Cooking is always an exciting experience and an ongoing practice that allows you to develop your skills over time. However, with countless hours spent in the kitchen trying to produce delicious dishes and refining go-to recipes, these may become overused or bland over time. With that, it is essential to find ways to elevate your dishes to keep them fresh and exciting. Luckily, truffle oil is an excellent ingredient to help add a sophisticated touch to even your most-used dishes. With a little creativity, you can impart unique flavors in seconds.

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What is truffle oil?

A truffle is a rare and expensive fungus that looks similar to a mushroom. It grows underground in particular trees and varies depending on the type of tree it is associated with. The reason why these are so rare is because they are hard to source, usually by having a truffle hog dig for them. 

Truffle oil is a modern culinary ingredient used to impart flavor and aroma to certain dishes. It is made by infusing olive oil with truffles. Additionally, there are different types of truffle oils: black truffle oil and white truffle.

The Health Benefits of Truffles and Truffle Oil

Truffle oil's benefits extend beyond its exquisite taste. For many years, various restaurants and recipes have featured this chef’s delight. However, while you can add the oil to enhance the flavor of any dish, it also carries various health benefits.

Fresh truffles are low in calories and fat, but they contain a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly rich in potassium as well as vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports immune health. However, the amount of these nutrients in truffle oil is likely to be negligible, given that it's typically used sparingly.

How to Use Truffle Oil in the Kitchen

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Now that we’ve understood what truffle oil is and its benefits, how can we elevate our dishes with this gourmet ingredient? Here are a few tips on how to add a sophisticated touch to common recipes. 

1. Drizzle truffle oil on top of popcorn

Class up a favorite movie snack by drizzling a little bit of the oil on top. Make sure to do this step last, after your popcorn is finished popping. A little goes a long way, so it is also important to use only a small amount.

2. Use it on pasta dishes

Incorporating truffle oil into pasta is one of the most popular ways to use this ingredient. You can even incorporate fresh mushrooms into your pasta for a well-rounded dish. After topping your pasta with the oil, make sure to use lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese to finish it off.

3. Mac n’ Cheese

While mac n’ cheese is pasta too, truffle mac deserves a highlight of its own. Simply prepare your mac n’ cheese as normal, then add truffle oil for an out-wordly version of a childhood favorite!

4. Mix into mashed potatoes

Adding truffle to potatoes cooked in any way is always a good option. However, doing this with mashed potatoes is just next level. Once you’ve finished mashing your potatoes, stir in some of the truffle oil and Parmesan cheese. Then top with freshly chopped chives.

5. Use as a finishing oil on pizza

You can top almost anything on pizza, so why not include truffle oil? While this goes well over most pizza, you can try a wild mushroom pizza with mozzarella cheese and a light cream sauce, topped with arugula! Drizzle on the truffle oil right when the pizza comes out of the oven.

6. Over eggs

Eggs are the most simple dish you can prepare in the kitchen. Once you add truffle oil, however, this automatically elevates the dish tenfold. Simply top off a scramble or drizzle on top of over-easy eggs and add spinach.

7. Truffle hummus

Add flair to your homemade hummus by incorporating a bit of truffle oil. You can either mix it in with your food processor or simply mix it into plain store-bought hummus.

8. Over veggies

Are your veggies tasting a little bland? Simply add truffle oil to blanched, steamed, or grilled vegetables for an explosion of flavor. Don’t forget to season!

9. Over garlic bread or bruschetta

While plain bread is great on its own, it can be further elevated with a touch of truffle oil. Try drizzling this on delicious garlic bread or on any bruschetta.

10. Truffle Aioli

This list wouldn’t be complete without a good truffle aioli. This can either be used as a dip for fries or a spread on a juicy burger (especially with bacon and gorgonzola cheese).

11. Bonus! Toss fries in truffle oil

Fries tossed in truffle oil make a good gourmet snack. Elevate it even more by adding garlic and herbs.

Elevate Your Dishes with Truffle Oil From Foodsterr

While truffles may be expensive and rare to come by, this doesn’t mean that this should stop you from creating amazing and flavorful dishes. Fortunately for home chefs, truffle oil has become a popular and more accessible way to integrate truffle into your dishes. Get your hands on Foodsterr’s Truffle Hunter Black Truffle to start elevating your home-cooked meals today.