A black truffle comes from a mushroom that is round in shape, its gills extended, with a dark green lining. It is a very popular spice in culinary circles, but also an aphrodisiac. It's an excellent source of Vitamin C and is well known for its antioxidant properties. Here's why.
When I was growing up, I would occasionally find genuine truffles, those little gems under your tree that have a slight odor like baking spices. But I wasn't sure what the real thing tasted like until one day, while on vacation in France, I ate some yummy chocolate with French vanilla ice cream and my nose didn't immediately tell me that it was truffles, it was the rich chocolate flavor that was unmistakable. So I set out to do a little research to learn more about this little treat. Here's what I found.
Real black truffles are produced only from the seeds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. It is actually an invasive species that needs to be imported from France. But its hardy roots make it easy to grow in most parts of the world, even in the driest places. The leaves of this tree produce a resin that is used to produce black truffles, which is then ground and mixed with white wine or other spirits for use as a food additive. Because of the powerful aroma that the seeds are known to produce, the name black truffle sea salt came into existence.
Now you know why black truffle salt has been a popular ingredient in many sea dishes. But now you want to know about this little treat's other attributes, including its health benefits. Read on.
This salty treat is a great additive to any seafood dish because of its iodine content. Iodine deficiency is a very common problem among people who live near the ocean. While there is no real need for this supplement, you might consider giving your body a daily dose to help prevent a chronic iodine deficiency. To me, adding black summer truffles to my diet just makes sense.
Truffle salt can also be added to plain boiled water or to any type of salad. You may find it goes best with either scrambled eggs or sunny side up eggs. One of my favorite combinations is black truffle salt and freshly cut peaches. When I am preparing this dish, I prefer to pour about two tablespoons of olive oil into a bowl and then add one tablespoon of truffle salt to the oil. I then add some chopped peaches and let the mixture sit while I scramble eggs.
Another way to enjoy this salty treat is to toss it into a warm panna cotta shell. I place about two tablespoons of this good stuff in the bottom and then scoop some additional black truffle over the top. Stir to combine, add some spinach, and then bake at 350 until the outside is fully done. Serve with some freshly cut black olives for a nice change of pace. If this seems like too much food, you can always throw in some spinach for an extra punch of flavor.
Black truffles are so tasty that you will probably want to eat them all the time. They are best eaten cold, but you can always toss a couple into a tortilla for a quick and delicious meal. If you do not feel like eating it straight out of the shell, you can always sprinkle it over some warm bread. And for those of you who are not into the deep-fried variety, there is always the vegetable tray that you can place the salt in and turn it into a crust. This is a great way to incorporate salt into your diet without having to change things up too much.
