Truffles? Truffle Oil?
I really enjoy truffle oil in restaurant dishes and noticeably miss it when I recreate those dishes at home. I know that "real" truffle oil is difficult to find but I can't seem find anything even truffle flavored (I've heard the synthetic stuff tastes better anyway). I know if I could buy truffles (come in a jar I think?) I could make my own oil but they are just as elusive. Any tips on where to find this stuff? I live in Houston, if it matters.
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9 Comments:
Check on Amazon.com for truffles, truffle oil, and truffle salt. I just ordered some truffle salt - can't wait!
My daughter got me two bottles of white truffle oil spray for Christmas at TJMax for cryin' out loud! Wow. Love the stuff.
Fanciesmom at 7:15PM on 09/21/08
I see you live in Houston. Do you have a Central Market (HEB)? They'll have both. Also try Whole foods.
From your friendly ex-pat Texan living in Annapolis.
carolrsf at 8:31PM on 09/21/08
I just checked Williams Sonoma online. They have it.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku3438561/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1|16|||0|||||||truffle%20oil&cm_src=SCH
katarina_santiago at 9:01PM on 09/21/08
The suggestions I was going to give have already been mentioned. I live in Houston as well and there is a Central Market in Downtown, off of Westheimer. Williams Sonoma is kind of across the street from Central Market. I would also try a store called Sir La Table (I know there is one in Houston but not sure of the location). Hope this helps :)
jenn3250 at 9:23PM on 09/21/08
Chaos - if you love the earthy taste of truffles, try this truffle salt. I tasted it at Dean and DeLuca once and bought it because the truffle taste is so pronounced, I circled the entire store and could still taste truffle in my mouth. Sold.
Here's a link to salish. BF got me some after we sampled it at Oystercatchers in Tampa. I give about 1/4 cup of it as a gift with a printed sheet of suggestions on how to use it. If you dare, try this stuff. A warning... If you like smoky flavored foods, you'll be hooked. Check out other salts on that site.
therealchiffonade at 5:05AM on 09/22/08
Hubby can't get enough mushrooms, truffles or any other fungus known to man. (Can you tell I can't stand the stuff?) He buys an extra virgin olive oil with white truffle flavouring. He had the real thing once, but says this is an excellent substitute - and much cheaper. Guess it's worth giving it a shot. The brand is Monini Flavoured Extra Virgin Olive Oil White Truffle, product of Italy. I can't attest to it. Hubby likes pre-made Old El Paso Taco meat, so we're not talking about a gourmet palate here. Thought I'd comment for what it's worth.
Josdean at 6:16AM on 09/22/08
I use truffle oil on mashed potatoes and truffle salt on about anything that requires that pinch of salt....turned my wife into a truffle junkie...I'll get mine delivered to my doorstep from amazon
Markbb at 9:00AM on 09/22/08
Try the Black Truffle salt from Whole Foods 3.5 oz for $12.99...from what I've heard a "real deal" and amazingly fragrant.Had mine for months (keep in fridge) and a little goes a long way.
bessfour at 12:38PM on 09/22/08
You're right, living in Houston doesn't matter. Truffles have been a real bogey for me for ages. The ones sold relatively inexpensively in jars (I got some at Speck's in Houston for under $20) are generally insipid, no matter what anyone says and so they are a waste of $$$.
I just bought some truffle salt at Delaurenti in Seattle($25, 5% Italian black truffle, not melanosporum, in fleur de sel), it's only OK. The best things I've come across are truffle oil I bought at Hediard in Paris (really superb drizzled over soups, stews, well, anything!) for about 9E and most amazingly, fresh truffles grown in Oregon at Uwajimaya in Seattle. The last seemed the closest a retail shopper can get to the fabulous fungi from the Perigord. Sigh.....
Pointy at 6:45PM on 09/22/08