A Gourmet Guide to Starting Cooking with Truffles

Cooked Tuber melanosporum

Truffles, often hailed as the diamonds of the kitchen, are a rare and exquisite delicacy that can elevate any dish to gourmet status.

These subterranean fungi, known for their distinct and aromatic flavour, are a favourite among chefs and food enthusiasts alike. 

While they can be pricey, incorporating truffles into your cooking can be a rewarding and indulgent experience. This guide will help you start your culinary journey with truffles, using British measurements and spelling to ensure you're well-equipped to create delicious, truffle-infused dishes.

Understanding Truffles

Before diving into the kitchen, it's important to understand the different types of truffles and their unique characteristics:

Black Truffles (Tuber melanosporum): Also known as Périgord truffles, these are highly prized for their robust and earthy flavour. They are typically harvested in winter and are best enjoyed fresh.

White Truffles (Tuber magnatum): Originating from Italy, these truffles are incredibly aromatic and have a delicate, slightly garlicky flavour. They are usually found from October to December.

Summer Truffles (Tuber aestivum): These are milder in flavour compared to their winter counterparts, with a subtle nutty taste. They are harvested from May to September.

Burgundy Truffles (Tuber uncinatum): Similar to summer truffles but with a stronger flavour, these truffles are available from September to December.

Purchasing and Storing Truffles

When buying truffles, ensure you purchase from reputable suppliers to guarantee quality and authenticity. Fresh truffles should be firm to the touch and have a strong, pleasant aroma.

To store fresh truffles, wrap them in a paper towel and place them in an airtight container in the fridge. Change the paper towel daily to prevent moisture build-up. Properly stored, truffles can last up to a week. For longer storage, truffles can be frozen or preserved in rice or oil, although this may slightly alter their flavour.

Preparing Truffles

Truffles are best used fresh and should be handled delicately to preserve their flavour and aroma. Here are a few tips for preparing truffles:

Cleaning: Gently brush off any dirt with a soft brush or damp cloth. Avoid soaking truffles in water as this can diminish their flavour.

Shaving and Slicing: Use a truffle shaver or a very sharp knife to shave or slice truffles thinly. The thinner the slices, the more surface area there is to release their aroma and flavour.

Infusing: Truffles can be infused into oils, butter, and even eggs to impart their distinctive taste.

Cooking with Truffles

Truffles are versatile and can be used in various dishes. Here are some simple yet delicious ways to incorporate truffles into your cooking:

Truffle Butter: Mix finely grated truffle into softened butter and season with a pinch of sea salt. This can be spread on bread, melted over steak, or used to finish pasta dishes.

Truffle Oil: Drizzle truffle oil over salads, risottos, or mashed potatoes for an instant flavour boost. Be sure to use high-quality truffle oil, as many cheaper versions are artificially flavoured.

Pasta and Risotto: Add freshly shaved truffles to pasta or risotto just before serving. The heat from the dish will enhance the truffle's aroma.

Eggs: Truffles pair wonderfully with eggs. Try shaving truffles over scrambled eggs, omelettes, or a simple egg toast.

Meat and Fish: Truffles complement rich meats like beef, lamb, and poultry, as well as delicate fish. A few shavings can transform a simple dish into a gourmet delight.

Truffle Recipes

To get you started, here are a couple of easy truffle recipes:

Truffle Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients:

4 large eggs

20g fresh black truffle, finely shaved

30g unsalted butter

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk until smooth.

Melt the butter in a non-stick pan over low heat.

Pour in the eggs and cook gently, stirring continuously until creamy.

Season with salt and pepper, then fold in half the shaved truffle.

Serve immediately, topped with the remaining truffle shavings.

Truffle Risotto

Ingredients:

300g Arborio rice

1 litre chicken or vegetable stock, kept warm

1 small onion, finely chopped

100ml dry white wine

50g Parmesan cheese, grated

30g unsalted butter

20g fresh black truffle, finely shaved

2 tbsp olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent.

Stir in the Arborio rice and cook for 2-3 minutes, ensuring each grain is coated with oil.

Pour in the white wine and cook until it has evaporated.

Begin adding the warm stock, one ladleful at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next.

Continue until the rice is al dente and creamy.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter, Parmesan cheese, and half the truffle shavings. Season to taste.

Serve immediately, topped with the remaining truffle shavings.

We hope these links will be of use to you:-

https://www.londonfinefoods.co.uk/category/truffles

https://www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk/blog/the-fine-food-specialist-guide-to-truffles

https://wiltshiretruffles.com/shop

https://www.welshtruffles.com/products

https://www.modekitchenandbar.com.au/event/truffle-menu-winter

The above links aren't sponsored, we just thought they'd be helpful to you.

Conclusion

Cooking with truffles can seem intimidating at first, but with a bit of knowledge and practice, you'll be able to create impressive and delicious dishes. Remember, a little goes a long way with truffles, so use them sparingly to let their unique flavour shine. Whether you're adding a touch of luxury to a simple dish or creating a gourmet feast, truffles are sure to impress and delight your taste buds. Happy cooking!