When I first saw this book in a used bookstore, I almost flipped. One of my all time favorite artists wrote a cookbook? I picked it up almost on the novelty of it all, but after getting into it fell in love with the personality of it. This is Salvador Dali, the master of taking things too far, and this book goes way beyond extravagant - but these are all things that were served at dinner parties hosted by himself and his love Gala. Originally published in 1973, it may be dated a bit for today's taste, but is a fantastic look back to some of the classic styles of food enjoyed by the ultra rich. Photos of tables sprawling with lobsters, chaud-froid glazed meats, caviar and even a tower of crayfish. Sketches and paintings by the master round out the visual feast between the photos.
The recipes - I love them - it's where the book finds its personality. It's like you are having a conversation with the chef. Minimal measurements if any at all, rather a casual discussion about how to make the dish, first a little this, then a little that, add some butter, yada yada ya. Now imagine the categories of recipes. There's an entire chapter on snails. Before getting to the desserts, you pass through the aphrodisiac chapter, a while before that, you are grilling a lamb's head. Love it!
This is something of an obscure edition, but a must have for Dali fans and those who like to represent a bit of history on their bookshelf. CHECK IT OUT HERE.
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