March 07, 2005
Black Beauties, wafting truffles from Occitania
It wasn't a conventional Valentine's Day gift, but I do think it should become one. I am lucky enough to have dear friends that live in a part of the world where these elephant-skinned nuggets grow underground. Fortune would have it that 2 days before their arrival up here in the Polar Circle a local Occitanian Truffle Fête was in full-swing. and JT and Kristi were wise to bring a bag filled with the little nodules.
They present me with the bag, grinning from ear to ear. I put my face inside, and inhale deeply.
I am confronted with the most glorious, heady aroma, a combination of rich, loamy earth, wafting diesel fuel, fresh ground peanut butter, and fart. Now in just the right combination, that's a good thing.
Here's what I prepared for the 3 of us the very next day:
- Knolsla (celeriac cole sla) with truffled mayonnaise and beet ravioli
- Truffled Chicken in salt crust with 'basically raw broccoli' and truffle butter
- Pots de Crumbly Crumble (truffle-free)
Never have I received such a wonderful Valentine's Day gift; I was given an object but got an evening-filling experience. Thank you JT and Kristi!
Last summer (2004) I had the fortunate occasion to meet one of the creatures responsible for unearthing these lovelies. She is a dog named Tina, and like the majority of women in Occitania, her name is a derivative of Christine.
Posted by debra at 09:42 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack