Desert Truffles (2010)

[leetbulb]

> Finely chop the onion and fry in Ghee on medium heat till soft. Add the [thinly sliced lean lamb] and fry till brown on all sides. Season well with salt and pepper.

Stop! Trying to fast over here!

[tm1265]

interesting, considering most species of truffle are mycorrhizal - they have a symbiotic relationship with plants, specifically trees.

Would be interested in seeing these genetically sequenced to flesh out their relationship with other species/genus of truffle.

[abbasaamer]

Thanks for this informative post. I currently live in the Middle East and was just about to pick these up last night - but I was under the wrong impression they were the same as European truffles.

[dvh]

Truffles are on my list of things to try before I die. Meanwhile can anyone approximate how they taste?

[humanrebar]

The description here seems about right, assuming you're talking about European truffles:

"...they do contain the earthiness and musky/meaty/gamy flavor of some popular above ground mushrooms. When describing truffles some would say they taste like they smell: oaky, nutty and earthy, sweet and juicy with stinging savory notes like black olives."

https://www.caviarstar.com/blog/what-do-truffles-taste-like/

[ggm]

To some people (including me) they taste rancid and nasty. Like cilantro/coriander. Not everyone likes the taste.

(I first had truffles in an omelette in France in the sixties, and I've tried to like them repeatedly since then. The omelette was served at a provincial french mayor's 25th anniversary, I can assure you I had a LOT and they were unquestionably good, given how everyone else fought over the black bits I left on my plate.)

[kyleblarson]

Lots of places have truffle fries these days. That would be a cost effective way to get a sense for the flavor.

[dfeojm-zlib]

Probably good accompanying: caramelized onions, roasted peppers/tomato/potato, couscous, hummus or tahini.

PS: I've been fasting for several days unrelated to any holidays.

[slim]

for Arabic geeks out there, these are called "Terfes" ترفاس over here in Tunisia