|
Truffles
Truffles are a fungus grown
and harvested predominantly in France and Italy. Gourmets have treasured
"black pearls" for their aroma and taste for 3500 years. Truffles grow 3-12
inches deep around the roots of chestnut, oak, hazel, and beech trees. Truffles are just
like their cousin the mushroom only growing under ground instead of above ground. Humans
use specially trained pigs or dogs to sniff out and dig up these aromatic and priceless
delicacies. Though pigs are better at ferreting out the truffles, dogs are easier to
control once they have retrieved the brown, black or white fungus. Truffles are literally
worth more than their weight in gold.
Pasta
With White Truffles Olive Oil Parmesan And Basil
1 c
Dark Green Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tablespoon Dark Green Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Angel Hair Pasta For 6 Servings
2 tablespoon Julienne Of Fresh Basil
Salt
Freshly Ground White Pepper
1/4 cup Freshly Grated Reggiano Parmesan Cheese
2 ounces Fresh White Truffles
Instructions:
In a large pot, bring 8 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil; add the 3 tablespoons of
olive oil.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, no more than two minutes;
drain well.
Toss the pasta with the cup of olive oil, half the basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Mound the pasta in the middle of each of 6 heated large serving plates.
Sprinkle the pasta with the Parmesan Cheese.
With a truffle shaver or swivel-bladed vegetable peeler, shave the truffle over each
serving.
Garnish with the remaining basil.
Truffle Recipes and Truffle Sources
See our
GourmetSleuth
Truffle Recipes and
Resources |
|
Truffle
Shaver Truffles
are very aromatic and flavorful (not to mention expensive) and a little goes a very long
way. A truffle shaver is the perfect tool to use to making fine sheds to use over
pasta or any recipe that uses truffles. This handy
tool is very well made and will last a lifetime. It also works well as a
chocolate shaver. Buy a truffle shaver at
GourmetSleuth.com
Typical Truffle Products
Fresh Truffles - white or
black
Fresh truffles are available in your local gourmet deli as well as mail order or online
sources (See our Resources)
Truffle Powder - Dried and pulverized truffles.
Provides a delicate earthy flavor to soups, stews, risotto and
polenta.
Truffle Oil - Normally these are high quality olive
oils infused with refined truffle essence. Use to finish a salad, risotto, or vegetables.
Truffle Cream - Truffle creams are 'pastes' made with a
variety of ingredients such as anchovy, garlic, oil, along with the truffle. Use the
cream for canapés, snacks, grilled french bread toasts, or crostini.
Truffle
Salt -
The ultimate way to enjoy black
truffles. A blend of ground Italian black truffle
and sea salt is a new pantry essential. Try over
cooked egg dishes, tossed in pasta, on pâté or foie gras, or sprinkled on
buttered popcorn and served with a glass of spumante! A
“special occasion” condiment!.
Buy Truffle Salt at
GourmetSleuth.com
Where To Find
As with any ingredient of this
type you should carefully select your resource. Make sure to deal with a company who
has a reputation for providing high quality gourmet foods.
|
