The other night in New York City I had the enormous pleasure of breaking bread with the mythical Mario Batali, one of the world’s top Italian Chefs and most colorful TV Food Personalities. We had a glorious dinner at the fabled Babbo, a true culinary experience that should be had by all! I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t he a ‘meat guy?’ Well, yes, but Mario knows how to take care of his veggie dreamgirls. There were no stereotypical ‘grilled vegetable plates’ on the menu here. Mario shows off his vegetarian creativity with dishes like Roasted Beet Tartare with Chianti Vinegar and Marina di Chioggia Squash with Pomegranates and Shiso to make your senses dance!
But it was the truffles that blew me away on this night. No, not those dreamy chocolate morsels… the other truffle – the fungus. Being smack dab in the middle of Italy’s white truffle season, of course Mario would be featuring a White Truffle Tasting Menu and to my elation, ordering for our table. I have to say, it was one of the highlights of all my culinary adventures! Mario perfectly pairs the delicate flavors of the truffle with vegetables and meat alike, further benefiting the essence of the meal with exquisitely paired wines.
Now, you may be saying, "truffle smuffle… who can afford ugly mushrooms that cost as much as manolos?" Yes, the prices can reach astronomical heights, but you do have options. There are a lot of rumors and mysteries surrounding these odd-looking fungi so let's get some facts clear. Truffles are in the mushroom family. Truffles are found throughout Italy and special "hunting" pigs and dogs are used to find them underground. And they can also lead to serious Soprano-esque business… There is an entire black market devoted to peddling the fancy fungi. Meanwhile, the record price paid for a truffle was in 2010 by Macau casino owner Stanley Ho. He paid $330,000 for a truffle weighing nearly one kilogram. (p.s. that's just over 2lbs.!)
But have no fear, mortgaging your house is not the only way to enjoy truffles. Nowadays you can find truffles and truffle essence in a lot of wonderful, locally sourced products. They can be a little pricey, but remember a little goes a very long way. Try looking for truffle butter, truffle cheese, truffle salt, and truffle oil. If you are interested in buying truffles here is a site with options.
So is all the hype worth it? Oh yeah. Truffles, aside from offering their unique taste — very earthy and umami if you like — they deliver a luxurious experience. See for yourself with my recipe for Truffle Mac 'n Cheese and let me know what you think! And as for Mario, it was a treat to be trufflin’ – unclogged – with the Master of Truffles himself.
Be sure to catch Mario weekdays on ABC's The Chew.
You are amazing! White truffles are my favorite
I’ve never had one, but they are so ugly. How cool that you got to meet mario batali!
I love truffles! But I bet they taste even better with Mario Batali.
What a great post Les! And what an amazing treat to have white truffles with Mario Batali and for him to have them with you.
I made your Truffle Mac n’Cheese Leslie and I can definitely say it was absolutely delicious!!! I definitely recommend it.
My favourite way to incorporate white and black truffles is using truffle butter, which I buy at Whole Foods and it really does go a long way as you mentioned. Just a spoonful of it with pasta and a bit of parmesan cheese and the simplest of dishes becomes the most delectably luxurious! Truffle butter is also amazing with mashed potatoes!
This is a fabulous post, Leslie!! I LOVED hearing all about this mythical culinary experience!! So glad you’re having a lovely time in New York
Hmmmm… A mushroom or a pair of manolos? I will take the shoes please!
BOOM! BAM! ….oh, wrong chefs…lol. Rock it, Veggie Dreamgirl…and invite ME next time!
We gotta agree with Elena (and Maureen Dowd) on the Manolos
“Not since Cinderella’s stepsisters mutilated their feet hv women leveled such fierce desire at footwear” http://bit.ly/uPP0gC
But we digress.
Spectac, one-in-a-lifetime NYC experience Leslie – thanks for sharing. XOX
Yumm! The mushroom guy at the Hollywood Farmers Market gets local truffles. Really good! I’ve bought a bag at the end of the season for $10. Then made truffle butter (obviously not vegan, but veggie exquisite if you get raw butter.) Helps to keep the truffles going for a month past their time.
Truffle oil is not made from truffles though. Still really good on fresh popped organic popcorn with parm cheese.
AWESOME!!!!!! Love, love, love it!
Hey! Just found your blog via Lynn’s. I love your writing! Nice to see a fellow LA blogger.
Truffles are amazing…but the most ridiculous thing I ever tasted was previously-frozen crappy French fries being drizzled in it. It’s like dressing up a Big Mac with Humboldt Fog.
Hey Leslie! Sounds like you had a great time at Babbo. My husband and I went to Babbo for his birthday trip to NYC last year. We loved it. He was in NYC again last month and highly recommends Frankies Spuntino.
Thanks for the recommendation Kristan