Let's Talk Truffles

"Presently, we were aware of an odour gradually coming towards us, something musky, fiery, savoury, mysterious, -- a hot drowsy smell, that lulls the senses, and yet enflames them, -- the truffles were coming.”

William Makepeace Thackeray

Hopefully by now you'll realize these truffles aren't the chocolate kind, far from it. These are the fungi that grow underground and have the most wonderful taste. I had known about truffles before going to school but while I was at school I got to have my first truffle experience. Because they are so expensive and because we were just first years we got to smell/taste white truffle oil. This is oil infused with truffle-ness. And I will admit that I wasn't a huge fan of it. It wasn't until Tracy found some white truffle oil and Superstore and began adding it to mashed potatoes everytime we had them. By March I was a fan. And so while out for pizza a week ago I got really excited when Micheal pulled out his truffle slicer and this tiny little Tuscan truffle. The smell was unbelievable. He shaved paper thin slices on to a pizza bianca (no tomato sauce, just olive oil, garlic, proscuitto, and arugala). Frack! It was so delicious!
I don't know if I can actually describe to you what truffles taste like. Some taste garlicy, some earthy. But it's strange because you just suddenly have this taste in your mouth and its like a breath of truffle air, you can taste it but can't feel it. It's strange, mysterious, and addictive.

If you are interested in given truffles a try I'd start with a bottle of truffle oil, Tracy got her's at Superstore in the Oil section, try there first or maybe a specialty store. Seriously delicious.