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Truffle Hunting On The Périgord: The Quest For The Black Diamonds Of Cuisine
We never thought we would do this, even though we have been traveling for more than two decades. But there we were, traveling on the Périgord, going to the small hamlet of Péchalifour, near Saint-Cyprien, where truffle farmer Edouard Aynaud, would take us on a truffle hunt with his two dogs, trained to sniff and point, but not eat, the black Périgord truffle. We had eaten black truffles before — and they tasted like the scent of old libraries: arcane yet grand, laden with the taste of history and mystery. And sometimes, with a hint of bitter chocolate. But going on an actual truffle hunt was a pilgrimage of sorts,…
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How to Incorporate Specialty Gourmet Foods into Your Menu
Many people enjoy eating specialty gourmet foods and luxury foods at restaurants and for special occasions, but don’t really know how to incorporate these fancy foods into their menu at home. Once you get used to using specialty gourmet foods, you’ll see new and creative opportunities to add these ingredients to your menu almost every day. Foie Gras Who would have guessed that foie gras is one of the most versatile and easy to incorporate specialty gourmet foods? Just by adding foie gras to an existing recipe, many dishes can easily be elevated to an impressive gourmet meal. In general, foie gras complements almost any type of red meat, exotic…
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Experience Provence on a Fine Food Truffle Farm for a Sensory Experience!
LES PASTRAS ORGANIC TRUFFLE FARM TOUR – TRUFFLE HUNTING “There are two types of people who eat truffles: those who think truffles are good because they are dear and those who know they are dear because they are good.” — J.L. Vaudoyer Looking for a deliciously unique experience in France? Why not experience Provence, off the beaten track with one of France’s most traditional and secretive countryside traditions: The truffle hunt! LES PASTRAS conducts truffle-hunting tours in English during summer and winter truffle seasons, followed by a sampling of fresh truffle hors d’oeuvres, Champagne, and a tasting of Les Pastras’s olive and truffle oil. An interesting experience, immersed in nature…
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How and When to Use Black vs White Truffle Oil
When to use black vs white truffle oil is less clear cut than the question of black vs white truffles. When using fresh truffles in cooking, the two species are rarely interchangeable. The use of black vs white truffle oil follows some of the same rationale as using fresh truffles; however, in many cases either of the two truffle oils can be used with equally good results. It is best to first understand how fresh black vs white truffles are used. Fresh Black Truffles In general, black truffles are better when they are cooked. The full flavor and aroma is released when black truffles are heated or cooked, therefore they…
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Luxury Recipe: Truffle Recipes: Baked Figs with Black Truffles and Prosciutto
These prosciutto wrapped honey mustard baked figs, set on top of fried goat cheese and Australian black truffles and drizzled with top quality aged balsamic vinegar makes a delicious appetizer. Australian black truffles reach their peak maturity in mid July; the combination with fresh ripe black mission figs is perfect. If you don’t have a premium quality aged balsamic vinegar such as Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Reggio Emilia, Gold Label on hand, you can reduce 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar combined with about 1/4 cup sugar or honey. Simmer the mixture until reduced to 1/8 cup. Ingredients: 4 slices Proscuitto de Parma, cut in half lengthwise 8 ripe black mission figs, stems…
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Recipe: Grilled Cheese with Truffle Oil, Arugula and Summer Truffles
This recipe for Grilled Cheese with Truffle Oil, Arugula and Summer Truffles is a wonderful way to enjoy the subtle flavor of summer truffles. The Morbier cheese, spicy arugula, and nutty summer truffles, enhanced with black truffle oil make an exceptional sandwich. Grilled Cheese with Truffle Oil, Arugula and Summer Truffles Ingredients: four slices good quality, dense Italian bread 1 cup arugula 1 – 2 ounces summer truffles, sliced thin Morbier cheese, about 5 ounces, sliced 2 teaspoons black truffle oil fleur de sel Instructions: Using a pastry brush, apply the black truffle oil to one side of each of the four pieces of bread, using about 1 1/2 teaspoons…
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RECIPE | Fonduta with Fresh White Truffles
Fresh white truffles surely are one of the culinary world’s most unique and impressive ingredients. I’ve made a lot of white truffle recipes, and I always conclude that the most simple are really the best. This recipe takes only about 15 minutes to make, and highlights the white truffle flavor magnificently. Purchase the best quality fontina you can find. The flavor in the cheese is what makes the fonduta delicious. I served this with a buttery, full bodied Chardonnay and I thought the wine pairing was perfect with the creamy fonduta. Fonduta with Fresh White Truffles INGREDIENTS 7 ounces fontina cheese 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 ounces…
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Editor Selects: Beautiful Champagne, Inside and Out!
Liquid luxury touches the lips, enticing the palate, dazzling to look at, its glorious color, scent and taste. Adorning you, jewels and colors that make you sparkle. Luxury, from head to toe! Our Editor selects a collection of jewelry, treats and beauty to complete any Champagne experience! #ChampagneForever
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Top 10 Uses for Truffle Oil
Do you want to know how to use truffle oil? There are so many uses for truffle oil, it’s hard to know where to start and where to stop. We’ve narrowed the list down to our top 10 uses for truffle oil. In most cases, either black truffle oil or white truffle oil can be used interchangeably, based on one’s personal taste preference. Facts About Truffle Oil Before we get into the list, there are a few facts about truffle oil that are important to know. There are different types of truffle oil on the market, most ranging in price from $2 – $8 per ounce. It is becoming increasingly…
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Distinguishing Between Perigord Black Truffles and Chinese Black Truffles
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with Chinese truffles. Consumers simply need to be aware that Chinese black truffles (Tuber sinensis, Tuber indicum and Tuber himalayensis) are a different variety of black truffles than the prized Perigord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum). Chinese truffles are winter black truffles, which are abundantly available in China, and wholesale for as little as $20 to $30 per pound. In contrast, Perigord truffles, mostly harvested in France, start at $800 per pound wholesale. Chinese vs. Perigord Chinese truffles are often used in pate or economical truffle products. There is demand for lower priced products containing truffles, and the Chinese truffle provides a solution for this market.…
For Connoisseurs with Discerning Taste
