The black truffle, also known by its scientific name Tuber melanosporum Vitt, is a fungus that grows underground and is cultivated in certain areas and is highly valued for its distinctive flavour and aroma. It is often found in symbiosis with the roots of various tree species, such as holm oaks, oaks and hazelnut trees, among others. This is because, thanks to these trees, it can obtain the nutrients necessary for its growth and maturation.
This fungus is native to Europe, so it can be found in countries such as France, Spain and Italy. Specifically, it is considered that the best place for its development is in Sarrión, a municipality located in the region of Gúdar-Javalembre, in Teruel, which is known as “La Capìtal de la Trufa Negra” (the capital of the Black Truffle). In fact, this region of our country has the perfect climatic conditions for its cultivation.
As for its physical characteristics, we can say that this truffle is characterised by its rough, dark-coloured skin, which can vary from black to brown. Inside, it is also black, although it has white veins. The size of this mushroom can vary between 3 and 10 centimetres in diameter and its weight can reach up to 300 grams.
Of course, we cannot forget to mention that the whole black truffle is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive delicacies in the world of gourmet gastronomy. In fact, it is used to prepare haute cuisine dishes. This, together with its scarcity, makes it highly valued in the market. It is usually consumed sliced or grated, directly on food, but it can also be used to make truffle sauce to season a wide range of dishes. Therefore, in this article we are going to show you how to use this sauce to achieve dishes of exceptional quality.
How to use truffle sauce in the kitchen?
Truffle sauce is one of the most popular and demanded products of the last seasons due to the fact that it is a more affordable product than black truffles themselves, as it contains a mixture of this gourmet ingredient together with other mushrooms and fungi, olive oil, sunflower oil and black olives.
Although it may seem that the flavour of this gourmet mushroom may be diluted among so many ingredients, the truth is that, as they all have such a mild flavour and the truffles have such a peculiar flavour and aroma, they are reinforced and we obtain an exquisite product that we have no doubt will delight anyone who considers themselves a mushroom lover.
However, in order to correctly apply a recipe with truffle sauce, you must know how to use this ingredient. In fact, if you are not careful, you can end up masking its flavour. Therefore, it is recommended to mix it with dishes that have a fairly mild flavour, such as fried or boiled eggs, rice, pasta or mayonnaise. It can also be mixed in pizzas and salads with mild-flavoured ingredients, among others.
Recipes with truffle sauce
Now that you know the main keys to cooking with black truffle, we are going to show you some recipes with black truffle sauce (Tuber Melanosporum Vitt) to take your dishes to the next level and surprise your friends and family with exquisite gourmet flavours. Keep reading if you want to know them and become a real chef.
Toast with foie gras and truffle sauce
This is one of the easiest ways to cook with truffle sauce, as it requires practically no preparation. However, we advise you not to be overconfident, as the choice of foie gras is important. Remember to choose one that has a rather mild flavour so as not to mask the flavour of the black truffle. To make it, just spread the foie on toast and add a small spoonful of truffle sauce. Delicious!
Spaghetti with parmesan cheese and black truffle sauce
As we have already mentioned, pasta is one of the most allied ingredients to elaborate a recipe with truffle sauce. If we combine it with parmigiano cheese, we find a perfect combination that allows the flavour of this gourmet mushroom to be enhanced. This is because this type of cheese is quite light. We are sure your palate – and that of your guests – will thank you for it.
Fried egg with truffle sauce
Of course, we could not miss one of the most successful recipes to cook with truffle sauce, as the flavour of both ingredients fits perfectly. It is impossible to go wrong in this case, as all you have to do is fry an egg and put a teaspoon of truffle sauce on the yolk. You can serve it with a few small slices of bread to enjoy without much fuss. Keep in mind that sometimes the simplest thing is the most effective and tasty.
Beef carpaccio with rocket, parmigiano cheese and truffle sauce
Another recipe for cooking with black truffle is undoubtedly beef carpaccio, as it has a mild flavour that combines spectacularly with the truffle sauce. In addition, the aroma of the rocket and the touch of parmigiano cheese only enhance the whole.
Therefore, we believe that this is one of the dishes not to be missed if you like the taste and aroma of this gourmet mushroom. It is a very simple dish to prepare, as the base is the beef carpaccio itself, on which the rest of the ingredients are spread. Similarly, if you wish, you can also find black truffle carpaccio in the market to enjoy this delicacy even more.
Pork tenderloin with truffle sauce
Pork tenderloin is another of the tastiest truffle sauce recipes you can enjoy. It is very easy to prepare, and goes perfectly with this sauce, as all you have to do is grill the meat. However, you have to find the perfect point to make the meat as tender as possible. Try to season only with salt and spices that do not add too much aroma or flavour so that the truffle stands out, as the flavour of the sirloin is quite mild.
Boiled potatoes with truffle sauce
Eating boiled or steamed potatoes can become a very boring dish, as it is usually only accompanied by olive oil and a pinch of salt. However, this dish can take on a new dimension if you add a moderate amount of truffle sauce to the potatoes. This sauce is very tasty and combines perfectly with the flavour of the cooked root vegetables, whose flavour is already very mild.
Tomato salad with burrata and truffle sauce
This is another easy recipe with truffle sauce, as all you need is a fresh burrata cheese and chopped ripe, good quality tomatoes. The trick is to make a pleasingly aesthetic composition between these two main ingredients and then season with salt, extra virgin olive oil and add a generous amount of truffle sauce on top of the burrata cheese ball. All in all, this is a healthy and very tasty dish thanks to the fact that it allows you to cook with truffles in a very simple way.
Old cheese with olive oil and truffle sauce
We have seen that truffle sauce goes perfectly with burrata cheese, but it can also be used with other more mature cheeses. For this reason, we bring you this easy and simple recipe for old cheese with olive oil, salt and truffle sauce. Here, you should bear in mind that it is best to choose a type of aged cheese that does not have too strong a flavour so that the truffle flavour stands out and is not obscured.
To make this dish, simply cut several strips of old cheese from a wedge and place them on a plate. The arrangement of the cheese is important and the composition should be visually aesthetically pleasing to surprise your guests. On top you can add a little olive oil and a pinch of salt and, of course, a small spoonful of truffle sauce to give it that special and tasty touch that you like so much.
Hummus with black truffle sauce
Hummus is one of today’s most acclaimed dishes, a creamy preparation made with chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, water and salt. If you want to add truffle sauce to this recipe, you can do so in two ways. The first way is to add a moderate amount of truffle sauce directly to the other ingredients before using the blender to make the sauce. Another way is to spread the hummus on toast and add a small amount of truffle sauce and a parsley leaf to each piece of toast. Undoubtedly, a dish that borders on excellence and is very simple to prepare.
Cheese, mushroom and black truffle sauce pizza
Finally, we don’t want to leave pizzas out of this list of recipes with truffle sauce, as it is one of the dishes in which this gourmet ingredient can be best combined. Its preparation is not too complex and requires you to use the oven to cook the base together with the rest of the ingredients. These include truffled cheese, mushrooms, rocket and, of course, truffle sauce. All these ingredients have a very mild flavour that makes them combine perfectly.
In short, to conclude this article we can say that the versatility of black truffle sauce opens the door to a world of culinary delicacies whose preparation is not too complex and that you cannot miss. From classic foie gras toast to chickpea hummus or gourmet pizzas, these recipes bring out the unique flavour of the truffle, elevating every bite to an exceptional gastronomic experience. Discover the art of cooking with truffles and surprise your palate and that of your guests with these delicious creations, which are exquisite and perfect to impress on any occasion.
