“Les Diners de Gala”. Image from cvltnation.com
Taschen have announced the first reissue of Salvador Dalí’s “Les Diners de Gala”, since it’s 1973 debut. With only 400 copies of the original surviving, the rare cookbook, until now, has been exclusive to a handful of wealthy art collectors. Described by its publishers as “an artwork, a practical cookbook, and a multisensory adventure”, the publication aims to inject a touch of Surrealism into the kitchen with the 136 recipes compiled by the unlikely new celebrity chef and his wife, Gala.
Recipes including “Thousand Year Old Eggs,” “Veal Cutlets Stuffed With Snails,” “Frog Pasties,” (see recipe at the bottom of article) and “Toffee with Pine Cones” fall under 12 chapter titles such as “Prime Lilliputian malaises” (meat) and “Deoxyribonucleic Atavism” (vegetables). The entirety of Chapter Ten is dedicated to aphrodisiacs, which Dalí named “I Eat GALA”, as a humorous tribute to his wife. Every recipe is accompanied by a Dalí illustration, and the painter’s insightful musings are also scattered through the publication.
Whilst the ingredient list for each recipe is long, the duo’s sumptuous recipes are possible to cook at home. The “cuisine of the old school” will just require a well-stocked kitchen and a bit of patience. But, be warned: in the words of the man himself “If you are a disciple of one of those calorie-counters who turn the joys of eating into a form of punishment, close this book at once; it is too lively, too aggressive, and far too impertinent for you”.
Salvator Dalí. Image from theguardian.com
Salvator Dalí illustration from “Les Diners de Gala”. Image courtesy of Taschen
Recipe for Crayfish from Salvator Dalí illustration from “Les Diners de Gala” Image courtesy of Taschen
Frog pasties recipe
2 tbsp of butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
½ bunch parsley sprigs
1 clove garlic, crushed
36 small frogs legs
4 tbsp of flour
2 egg yolks
1 egg white
255g cream cheese shortening
255ml yogurt
1 container heavy cream
1 bunch chives, chopped
1 tbsp pepper (unground)
salt
“Les Diners de Gala” is released on 20 November and you can pre-order it for €49.99 on Taschen