Laura Smith
Truffle fries are a decadent dish that combines the casual appeal of French fries with the sophisticated flavour of truffles, a type of mushroom prized for its unique taste. While truffles can be expensive due to their rarity and the challenges associated with foraging and cultivating them, truffle oil offers a more affordable way to infuse dishes with their distinctive aroma and taste. When it comes to preparing truffle fries, recipes vary, with some calling for truffle oil, truffle salt, or even shaved truffles, along with cheese, herbs, and seasonings to create a flavourful and indulgent side dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are truffles? | Truffles are a type of mushroom that grows under certain conditions, making them rare and therefore expensive. |
| Truffle types | Truffles come in two colours: white and black. White truffles are native to Italy and can cost up to $1,600 per pound. Black truffles are indigenous to France and are cheaper, but have a less intense mushroom flavour. |
| Truffle oil | Truffle oil is a lower-cost alternative to using truffles, and it still delivers a lot of flavours. Black truffle oil is more flavourful, while white truffle oil is recommended for those who want a milder truffle taste. |
| Truffle fries ingredients | Truffle fries typically include French fries, truffle oil, grated cheese (Parmesan or pecorino Romano), salt, pepper, and sometimes herbs. |
| Truffle fries preparation | Truffle fries can be baked in the oven or fried. After cooking, the fries are tossed in a bowl with the truffle/garlic mixture, ensuring they are coated quickly so they don't get cold. |
| Truffle fries serving suggestions | Truffle fries can be served as a side dish with steak, chicken nuggets, or seafood. They can also be paired with a nice burger or a more elegant dish like seafood shish kabob. |
| Variations and substitutions | Instead of using truffle oil, some recipes suggest using truffle salt or shaved truffles. For the cheese, finely grated truffle cheese or nutritional yeast can be used instead of Parmesan. Frozen French fries can also be used as a time-saving alternative to homemade fries. |
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What You'll Learn
Truffle fries recipes
Truffle fries are a combination of casual (the fries) and classy (the truffles). While truffles can be expensive, you can still get the flavor without the price tag by using truffle oil. Truffle is a type of mushroom that only grows under certain conditions, making it quite rare.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Truffle oil
- Cheese (Parmesan, pecorino Romano, or truffle cheese)
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper
Optional Ingredients
- Garlic
- Miso paste
- Nutritional yeast
Method
- Cut your potatoes into fries.
- Rinse the potatoes to wash off as much starch as possible.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
- Pat the potatoes dry with a tea towel and microwave for 7 minutes, until they are cooked but not falling apart.
- Place the potatoes in a single layer on a lined baking tray and season with salt, oil, and pepper. Mix to ensure both sides are covered.
- Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
- When the fries are tender and browned, push them into a pile and toss with grated cheese, truffle oil, and salt or truffle salt. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- The fries are best eaten immediately when they are fresh and crispy.
Tips
- If you are using truffle oil, a little goes a long way. You only need a small drizzle.
- If you can only find black truffle oil and you find it too strong, you can add some extra virgin olive oil to tone down the flavor.
- If you are adding Parmesan cheese to your truffle fries, it is recommended to find a wedge of quality Parmesan. Freshly grated Parmesan is best.
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Truffle oil vs truffle sauce
Truffle oil and truffle sauce are two popular alternatives to using fresh truffles, which are prized for their unique, earthy flavour but are expensive and hard to source. Both truffle oil and truffle sauce are more accessible ways to incorporate the distinctive truffle taste into your cooking.
Truffle Oil
Truffle oil is a popular culinary ingredient that enhances dishes with the rich, earthy flavour of truffles. It is made by infusing olive oil with either black or white truffles. Black truffle oil has a muskier, nuttier flavour, while white truffle oil is more garlicky and intense. Truffle oil is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from steaks to pasta. It is also a great finishing oil for dishes like risotto or mashed potatoes. White truffle oil, in particular, pairs well with lighter foods like plain pasta, potatoes, or eggs. Black truffle oil, on the other hand, complements meats and other dishes with stronger flavours, such as rich tomato-based sauces. Truffle oil is also a good choice for those who want to save time and avoid the hassle of truffle hunting. It has a longer shelf life than fresh truffles, making it a convenient option for home cooks who want to experience the flavour of truffles without the high cost and rarity associated with the fresh ingredient.
Truffle Sauce
Truffle sauce is another alternative to using fresh truffles and can be used in a variety of dishes. Truffle-infused sauces, such as truffle mayo or truffle pasta sauce, incorporate the distinctive flavour of truffles into a dish without the need for raw truffles. Truffle hot sauce, for example, can be used to make decadent truffle recipes at home. Truffle sauces can also come in the form of truffle butter, which is another popular truffle product.
Both truffle oil and truffle sauce offer convenient and affordable ways to enjoy the unique flavour of truffles in your cooking. Truffle oil is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes, while truffle sauce provides a ready-made option that can be easily incorporated into your meals. Ultimately, the choice between truffle oil and truffle sauce depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of your dish.
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Truffle types and colours
Truffles are a type of mushroom that is highly prized in haute cuisines around the world. They are the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, belonging to the genus Tuber. Truffles are classified into several hundred types, but only a select few are edible and delicious. The most sought-after truffles are the black truffle or black Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum), native to the Périgord region in France, and the alba truffle, native to Italy. These truffles can be incredibly expensive, with the Italian variety costing up to $1,600 per pound. Other notable truffle varieties include:
- Oregon black truffle (Leucangium carthusianum)
- Oregon spring white truffle (Tuber gibbosum)
- Oregon winter white truffle (Tuber oregonense)
- Oregon brown truffle (Kalapuya brunnea)
- Pecan truffle (Tuber lyonii), found in the Southern United States
In addition to these, "desert truffles" are found in Africa and the Middle East, belonging to the genera Terfezia and Tirmania. Truffles are typically found underground, closely associated with tree roots, and are challenging to forage and cultivate. They exhibit a wide range of colours, including black and white, with the latter being more intense in mushroom flavour.
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Truffle fries as a side dish
Truffle fries are a perfect side dish for your next steak night or to elevate a simple chicken nugget dinner. They combine elements of casual (the fries) and classy (the truffles). While truffles are a type of mushroom, you don't need to like mushrooms to enjoy truffle fries. Truffle fries are usually made by tossing crispy French fries in a bowl with grated cheese, truffle oil, and salt or truffle salt. Some recipes also include chopped parsley, garlic, and pepper. You can use frozen fries or make your own by peeling and cutting potatoes into fries, then baking them.
Truffle oil is a lower-cost alternative to truffles that still delivers a lot of flavors. When choosing truffle oil, you can opt for white truffle oil, which is a good "starter" option, or black truffle oil, which is more flavorful. You can also use truffle salt or shave truffles on top of your fries. If you're making truffle fries at home, you can adjust the amount of truffle oil or sauce to your preference, as some people find the truffle flavor overpowering when used in large quantities.
If you're looking for a vegan option, you can substitute the cheese with vegan cheese, nutritional yeast, or a little miso paste. Truffle fries can be served immediately or kept warm in the oven on a cookie sheet tray lined with parchment paper. They are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheat them in the oven or by refrying.
Truffle fries make an excellent side dish for a range of meals, from a nice burger to a more elegant seafood shish kabob. They can add a touch of sophistication to casual meals and are sure to impress at dinner parties.
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Truffle fries with cheese
Truffle fries are a delicious combination of the casual French fry with the classy truffle. They can be served with a nice burger or a more elegant seafood shish kabob. While truffles are a type of mushroom, you don't need to like mushrooms to enjoy the flavour of truffles. Truffle fries are often made with truffle oil, which is a lower-cost alternative to truffles, but still delivers a lot of flavour.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Truffle oil (white or black)
- Cheese (Parmesan, pecorino Romano, or truffle cheese)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parsley (optional)
Method
First, cut your potatoes into fries. If you want to remove the starch, you can place the cut potatoes in a bowl of water and agitate them. Then, drain the potatoes and pat them dry. Next, add the fries to hot oil in a pan or deep fryer at 300°F for 3 minutes. Shake the fryer after 90 seconds. Remove the fries and set them aside until you are ready to serve them. Turn the heat up until the oil reaches 350°F. When it's time to serve, add the fries to the fryer a few handfuls at a time and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the edges are browned. Drain the fries and season them with truffle oil, cheese, salt, and pepper. You can also add some parsley for extra flavour. Serve hot.
Tips
- If you are using black truffle oil and find it too strong, you can add some extra virgin olive oil to tone down the flavour.
- If you can't find freeze-dried garlic, you can use garlic powder or minced garlic cloves instead.
- If you don't want to make fries from scratch, you can use frozen French fries and season them with truffle oil, cheese, salt, and pepper.
- If you are vegan, simply substitute the cheese with a vegan alternative, nutritional yeast, or miso paste.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, truffles are a type of mushroom that grows underground in certain parts of the world. Truffle fries are made with truffle oil, which is a more affordable alternative to using fresh truffles.
Truffles are a type of mushroom that grows underground. They are highly prized as food and can be very expensive due to the challenge of foraging and cultivating them. They come in two colours: white and black. White truffles are native to Italy and black truffles are indigenous to France.
Truffles have a unique flavour that is difficult to describe. Some people find the taste of truffle sauce or truffle oil to be overpowering, while others enjoy it. It is often described as having an intense mushroom flavour, especially the white truffles.
To make truffle fries, start by cutting potatoes into fries. Preheat your oven and bake the fries until they are crispy. In a separate bowl, prepare a mixture of truffle oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and grated cheese. Once the fries are cooked, quickly toss them in the bowl to coat them evenly in the truffle mixture. Serve immediately.
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