Truffles, or black truffle sea salt, is a salty mineral that has been a favorite of cooks for hundreds of years. A truffle is simply the underground fruiting body of a tree-like subterranean fungus, mostly one of the Ascomycetes family, primarily one of the species of the genus Tuber. Moreover, many other fungi are also classed as truffles, such as Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, Leucangium, and a hundred more others. The name "truffle" comes from the French word truffle, meaning "little mushroom". The exact function of these fungi is still not known, however, they are thought to contain a substance that attracts certain foods, including cheese, wine, honey, and nuts.
There are many variations of truffle salt available in the market today. These days, you can even buy them online in different flavors. Most of them are sold in large bags in different colors and packaging and are usually used for cooking purposes. They can be used for seasoning and mixing with different ingredients, such as cream, butter, eggs, fish, etc., in order to enrich the flavor of any dish.
In fact, truffle salt is quite expensive compared to other forms of salt. It's not that the product is very expensive. Rather, it's the unique flavor and aroma of truffles that sets it apart from other foods that even non-foodies can't quite identify. These are also quite popular and can be found on the shelves of fine department stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's, and Pier 1 Imports.
However, not everyone can afford these luxurious products. If you are one of them, there are alternatives that you can try out. Instead of truffle salt, why not go for smoked turkey or steak tartare? Both these dishes have a similarly impressive smoke-juice flavor but the only difference is their temperature range, the former is safe for ordinary household use while the latter can only be handled by those who are well trained in cooking. Either way, this is a great alternative if you want to enjoy a high heat flavored steak or grilled turkey, while still maintaining a healthy level.
Another alternative would be cooking with sea salt instead of truffle salt. Both have their own unique flavor and here, too, it's possible to get overwhelmed by all the available information available to cooks. A good rule of thumb when cooking with sea salt is to start with about two tablespoons for every four ounces of food you want to cook (for example, a medium-sized steak). You can then slowly add more until your sea salt stock has completely dissolved in the food. When cooking with sea salt, keep in mind that it is best to only use coarse sea salt to avoid the acidic taste.
If you're more into health benefits, then you can opt for frozen or dry brown rice. Sprinkle some black truffles over it for an authentic flavor. Brown rice has more fiber than its white counterpart which is perfect for your body as it absorbs more water and leaves you with more energy to focus on the other important components of your meal. This is also a healthier alternative for people who prefer to avoid carbohydrates, as this dish is rich in proteins. Even better, dried brown rice is great for those on low-carb diets since it provides enough energy to burn fat easily.
As a finishing touch, add some cheese and parsley for that authentic touch. Although truffle salt can be used as the main ingredient in savory meals, it can also be added as a finishing touch for grilled or pan-fried dishes. Sprinkle it over the top and enjoy your meal. You'll be surprised how it adds that last little bit of flavor to your meal.
There are literally hundreds of different recipes for truffle salt available in the market today. You can make use of your creativity and come up with your own unique combinations for truffle salt. The most popular combination is to make a savory bisque. Brie cheese, onion, lemon juice, rosemary, black truffle sea salt, and olive oil make a delicious and appetizing bisque. You can also make a simple soup with white truffle salt and whitefish. Other popular combinations include truffle soup with duck eggs, truffle with sunny-side-up chicken, truffle with ham, truffle with vegetable ratatouille, truffle with shrimp, truffle with mushroom, truffle with turkey, truffle with macaroni and cheese, etc.