By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Pasta and truffle are the coupling that culinary dreams are made of, with a silky tagliatelle topped with a generous shaving of truffle delivering on both taste and texture. However, there’s so much more to this luxe funghi than carbs and cream.
Whether you’re working with truffle oil, truffle salt or the underground mushroom itself, there are plenty of surprising ways to elevate everyday meals into luxurious moments. Here are six unexpected ways to cook with truffles - without a single strand of spaghetti in sight:
Truffle Popcorn:
Movie night just got a major glow-up! Toss freshly popped popcorn with a drizzle of truffle oil, a sprinkle of truffle salt and some finely grated Parmesan and you’ll never go back to plain butter again. It’s crunchy, umami-rich and dangerously addictive.
Truffle Scrambled Eggs:
For a lazy Sunday brunch that feels like a five-star hotel room service moment, whip up some soft scrambled eggs with a dab of butter, then finish with a drizzle of truffle oil or a few shavings of fresh truffle if you're feeling fancy. Add some sourdough and a cheeky glass of Champagne and you've got breakfast worth getting out of bed for.
Truffle Fries (with Bonus Aioli):
To finesse your hot chip game, slice up some russet potatoes (or go rogue with sweet potatoes), toss them in olive oil, roast until golden, then finish with truffle salt and parsley. Bonus points for whipping up a garlic truffle aioli for dipping. Sorry, tomato sauce!
Truffle Honey on Pizza:
Truffle honey on pizza is the flavour bomb you didn’t know you needed. Drizzle truffle-infused honey over a wood-fired pizza - ideally one with a creamy cheese like gorgonzola or ricotta, or even a white-base mushroom pizza. The contrast of salty, creamy and sweet with that earthy truffle hit will transform your Friday night takeaway into a full-blown affair.
Truffle Hamburgers:
Photo credit: Truffle Hill.
One of the most decadent upgrades to the humble hamburger comes courtesy of the truffle. Whether it’s a juicy Wagyu patty topped with truffle aioli, or a melted slice of truffle-infused cheese, this gourmet twist adds major luxe. Shake Shack has brought back its White Truffle Burger multiple times, complete with a creamy truffle sauce and crispy shallots and even McDonald’s France got in on the action with a seasonal Truffle Deluxe. Closer to home, Grill’d has offered limited-time truffle burger specials featuring truffle mayo and brie.
Truffle Ice Cream:
Photo credit: Forager Chef.
Weird? Maybe. Wonderful? Absolutely! Truffle ice cream is proof that sweet and savoury can truly be soul mates. Look for it in boutique gelaterias or try making your own vanilla base and infusing it with truffle honey or truffle salt. It’s decadent, delicious and just mysterious enough to impress your dinner guests.
