While not a traditional surf and turf, this recipe offers a conceptual twist on the idea by taking a salad famous for its anchovy (surf) element and boldly replacing it with spicy chorizo (turf). This inventive substitution is the starting point for a dish that is both familiar in spirit and thrillingly original.
The recipe was born from the question of what would happen if a Caesar salad got an “extreme makeover.” The anchovies, a key umami component of the classic dressing, are swapped out in favour of smoky, paprika-rich chorizo. This single change shifts the entire flavour profile from the sea to the land, creating a heartier, warmer dish.
The transformation continues with the dressing, which eschews the traditional garlic and anchovy base for a vibrant coriander-pesto style sauce. This fresh, herby creation is a world away from a classic Caesar dressing but provides the same creamy, coating function, tying all the ingredients together beautifully.
This dish is a testament to creative culinary evolution. By deconstructing a classic and rebuilding it with bold new components like chorizo, crispy butter beans, and a coriander dressing, it creates a modern “turf and turf” masterpiece that stands proudly on its own.