Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tartufata Is A Delicious Addition To Your Meal

By Consuelo Dalton

The name tartufata may sound silly to some, but people from Italy and many fans of Italian food recognize it as the name of a delicious relish that can be the basis for many different dishes. Brown or white truffles (the fungi, not the candy) are the basic ingredient in this relish or sauce. It is gracing more tables today because of it's unique flavor.

To make this sauce, chopped truffles are placed in a saute pan with olive oil. Chopped onions and several diced cloves of garlic are added, and this mixture is simmered till tender. A splash of wine is added to the pan and the mixture is allowed to simmer until it is reduced down. It is then stored for future use and can be used for several types of meals.

It is a relish that you will use over and over again. Truffle oil, which can be purchased in gourmet cooking shops, can be added to the mixture and when reheated makes a wonderful sauce for veal, steak or pork. Bruschetta can be made with it, or try stirring into warm egg noodles with some grated cheese for a comforting meal.

This condiment is easily made at home, but it can also be bought pre-made. An internet search will show you the gourmet shops and suppliers that carry it, and you may even be able to find it jarred in your local Italian food store. It makes a wonderful gift for that person who just cannot get enough of that great mushroom flavor.

Truffles may not be a staple in every refrigerator. But they are becoming more available in gourmet shops and through internet ordering. They are sold both fresh and dried. If you purchase them dried, they can be easily reconstituted and there will be instructions for this on the package.

Every mushroom lover should give this a try if they haven't already. The wine and the garlic compliment the earthiness of the truffles in a way that is unforgettable. A quiet dinner with the one you love or a celebratory meal, this elegant but tasty ingredient will certainly make its mark on the day you serve it.

Tartufata used to be a treat that you could only enjoy if you went to Italy, but things have changed. Today we have the luxury of ordering gourmet ingredients anytime we want them. How fortunate for us that now we can include it in our menus on a regular basis.

Tartufata

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