Living the compost life

Growing up with a father who was a chef, and myself working in the food industry has made me passionate about culinary arts. I’ve constantly been open to exploring new dishes, which has led to some great experiences. Recently, I stumbled upon a dish that I couldn’t resist trying.

The menu had a dish called compost baked onion that immediately grabbed my attention and sparked my culinary curiosity. I couldn’t help but imagine onions nestled in a compost heap, but I soon realized that my mental image was far from the truth.

Before delving into the technical aspects, I would like to share with you my encounter with a unique cooking method for onions and the flavors that accompanied it.

In front of me, there lay a plate that was an exquisite masterpiece in its modesty. A trio of scale leaves formed the foundation, cradling a tiny bowl of truffle foam which was placed upon a bed of fried forest mushrooms, and garnished with Jerusalem artichoke chips. The scent that wafted from the dish was irresistible and eminently appetizing. Instantly, I felt ravenously hungry.

As I began to take my first bite, I felt a sense of excitement that was unfamiliar to me. As soon as the food touched my tongue, a burst of flavors exploded in my mouth. The richness of the onions, combined with the smoothness of the mushrooms and truffle foam, was truly indescribable. The crispy chips added a perfect crunch to the dish, and with every bite, I experienced an instant sensation of pleasure. This was exactly how the dish was meant to taste, without a single ingredient overpowering the others.

The culinary creation was nothing short of excellent.

Let’s delve into the process. The onions weren’t left to bake in a compost heap for an extended period, as one might assume. Instead, the restaurant utilized a specialized composting device to process their vegetable scraps, resulting in a highly aromatic compost bed. This compost acted as a base for baking the onions in the oven where the food absorbed all the intricate flavors present in the compost. A truly astounding technique.