Michael Van De Elzen, owner of the award-winning Molten in Mount Eden, Auckland, but perhaps more widely known for his television show,
The Food Truck in which he cooks healthier versions of fast food in the back of a truck, has now put out
The Molten Cookbook (Random House). His food is stylish and innovative, plated like works of art, and, like much restaurant food, uses various relishes, oils, pestos, stocks, purees, dressings, syrups, slurries and glazes.
Whether it's a cauliflower soup garnished with deep-fried garlic skins, chocolate torte with whisky ice cream and tobacco syrup, a rich chocolate cake covered with grilled meringues, asparagus with beetroot, crumbed sweetbreads and balsamic crystals, or a jelly tip cocktail (Baileys, creme de cacao, cream raspberry cordial and dark chocolate) there's a lot to drool over here, and perhaps a few recipes for adventurous home cooks to try or to inspire chefs.
