White Truffle Oil And Cheese: Perfect Pairing Ideas

White truffle oil is a versatile ingredient that can elevate simple dishes and add a gourmet touch to your cooking. With its unique, earthy flavour, a little goes a long way in enhancing the taste of your meals. So, what are the best pairings for white truffle oil and cheese? From pasta to pizza, salads to soups, and even popcorn, there are numerous ways to combine these two indulgent ingredients for a delicious result.

Truffle cheese toasties

Ingredients

• 2 slices of sourdough bread
• 80g of cheddar cheese
• 80g of cooking mozzarella
• 1 tbsp of truffle mustard
• 1 tbsp of butter
• 1 tbsp of olive oil

Optional Ingredients

• Ham
• Parmesan cheese
• Truffle mayo
• Truffle honey

Method

• Grate the cheddar and slice the mozzarella.
• Spread truffle mustard on one slice of bread.
• Pile on the cheeses. If you're including ham, add it now.
• Place the other slice of bread on top.
• Set a frying pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter.
• Once the butter has melted, place the sandwich in the pan and leave to toast for a few minutes before flipping and toasting the other side. You are aiming for a deep brown crispy crust with all the cheese melted.
• Remove the toastie from the pan and slice in half before serving.

Tips

• If you have a panini press, use that instead of a frying pan.
• Truffle Guys UK recommends spreading butter on the outside of each slice of bread and sprinkling a light layer of Parmesan cheese on the inside of the sandwich.
• For an extra indulgent treat, Truffle Guys UK also suggests drizzling truffle honey over the toastie before serving.

Truffle mash with chicken

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (russet or red skin)
• Butter
• Cream (light or heavy)
• Chicken broth (optional)
• Garlic
• Truffle oil
• Salt and pepper
• Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into even-sized cubes. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender, which should take around 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.

Step 2: Make the Mash

Add butter, cream, and chicken broth (if using) to the potatoes. Mash everything together until you achieve your desired consistency. For a richer, creamier mash, feel free to add more butter and cream. Season the mash with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Infuse the Garlic

While the potatoes are cooking, you can prepare the garlic. Roast a whole head of garlic by cutting off the top to expose the cloves, drizzling it with olive oil, and wrapping it in foil. Roast in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. This process gives the garlic a rich, mellow flavour. Once roasted, squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them into a paste.

Step 4: Add the Truffle Oil and Garlic

Mix the mashed garlic and truffle oil into the potatoes. Be generous with the truffle oil, as it is the star flavour of the dish. You can also add more mashed garlic, but be careful not to overpower the delicate truffle flavour. Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 5: Prepare the Chicken

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. You can bake, roast, or fry the chicken to your desired doneness. For a simple baked chicken, place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish and cook in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-25 minutes, or until the juices run clear.

Step 6: Plate and Serve

Serve the truffle mash alongside the chicken. Drizzle a little extra truffle oil on top of the mash for added flavour and a luxurious finish. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips and Variations:

• For an even more indulgent dish, add some grated truffle cheese on top of the mash before serving.
• If you want to elevate the dish further, try using chicken broth instead of water to cook the potatoes. This will add more depth of flavour to the mash.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of truffle oil and garlic to suit your taste preferences. Remember, the truffle flavour should be prominent but not overpowering.

Truffle pasta

Pasta is a beloved dish across the world and it's no surprise that truffles make a great addition to it. Here are some tips and tricks to elevate your pasta dish with truffles:

Choosing the Right Truffle

When it comes to truffles, you have a few options. The most prized and aromatic type is the white truffle, mainly found in the Piedmont region of Italy. Black truffles, also known as "black diamonds", have a more subtle and earthy flavour and are sourced from the French regions of Perigord and Burgundy. Summer and winter truffles are other varieties to consider, with the former being milder in flavour and the latter having a stronger, earthier taste.

Pasta Shapes and Sauces

Truffle oil pairs well with various pasta shapes, from long strands like spaghetti to nest-shaped pasta like tagliolini. When it comes to sauces, common pasta flavours like cheese, mushroom, garlic, and alfredo complement the unique truffle taste. However, it's important to remember that truffles have a strong flavour, so a little goes a long way.

Adding the Truffle

If using truffle oil, it's best to add it right before serving as a finishing oil. This is because truffle oil has a low smoke point and can lose its flavour when exposed to high heat. Simply drizzle a small amount of truffle oil over your cooked pasta and gently toss to coat each strand or shape.

Cheese and Other Toppings

As mentioned earlier, cheese is a classic pairing with truffles. When it comes to truffle pasta, a good option is to use a creamy, nutty cheese like gruyere or parmesan. Other suitable cheeses include gouda, brie, manchego, and blue cheese. In addition to cheese, you can top your truffle pasta with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or tarragon.

Wine Pairing

To complete your truffle pasta experience, consider pairing it with a glass of sparkling wine or pinot noir. These wines will complement the earthy, nutty flavours of the truffles and cheese, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Truffle hummus

A delicious and versatile dish, truffle hummus is a unique twist on the traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean classic. It is a perfect appetizer, snack, dip, spread, or side and can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Here is a detailed recipe and some serving suggestions to get you started.

Ingredients:

• Canned chickpeas (2 cups)
• Baking soda
• Raw garlic (1-2 cloves)
• Truffle oil (start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste)
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, from 1-2 lemons)
• Tahini (2 tablespoons)
• Water or aquafaba (chickpea liquid) (1-2 tablespoons)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings and Garnishes:

• Drizzle of olive oil
• Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• Hot sauce

Instructions:

• Place the chickpeas in a medium saucepan and add the baking soda. Cover the chickpeas with several inches of water and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for about 20 minutes, or until the chickpeas are soft and their skins are falling off. Drain the chickpeas and run cool water over them.
• In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Process until the garlic is finely chopped, then let the mixture rest for 5 minutes or longer to mellow the garlic flavour.
• Add the drained chickpeas, truffle oil, olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, aquafaba, and salt and pepper to the food processor. Process until the hummus is coarsely pureed.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remember, a little truffle oil goes a long way, so add it gradually to suit your taste.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers, pita bread, or fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and celery sticks.

Tips:

• For an even creamier hummus, use the aquafaba (liquid from the chickpea can) instead of water. If your hummus is too thick, add a little more aquafaba to thin it out.
• To mellow the flavour of raw garlic, let it sit in lemon juice before blending.
• If you want to add a little extra truffle flavour, try drizzling truffle oil over the hummus just before serving.

Truffle popcorn

A delicious snack that's ready in minutes, truffle popcorn combines rich butter with the savoury flavour of truffles. It's an indulgent twist on the classic movie-viewing treat.

Ingredients

• Popcorn Kernels
• Truffle Oil (white or black)
• Nutritional Yeast or Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Salt
• Garlic Powder (optional)
• Black Pepper (optional)

Method

Pop your kernels in the microwave or on the stove. Drizzle over the truffle oil and add the nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese and salt. Toss to coat evenly and serve immediately.

Tips

For an extra special touch, top with shaved truffles. If you're a garlic lover, add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to the popcorn for an extra kick. A dash of black pepper will also add some extra savoury flavour.

Choosing Your Oil

You can use either white or black truffle oil, but white truffle oil is the preferred option. It has a delicate and slightly garlicky flavour that pairs well with popcorn. Black truffle oil, on the other hand, has a more robust flavour and is typically paired with stronger-flavoured foods.

Frequently asked questions