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08 December 2009

Double Truffle: Kicking off Chocolate Week and a giveaway

I love truffles. Both kinds: the dark, rich, chocolate kind and the earthy, aromatic, mushroom kind.


The first time I had mushroom truffles was in Italy. They were freshly grated over pasta dressed only with peppery green olive oil. Oh, my. That was a revelation. Even though they cost a lot, I buy them. It only takes a tiny bit to flavor a whole dish with their indescribable flavor.


Then there’s the chocolate kind--for me, always dark chocolate, rarely adulterated with other flavors. But it has to be a good chocolate-fruity, dark, complex. I admit it. I'm a chocolate snob. Hey, I live in Belgium!


Truffles in either form, then, are treasured at our house. When I heard that our favorite chocolatier was planning to make truffle-flavored truffles, I was cautiously thrilled. Thrilled, because two of my favorite flavors were going to be united in one place; cautious because sometimes my favorite things don’t like each other much (remember the orange-cardamom tarte tatin?)


Yesterday I got to try my first truffled truffle. Oh. Yess. First you taste the rich dark fruity chocolate, followed by the deeper, mysterious earth flavor of the truffle. Just enough of it--any more and it wouldn’t work. It’s a marriage made in heaven, I think.


No, that’s not right. They’re really awful. You wouldn’t like them. I’ll have to eat yours. Just because I like you.


If you don’t believe me, though, and would like to try them for yourself, leave a comment on this post between now and December 20. Overcome with seasonal spirit, I’m going to give away a box of truffled truffles. If there are more than 50 comments, I’ll give away two boxes. (NOTE: I will ship these wherever you live. Please don't let my living in Belgium stop you from entering the contest.)


During the next week or so, I’ll be visiting our chocolatier at his workshop and taking photos of how he makes his chocolates. So stay tuned for Chocolate lessons!






56 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

Your new camera?Great pic!

You have loads of exciting an fun things going on..Good for you:)
I live in Canada..I am taking myself off the prize list..but always post..so you would wonder where I was maybe if I didn't stay ..like I usually do:)

Mardi Michels said...

I also take myself off the prize list :( Thanks for this wonderful post and BEAUTIFUL PHOTO!!!!!

Kathy Walker said...

How nice of you to make such a sacrafice as to eat the truffle for me! I have never had a truffle the combination is intriguing.

Anonymous said...

Chocolate truffles; divine! Belgium chocolate; divine! I've never had a shroom type truffle, but I'll take your word for it. My Mom has; she thought they were pretty divine. Thank you for sampling one for me!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Kate!!!! I think it only fair to allow me Monique and Mardi's chance to be crowned "Queen Truffle", along with my own. That may sound very greedy...fine...I can live with that! We're talkin Truffles here!!! Sign me up for the chance to tip toe through the Truffles, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...MMMmmmm.

Zurin said...

Oh dear...awful?...no thank you then Kate.for the first time when I am eligible for a prize and I dont want it! LOL

Simones Kitchen said...

Oooo, I love dark chocolate too. Not sure about the truffle thing as I haven't really had a lot of experience with truffles so can't tell you that but your chocolate look amazing!

Unknown said...

Kate, just found your blog! And my two favorite flavors are mentioned! Dark chocolate and truffles.

The first time I had truffles was in London in 1973 -- in the restaurant at the top of the Post Office Tower. The restaurant rotated 360 degrees. I remember I had English strawberries and cream for dessert! Mmmmmm, good!

Hungry Dog said...

I would LOVE to try these. Pick me, pick me! :)

Lili said...

Mmm. Thanks for the post! These look amazing...even though I've never tried truffles (the mushroom kind) before!

Charlene said...

This may be my only opportunity to ever try these. Who am I kidding? No doubt it will be the only one. I'd love to!

VaQueenBee said...

These look wonderful! I love dark chocolate!

Maria said...

Wow those look good!

Two Peas and Their Pod moved to WordPress, please update your readers, etc. Our address is: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com Come visit us and check out our new look! Thanks for following us!

Unknown said...

How can I not leave a comment? LOL

I'd love to try these! Crossing my fingers.... :-)

Patty

Anna said...

What an intriguing combination! I also love both types of truffles but would NEVER think of putting them together! I wonder if I could convince a local chocolatier to try them...

TessLynn said...

I will have to admit that I am a newcomer to mushroom truffles. Because I despise mushrooms, I had a silly prejudice that truffles were only so highly renowned by the rich & famous because the rich & famous always need to uphold things that us in the lower masses could never even see in real life, let alone taste (sorry about my rant).

However, I started working at a specialty food store & we received Italian summer truffles. I finally had my chance to smell them...and was blown away just by that. Then my boss made a spring green salad with softly cooked egg & freshly shaved summer truffle...and I stole a bite. If I thought the smell was unbelievable, the taste was something else entirely!

I wish I could say I have had more truffle experiences, but I just can't afford it. Now you're telling me they combine such a delectable treat as chocolate truffles with the mysterious delight of mushroom truffles?? Well, someday I will just have to travel to Belgium and discover these treats myself!!...unless I can convince my bosses to have them sent to the store to sell...hmmm...

Phyllisia said...

I must admit I'm extremely jealous that you live in the Beligian Ardennes teaching English. Plus I'm jealous that you get chocolate lessons there! Anyways, you have a new follower. :)

Jill @ Jillicious Discoveries said...

Count me in!! I've never had a truffled truffle and I'm always game to try something new! Great pictures Kate! :)

Cooking CatZ said...

Mushroom truffles?! o.O how does it look like? how's the taste, especially on pasta?
I definitively love DARK chocolate! They are my favorite!
Great pictures ;)

Melina said...

I'm as much of a gourmet as my very limited college budget allows, and I've always wanted to try truffles but never had the opportunity. I hope the comment giveaway window isn't closed yet, because this is about the best introduction to the world of truffles I could imagine!

Julie R. said...

Oh! My boyfriend was just in Belgium over the summer, to visit. He raved about the chocolate, and I have been dying to try some ever since. Truffled truffles sound... amazing. Otherworldly.

Whether this is selected or not, happy holidays!

Lisa T. said...

Truffled Truffles - OMG - those sound too good to be true or totally amazing.

Unknown said...

I've never commented before but, oh! I'd love to try these. I'm going to be laid up around my birthday (in January, a few days after new years), and my sweetheart is taking vacation--we could save them till then, and then dig in.

ParisMaddy said...

Chocolate, truffles, Belgium, France...it's not possible to fit in all of my loves in one place but somehow you've done it. My mouth is watering and my heart is happy with just the thoughts of it all. Do you have a good hot chocolate maker? My daughter brought me a can once from France but we can't remember the name. It was full of lovely chunks and bits of chocolate pieces and made a divine cup of hot chocolate.

Unknown said...

My partner's two favorite things combined! He'd love to try it!

Jon said...

ooh! dark chocolate and truffles! although i haven't tasted real truffles (they're the kind of stuff you won't even dream to find here in this part of the world) but i'd die for chocolate truffles. i'd like to receive one from you. pick me and kill me now and my soul is yours. please!!!

NikiTheo said...

I've always wanted to try truffles, like from the Earth truffles!!!

Pam said...

Hi Kate, Beautiful photos! You are using your new camera well.
I adore truffles, but never thought of enrobing them in chocolate.
I have been taking a chocolate class and have fallen in love with the process of tempering. It's fascinating and requires skill. One I hope to acquire! I would love to visit your chocolatier. What a wonderful opportunity.
I think we will have to meet in Brussels so that I can buy that fab chocolate.
If you chose Hungry Dog and myself, you will save postage, I will deliver to San Francisco! How about it Hungry Dog, we can split the bounty!
I am so happy you are using large type. I can see it without glasses. I will be switching to that myself.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful life!

grace said...

why in the world didn't i become a chocolatier? it's the perfect job, and i'd gladly walk around with a few extra pounds for the opportunity to play with (and eat) chocolate for the rest of my life! very generous of you, kate. :)

pumpkinpie said...

truffle x truffle = my kind of math!

jbaat said...

I would love to try these; so interesting!

Deana Sidney said...

Yes, the photos are perfect with the new camera... kudos! As for the idea of combining 2 perfect tastes... priceless. Are they white or black truffles in the mix? Essence or shavings??? Inquiring minds....
I remember the first time I heard of wasabi truffles I went blek!!!! But they were strangely compelling and a good fit.
Throw my sombrero in to the ring for a chance at those babies!

Kate said...

Chocolate for breakfast? Sure!!

And a box of truffles!? Absolutely! Count me in!

~~louise~~ said...

Oh Kate, you have out done yourself here. I see you have already grown quite attached to that new camera of yours. Those "snow" covered morsels of sheer divineness look heavenly.

I am a truffle loving girl from way back. It's amazing how so little can create such essence. I'm not sure about truffled truffles though. I think I too will bow out for now. However, I am going to mention your give-away on my blog. I know one person for sure who will take the next flight to Belgium to merely take a gander of those wondrous earthy delights!

Thank you so much for sharing and for your most generous offer!

Barbara said...

What an extraordinary posting, Kate! I had to wipe off my keyboard midway through. Those look sooooo good and your description is perfect! Great photos, by the way.
(You better not include me on the prize list, I'm way too far away. But if I ever come over, you better be ready for a chocolate truffle feast!)

Amanda said...

sounds amazing! thanks!!

Janet said...

I am so thrilled that Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations led me to your site. How fun.

I'm a chocoholic, but I also love truffles.. the 'real' kind, and together? Well I can only imagine it's a heavenly 'marriage'.. dark chocolate with dark earthy truffles-sweet and savory. I definitely need to try these.

I'll also mention your blog on DyingforChocolate.com and link to this truffle post.

Love your photos. Fabulous!

Michelle said...

I love chocolate truffles but I've never had the mushroom type truffles. I would love to give this a try.

Love your blog. beautiful pictures.

Sofie said...

I love belgian chocolate. I keep my fingers crossed.

Anonymous said...

Romana

I'm looking for your stories. Fabulous!

orchidee33@web.de

Claudia said...

The idea of those truffled truffles made me come back and offer myself a chance to win the box of chocolates you offer. I love chocolate but actually I am not that an optimist to take part in anything. Shame on me!

But why not be an optimist sometimes? Why is is so difficult to walk by the hopeful path? It is Christmas time and it is when we can show we believe there is good and hope worth to live for...

(The difficulties a rational woman can endure are unbelievable...)


Cheers,

C.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

One Christmas I made a big batch of chocolate truffles for my husband's office. I used a recipe from Julia Child. Typical me, I read the ingredients, skimmed the instructions, and tackled the project. It was much more work than I had anticipated, especially the rolling out of the individual truffles. That experience gave me a deep appreciation of the person who hand-makes the truffles.

I can only imagine how fabulous chocolate truffle flavored truffles would be. Wow is the word that comes to mind. And no, (smile) you can't have mine. Hope you holidays are the best ever.
Sam

Anonymous said...

Kate, you truly are living the good life!

I love how the truffled truffles look like they came out of the earth - a very cool touch; your favorite chocolatier is an artist! Great photos, too - I take it you are getting the best out of your camera already...

I had truffle once in a savory dish and did enjoy it - obviously - but the idea of truffles and chocolate together is so obtuse yet so obvious. It has to be good! So ... I guiltily enter myself ... I have to! You are too good to do this offer, Kate. :)

Sarah said...

My God, those look amazing! I love truffles of both kinds...There's nothing like a creamy chocolate ganache surrounding your tongue and filling your mouth and heart with utter decadence and taking that first bite of pasta, adorned with greens, fresh parmesan, and a drizzle of truffle oil or freshly grated truffles and browned butter is pure heaven...
I wish there was a chocolatier here that would make those. YUM

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I am a certified chocoholic and your truffles look absolutely wonderful (as I wipe a bit of drool off of the corner of my mouth).

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Count me in on this one. What a wonderful giveaway.

Unknown said...

My stomach was rumbling as I read this entry!! I think it would be lovely to win so count me in (don't you think exposing young children to fine chocolate is a mom's duty?) but I would love to come and see your friend in action. I am longing for Bruge so let's see what happens.

Unknown said...

Sigh truffled truffles sounds absolutely heavenly I'm swooning over here!

Danielle said...

I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!! Haha your pictures have me drooling as usual.

Lisa X said...

I am so envious that you live in the land of chocolate!
I've recently (within the last 3 years, if that's recent...) became addicted to chocolate. It's not caffein for me (yet), but I do find myself panicking when I open up my chocolate jar and see that there is only one block left.
A day is not complete without a small dose of rich dark chocolate =)

eemster2009 said...

Oh, wow. That sounds intriguing: I wouldn't mind trying those :). I wish I lived near such endless supplies of terrific chocolates!

siu00001@gmail.com

KJonas said...

Making them yourself? Amazing!

Barbara said...

Kate: Also meant to say that I saw your photo on Food With Style. I really like that blog, don't you? It introduces us to other bloggers we might have missed!

april brooks said...

Wow! I just read your amazing behind the scenes tour post from the 14th! (I found you through Foodgawker) So fascinating! Thanks for all of the hard work that goes into your blog and thanks for the yummy giveaway!

annalene said...

I've never tried mushroom truffles before and that makes me a bit sad. I do love chocolate truffles however. Thanks so much for sharing with your readers, sounds like such an amazing treat!

SissySees said...

Dear Louise sent me over, and as I just met the first "earthy" truffle love of my life 5 days ago, this seems almost too good to be true. We have an incredible chocolatier here in town, so I'll have to see if he does a truffled truffle.