297776 Mon Jul 12 16:59:18 -0700 2004 4 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1644439 Purchased 4 grape-sized black truffles in oil while in Umbria recently. Anyone have a killer recipe that will guarantee that I don't waste these beauties? I had a simple but sublime dish of tagliatelle with shaved truffles while there. Do you know how to make this traditional Umbrian dish? Thanks in advance, Lori Mon Jul 12 16:59:18 -0700 2004 0 lorarose 1 1644470 I'm sure others can offer recipes. I'd just like to offer some info. There are two types of truffles, black and white. White truffles are eaten thinly sliced and added to an already cooked food (usually cream or cheese based) at the table. This is, I believe, what you had in Umbria. Black truffles are (almost) always used in cooking the dish. They perfume and flavor. More hearty than delicate. For example, a thin slice between the breast meat and skin of chicken before it is cooked. Or in a liver pate. A frequent use is small bits in scrambled eggs (cooked with the eggs). Not inherently limited to cream/cheese dishes). Each has its fans, but as you can see, it is important to use appropriately. Tue Jul 13 01:47:51 -0700 2004 1644439 0 SteveT 2 1644483 The first thing you'll want to do is put them in a jar with good Cognac to cover. It will keep them fresh and give you killer cognac for cooking. Tue Jul 13 10:17:49 -0700 2004 1644470 0 Tomh 3 1644565 Thanks to both of you for the valuable--and new--info. These are black truffles, already preserved in a good olive oil. Shall I simply shave them over a quality homemade noodle with a little oil and, perhaps, some mashed anchovies? Lori Tue Jul 13 19:37:31 -0700 2004 1644483 0 lorarose 4 1644596 No, reread my previous post, if it was clear. Black truffles need to be cooked with the food. The two ideas I gave were added to scrambled eggs, before scrambling and cooking, or under skin of chicken, again, before cooking. (Guess I mentioned pate also, but you probably aren't going to do that). If you wanted it with pasta, I'd try an alfredo sauce, but again, in at the beginning of the sauce, not shaved on top at the end. (Shaved on top at the end is for white truffles). Wed Jul 14 01:35:04 -0700 2004 1644565 0 SteveT