My job is a bit like a game show. You go to work and if you are lucky you just might win employee of the week. With this comes the prize of 1. choosing lunch for everyone in the office for our weekly work lunch 2. a $50 gift card . Recently I was employee of the week and won a shiny gift card to Dean & Deluca.
Dean & Deluca for those that have never been is basically heaven for a foodie. They have everything you want from relatively good produce, a large amount of cheeses, and a pretty big bakery department (though most stuff comes from other high end bakeries like Amy's Bread). I had $50 burning a whole in my pocket and then I saw it. One lone black truffle. I bought it (ended up being 35 bucks) and then also got some fresh organic greens and a hunk of parmigiano-reggiano. My goal was to make a elegant omelet with my black truffle.
As I walked home my mind raced through all the stories I have read about truffles. The intrigue and double crossing that always seems to surround them makes it all the more exciting. I almost felt like I had been on at least one truffle expedition with my pet pig. Of course I have never but the mystery is there. This small fungi had a very high status in my head.
The smell of the truffle definitely was different. I don't think it was that fresh (not frozen at all but still probably taking from the ground a good while ago) but still that savory/sweet scent stayed with me. Now more then ever do I want to smell and taste a truffle just pulled from the ground.
I made a simple omelet with a large amount of truffle grated into it and on top of it. To this I added salt, pepper, and grated cheese. I made a nice orange vinaigrette and drizzled that on top of the mixed greens. All in all the black truffle didn't make me gasp but still the meal as a whole was very satisfying. Probably one of the most enjoyable meals I have had in awhile. Before this I had always had black and white truffles as part of an oil or butter - and really you don't get even close to the same perfume or taste.
Next I think I am going to try and get a simple pasta with white truffles shaved on top. Its important to have goals in life.
