有「皇子蔬菜」美譽、 季節限定的白露筍每年嚐鮮黃金期有限，珍貴且稀 有。 Cucina意籍總廚Andrea Delzanno特別由即日起至7月4日期間，精挑最上乘的白露筍，炮製 清甜、鮮嫩的白露筍意式美饌，滿足饕客味蕾。
每年春夏季是白露筍的當造期，在歐洲各地都可找到白露筍的蹤影， Andrea卻獨愛德國黑森林出 產的白露筍，以其入饌創作一共7款香氣撲鼻、甘甜美味的白露筍佳餚。Andrea解釋道:「白露 筍的品質和香氣都會因種植區域的土壤和天氣影響而有所不同。德國出產的白露筍最茁壯，質感 幼嫩且鮮甜，品質最佳，每年大約4月下旬開始便是Spargelzeit白露筍季節，是品嚐白露筍的黃 金期。」
當造的白露筍甘甜無比 ，因此 Andrea 認為直接將其白烚煮至幼嫩，然後加入傳統的荷蘭醬汁便能 最原汁原味地帶出白露筍的鮮嫩細膩。烚白露筍伴荷蘭汁及巴馬火腿 (港幣 328) 便是他的最愛， 配以咸香的巴馬火腿同吃，帶來多重層次享受。另一推介生白露筍沙律伴藜麥、海蝦、牛油果及檸 檬汁 (港幣 288) 則是健康美味的前菜選擇。切成小方塊的白露筍和鮮蝦，混合著牛油果和被譽為 超級食物的藜麥，配以清新的檸檬醬汁，輕盈且富營養。
[caption id="attachment_8020" align="alignnone" width="800"]
生白露筍沙律伴藜麥、海蝦、牛油果及檸 檬汁[/caption]
主菜推介白露筍龍蝦意大利雲呑伴車厘茄汁、香草油及意大利青瓜 (港幣 428)，以爽口龍蝦和白露 筍作餡料的意大利雲呑伴上濃郁的車厘茄汁。Andrea 特別在擺盤上花心思，將雲呑拼成如盛開的 花朵，賣相精緻，令人心動着迷。
[caption id="attachment_8018" align="alignnone" width="800"]
白露筍龍蝦意大利雲呑伴車厘茄汁、香草油及意大利青瓜[/caption]
其他主菜選擇包括意大利大闊通粉伴白露筍及日本海膽 (港幣 388)、意大利飯伴白露筍及阿拉斯加 蟹腳 (港幣 408) 和意大利牛仔扒伴白露筍餡餅 (港幣 458) 同樣不容錯過。白露筍菜式由即日起至 7 月 4 日期間之午餐及晚餐時段供應。
Only seasonally available on the menu, highly coveted white asparagus is taking the culinary limelight at Cucina. From now until 4 July, Italian Chef de Cuisine Andrea Delzanno has crafted a series of dishes to showcase the flavourful and aromatic qualities of the "royal vegetable", cherished for its supreme taste and rarity.
White asparagus can be found across Europe but the German variety is especially prized. Chef Andrea selects the finest German white asparagus to create seven white asparagus dishes. “The quality and aroma of white asparagus varies from region to region due to the different soils and weather patterns that effect harvesting. The season of asparagus, also known as Spargelzeit in Germany, usually starts each year from late April. I love to select German white asparagus because of its sweetness and plump size,” Chef Andrea explains.
Chef Andrea believes that the best way to savour white asparagus is to boil it until tender and then add flavourful sauces. Poached White Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce and Parma Ham (HK$328) is his personal favourite. The traditional marriage of Hollandaise sauce with white asparagus enhances the distinctive white asparagus with slightly sour and salty notes of the sauce and ham respectively.
[caption id="attachment_8020" align="alignnone" width="800"] Raw White Asparagus Salad, Quinoa, Shrimps and Avocado with Lemon Dressing[/caption]
Another highlighted appetiser of Raw White Asparagus Salad, Quinoa, Shrimps and Avocado with Lemon Dressing (HK$288) is a healthy choice for gourmands. White asparagus and fresh shrimps are showcased in the form of small cubes, mixed with avocado and celebrated superfood quinoa. Elegantly framed in a flat, square shape on a white plate, this healthy treat accompanied by lemon dressing is deliciously light and refreshing.
[caption id="attachment_8018" align="alignnone" width="800"] Ravioli Filled with Lobster, White Asparagus with Cherry Tomato Sauce, Vanilla Oil and Zucchini[/caption]
The main course of Ravioli Filled with Lobster, White Asparagus with Cherry Tomato Sauce, Vanilla Oil and Zucchini (HK$428) is also beautifully presented as a flower blooming. With a blend of succulent lobster and the finest white asparagus flavoured with cherry tomato sauce, this main is blissful for both white asparagus and ravioli lovers.
Other must-try dishes include Mezze Maniche, Garlic, Olive Oil, Chili, White Asparagus, Japanese Sea Urchin (HK$388), Risotto with White Asparagus, Alaskan King Crab, Mascarpone Cheese, Champagne (HK$408) and Italian Veal Chop, Butter Sage, White Asparagus Gratin, Parmesan Cheese with Marsala Wine Sauce (HK$458).
The chef-crafted white asparagus menu is available from now until 4 July 2018 during lunch and dinner periods.
