Truffle Oil Nutrition Facts
What is truffle oil?
Truffles the fungus, not to be confused with truffles the confectionery, are a pungent, earthy delicacy specially harvested from forests in Europe and the states of Oregon and Washington. Famous for the use of special truffle hunting pigs to root out these foods, fresh truffles have an especially strong aroma and flavor, forcing cooks to hold back and use just a few shavings of the mushrooms in their cooking. This potency of both the white and black truffles make oil a good medium for extending their culinary qualities and allowing the cook to experiment more freely with a flavor they may not be familiar with. Beware when buying truffle oil, since some companies sell an inexpensive brand that doesn’t measure up when it comes to quality. Look for brands that use a cold-infusion process for the best quality and store in a cool, dry location of the kitchen.
Truffle Oil Nutrition Facts
Truffle oil contains approximately 120 calories for each tablespoon and 14 grams of fat, with no amount of saturated or trans fats. It also contains no cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, protein or fiber. Truffle oil is essentially a condiment that, while offering no significant nutritional value, also doesn’t add extensive calories or fats to the meal. Additionally, the strong flavor of truffle oil is such that one tablespoon of this product will likely be more than enough to satisfy.
Uses For Truffle Oil
Truffle oil works best when paired with foods that could use a boost out of the bland department. Foods such as pasta, eggs, potatoes, cream sauces, gravies and dressings are a great background for a few drops of either white or black truffle oil. Some cooks love to surprise guests by adding truffle oil to deviled egg recipes or drizzling a little oil onto the top of cream soups just before serving. Mix truffle oil into scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and risotto dishes or make an elegant macaroni and cheese. Toss a green salad with a small amount of the oil and small amount of white or apple cider vinegar. You can also lightly introduce truffle oil on top of steaks or blend into gravy for a chicken dish. Truffle oil won’t work well with the more flavorful meats such as pork and lamb, since these two tastes may cancel each other out or confuse the palate.
Due to the powerful taste of truffle oil, it does need to be used sparingly. Start with just a few drops in the dish of your choice and let the flavors blend for a few minutes before adding more. When using this seasoning, remember that less is always more and that it is much easier to add than it is to take away.
References
The Truffle FAQ:
https://baygourmet.tripod.com/truffles.html
Buddy Slim: Calories in truffle Oil
