Of all the specialty oils that have come to market recently one has been overlooked.
White truffle oil has been around for centuries but is not well understood nor used to the extent possible. White truffle oil can be the final ingredient that separates a mundane dish from one that really catches peoples attention.
One truffle oil that is commonly available and not too pricey is "Etruria" Tartufo Bianco ("white truffle" oil. These oils are made with extra virgin olive oil that has been infused with white truffle flavors. (They also produce a black truffle oil).
Truffles are a rare fungal delicacy hence the premium cost. Truffles are seasonal and harvesting is very manually intensive (often animals are used to first detect the location of the truffle just below the soil). The truffles give an earthy robust flavor to the oil which makes for interesting food pairings. The oil is typically drizzled on the prepared food rather than cooked into the recipe. High heat can break down the delicate flavor.
The food pairing possibilities are almost endless. You will have fun experimenting with the addition of white truffle oil to your dishes and then most certainly narrow down your favorites. You may find that a bottle of white truffle oil is necessary as a staple in your pantry.
The suggested food uses are eclectic and varied. People swear by the unmatched flavor that a drizzle of white truffle oil adds to a variety of foods. Some ideas were brie cheese, risotto (or other pasta dishes that lack a strong flavor), slices of warm bread, egg dishes- omelettes, scrambled, fritatta, etc.. Soups are a great way to try white truffle oil. Tomato soup with a drizzle of oil to finish it off adds just the right flavor to change the soup from bland to exciting. Of all of the suggested uses the one that people preferred is popcorn! Try it on some of your favorite foods and see if that extra earthy note is an enhancement to your usual tastes.
Etruria Tartufo Bianco is made in Umbria, Italy. Their website is: www.etruriagourmet.com. The Etruria website also has an extensive list of retail locations in the Bay Area.
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