Truffles

[Oblomov]

I have had a lifelong ambition to eat some really good truffles, but not only have never done so, but don't know how best to enjoy them. I do not want the miniscule shavings added to other dishes, but eat them in large chunks like they do in some posh movie dinners. The problem is, I have no idea how they should be cooked, seasoned or eaten. Someone please enlighten me!

[Adam]

I take it these are not chocolate :blush:

[happyanddandy]

I take it these are not chocolate :blush:

Some sort of rare fungi I believe :mrgreen:

[Kylie]

Don't know if this will help, Oblomov, but there's a small section on culinary use at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuber_%28genus%29#Culinary_use).

I haven't tried them myself (I prefer the chocolate variety :mrgreen:).

[Oblomov]

No, not the chocolate variety, you can get those anywhere. I meant the rare mushrooms that are found in Italy and some other temperate climates. I have seen that Wikipedia link Kylie, but it only describes the Truffles themselves, not how to eat them.

I may be wrong, but I think lightly roasted truffles are sometimes eaten like a snack with pre-dinner cocktails in uppity gatherings. I'll try to get myself invited to an X-mas do in Buckingham Palace or similar!:mrgreen:

[Echo]

Here is a site with some recipes:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/mushroomRecipes.htm

[Oblomov]

Thanks Echo. The Truffles Canapes must be what I was referring to earlier. But instead of mere shavings, some place small truffles chunks on the bread.

[Freewheeling Andy]

Truffles are incredibly strongly flavoured, though. When I've had tiny amounts of white albi truffle, say, grated on to linguini, you'd really not want any more because the flavour is overpowering. I'm not sure there are any sensible dishes that involve eating whole truffles. I've eaten a cvouple of meals at very high-end restaurants when too many courses had a hint of truffle here or there and again, it eventually becomes too much (at least for me).

[FishAndChips]

Andy you're so posh :)

[Oblomov]

In The Times today; A single Italian Alba (white) truffle weighing 750g was sold at a Hong Kong auction recently for a whopping £102,000!!! That would make it about 10 times the price of its weight in gold!