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 known that most truffle oil is made with chemical or natural flavor or aroma, usually not extracted from actual black truffles or white truffles. However, having said that, there are some quality “truffle oils” which have an excellent truffle flavor and serve the purpose of enhancing recipes with the distinct and pleasurable taste and aroma of fresh truffles, even if the oil has never been in direct contact with fresh truffles. In fact, some would argue that commercially produced truffle oil (using natural or chemical aroma and flavor) has a more desirable truffle taste, a longer shelf life, and an overall better result than pure truffle oil made only from infusing oil with real truffles. Let us know what you think. We’d love to hear your opinion.
Truffle oil can in fact be made at home with high quality olive oil and fresh black truffles or fresh white truffles (We will discuss how to make truffle oil in a follow-up article). Because the truffle flavor dissipates quickly, homemade truffle oil (or truffle butter) needs to be used within a few days. The uses for truffle oil whether homemade or store-bought are the same.
The Perfect Finish
Truffle oil is almost exclusively used as a finishing oil, meaning, the truffle oil is drizzled over a dish at the end of the preparation, usually in small amounts. Rule number one is be careful not to overdo it! Truffle oil is not used for cooking. The truffle flavor will be compromised if exposed to high heat.
The last point we’ll make is that truffle oil should not be used in every dish. Though there are endless uses for truffle oil, if three out of five courses include truffle oil, the charm of this unique flavor experience is diminished or even lost.
Top 10 Uses for Truffle Oil:
1. Use truffle oil to enhance the flavor of fresh truffles.
Summer truffles and Burgundy truffles are considerably more mild in flavor than winter truffles, therefore, drizzling white or black truffle oil directly on the fresh truffle slices is one of our favorite uses for truffle oil.
2. Make truffle oil vinaigrette.
Use a teaspoon or two of truffle oil combined with olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper, and dijon mustard. Use truffle oil vinaigrette for salads with mushrooms, summer truffles, hard cheeses and dried or cured meats.
3. Drizzle truffle oil over potatoes, pasta, polenta or risotto.
Widely regarded as one of the top uses for truffle oil, the mild flavored starchy base of potatoes, pasta polenta and risotto makes a perfect match with the flavor of black or white truffle oil.
4. Pizza with truffle oil.
Truffle oil is makes a wonderful addition to pizza crust, especially white pizza.
5. Eggs and truffle oil
This is a great pairing. Whether drizzled over scrambled eggs or an elegant cheese omelette, eggs and truffles are a pairing not to be missed. Though fresh truffles are frequently used with eggs, truffle oil is an inexpensive way to enjoy this classic pairing.
6. Truffle oil goes well with many vegetables.
Some of our favorite combinations include asparagus, cauliflower, sweet potato, yams, corn, mushrooms of any type, and squash of any type.
7. Beef Carpacio
Wonderful with truffle oil. The combination of beef carpacio, shaved Parmesean, arugula, or other bitter green, lemon, and olive oil laced with truffle oil is heavenly. Try adding fresh shaved summer truffles, burgundy truffles or white truffles for a real treat.
8. Dishes using wild mushrooms
Generally can be enhanced with truffle oil. Think wild mushroom risotto, creamy mushroom soup, mushroom ragout, wild mushroom polenta, etc…
9. Finish a fish filet, filet mignon, duck breast or nice piece of lamb with truffle oil.
Many types of fish, red meat, and even chicken, rabbit and other white meats pair well with fresh truffles, which means, they also pair well with truffle oil as well.
10. Truffled popcorn, potato chips and French fries.
Our list of uses for truffle oil would not be complete without this addition. After the cooking process is complete, toss the finished product with salt and truffle oil and enjoy.
by Laurel Pine, www.mirepoix.com
