The Gardening

La Jardinería
Le Calandre
Chef: Massimiliano Alajmo
Country: Italia
City: 35030 Sarmeola di Rubano (Padua)
Address: Liguria, 1
(+39) 049630303

This is the most natural, light, fresh, floral, aromatic and colorful tartar in existence. Nature in all its splendor. A delicate Piemontese beef, chopped and ground, seasoned and eaten with hands in its pure state. The flowers, more than simple decorations, powdered fruits – raspberries, currants and rose water –, as well as the arugula, bring gastronomic color to the raw product. The diner is converted into an accomplice, grasping the meat with their fingers, feeling around for the distinct elements; participating in the finished work. Defining possibilities, Massimiliano Alajmo wields his practice as second in command. Adding this or that flower or fruit, taking some away…with the inherent charm of placing his hand in the dish and deciding according to his aesthetic appreciation. And do what he may, he never questions the work of the master, which is above simple categorizations of good and bad, and always approaches everything with a gourmet perspective and an artistic mentality.



The Recipe



Ingredients

  • 360 g Piemontese beef shoulder
  • 25 g mild oil
  • 2 g pink pepper
  • lemon juice
  • salt
  • 30 g mineral water

Other ingredients

  • powdered raspberries
  • powdered currants
  • rose-perfumed sugar
  • parsley
  • arugula leaves
  • oil
  • salt
  • flower petals

Method

Using a knife, crush the Piemontese beef shoulder; season with oil, lemon, salt, Peruvian pink pepper and sparkling mineral water. Form 3 little mounds of meat, place them on a glass plate and draw out 3 lines of powder: one of raspberry, one of currant and the last of rose sugar.
Decorate with 3 large, cut parsley leaves and 3 small leaves of arugula lightly dressed with oil and salt. Finish with a splash of oil and some flower petals. When serving, suggest that the guest “wet” the meat in the different powders and herbs. Accompany with a warm napkin aromatized with rose, anise and orange.