisine of Andalucia, the food that everyone thinks of when they think of Spain: paella, tapas, gazpacho, sangria. We also mentioned the revolutionary cuisine of Ferran Adrià, who mastered molecular gastronomy in his restaurant "laboratory." I personally love all of these well-known Spanish treasures, however, I am equally excited to explore the more hidden treasure of the Asturias culinary tradition. It is original, honest and downright delicious. Free from the accolades and influences of the south, Asturian cooking exists in its purest form, utilizing the ingredients and traditions of the region. This unadulterated quality sets it apart from most cuisines, which I find very intriguing. And its people are equally intriguing.

The Asturians are first and foremost farmers and shepherds tending livestock on alpine pastures and vast apple orchards that produce more than 250 varieties. In addition to cooking and eating, apples are most notably used in the local production of their signature sidra. The mills are a very social gathering place, as well as a place of business. This video clip (https://vimeo.com/112932628) gives you a glimpse into the community and camaraderie in the cider mills. You'll also notice their ceremonial way of pouring the cider: lifting the bottle as high as possible and pouring it into a glass that is as low as possible (often near the floor) to aerate the juice and produce its fullest flavor.

In addition to apples, the Atlantic Costa Verde delivers a rich selection of seafood and mountain streams bring forth delicious trout. On land, the pastures produce high quality cheeses, beef, and game, but pork products are the Asturians' most prized meat. The chorizo Bilbao I brought in for this menu is absolutely exquisite! It is so flavorful and well-balanced that I encourage you to try it.

I have been to Spain many times, but have never had the pleasure of traveling to this region to experience the cuisine myself, but I have studied it for many years. More recently, the cuisine of Asturias was made known in the U.S. by celebrity chef, José Andrés (a native of Asturias) on his show "Made in Spain." Chef Andrés fondly reflects, "The most vivid memories for me are, as always, food-related, like the fabada Asturiana, the wonderful bean stew of the region. Food is always celebrated in Asturias; it doesn't matter how much it cost or how little there is on the table. Meals are times for everyone to share their stories." This week we want to share our Asturian story with you, and among other delicious and unique dishes on the menu, we will feature Andrés's beloved fabada Asturiana. I hope we do it justice!

Chef Dylan

Fabulous Argentinean Wine Dinner

Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 pm.

Join us as we welcome our very special guest

Martin Ca stro, Co-Proprietor of Bodegas Luminis Vineyards Mendoza, Argentina!

Reservations are required and seating is limited. All of the delicious details will be coming in a future email as well as posted on our web site MoZaicSarasota.com

Our Week Six Menu Features the Cuisine of Emilia-Romagna, Italy!

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