Truffle dishes

Italian truffle dishes: from truffle cream to truffle sauce

The distinctive flavour of truffles need not be confined to the fresh truffle season. With Italian truffle preparations, you can enjoy dishes with a refined truffle aroma all year round.

At Kelvini Italian Artisan, you’ll discover jarred truffle specialities, truffle creams and truffle sauces from Italian producers. Each product has its own composition, flavour and use. But which truffle product should you choose for your dish?

What is the difference between truffle cream, truffle sauce and jarred truffle specialities?

Truffle specialities in jars

This category includes special preserved truffle products, such as truffle pieces, slices and other preparations in which the truffle plays a central role.

They are suitable for use in pasta, risotto, egg dishes and antipasti. The exact use depends on the ingredients and the form in which the truffle has been incorporated.

Truffle creams

Truffle creams usually have a creamy texture and are easy to incorporate into both hot and cold dishes.

Some Italian truffle creams combine truffle with ingredients such as porcini mushrooms (funghi porcini), artichokes (carciofi) or asparagus (asparagi). This creates a versatile flavouring for pasta, risotto, crostini and other Italian dishes.

Truffle sauces

Truffle sauces are ready-made preparations that you can use as a base for a pasta sauce, with meat dishes or to add flavour to a hot dish.

Italian salsa tartufata is also often included in this group. The ingredients vary depending on the manufacturer: some sauces contain mushrooms, olive oil, truffles and herbs.

Which truffle preparation goes best with your dish?

Truffle pasta

A truffle cream or truffle sauce is an excellent choice for tagliatelle, tagliolini, pappardelle or other Italian pasta.

Mix a small amount with warm pasta and add a little of the pasta cooking water if necessary. This creates a lovely, creamy sauce without overpowering the truffle flavour.

Risotto with truffle

A creamy risotto made with Carnaroli or Arborio rice makes a good base for truffle cream. Add it towards the end of cooking and taste before adding any extra salt or cheese.

Crostini and bruschetta

Spread a little truffle cream on lightly toasted Italian bread. A truffle speciality containing visible pieces or slices of truffle can also make for an attractive finishing touch.

Meat and potato dishes

A truffle sauce goes well with various meat dishes, whilst truffle cream can also be delicious mixed into mashed potatoes or served with roast potatoes.

Eggs and antipasti

Scrambled eggs, omelettes and simple antipasti are excellent dishes for bringing out the flavour of truffles. Start with a small amount and build up the flavour to your liking.

How can you tell if an Italian truffle dish is well prepared?

The name on a jar does not always indicate how much truffle the product contains. That is why it is a good idea to check the list of ingredients.

Please note in particular:

• Truffle species: for example, Tuber aestivum, Tuber melanosporum or another botanical species.

• Truffle content: the amount of truffle can vary considerably.

• Other ingredients: such as mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, olive oil or butter.

• Added flavourings: some products contain flavourings to enhance the truffle flavour.

• Application: a rich cream, a complex sauce and truffle pieces do not always require the same method of preparation.

A high truffle content is not the only indicator of quality. The type of truffle used, the other ingredients and the balance of flavours also play a part.

Which types of Italian truffles are used?

The summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) is frequently used in preserved truffle products. It generally has a more subtle aroma than some other types of truffle and is suitable for a wide range of dishes.

Other products may contain black winter truffles or different varieties of truffle. The botanical name on the label clarifies which variety has actually been used.

When choosing a truffle product, it is therefore advisable to look not only at the product name but also at the ingredients.

How do you store truffle creams and truffle sauces?

Store unopened truffle products in accordance with the instructions on the packaging, usually in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Once opened, many products must be kept refrigerated and used within a limited period. The exact shelf life varies from product to product.

Always use clean cutlery to remove the contents from the jar and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.

The Secret of Nonna Kelvini

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a simple Italian truffle pasta dish. Cook some good-quality tagliatelle until al dente and, in the meantime, heat a little butter with a small amount of truffle cream. Toss the pasta in the mixture and add a splash of the pasta cooking water to create a silky-smooth sauce.

If you like, finish with some freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. The trick is to let the truffle take centre stage.

Frequently asked questions about Italian truffle dishes

What is the difference between truffle cream and truffle sauce?

Truffle cream usually has a soft, spreadable texture. Truffle sauce is a broader term for sauces containing truffles. The exact differences depend on the manufacturer and the ingredients.

What is truffle sauce?

Truffle sauce is an Italian condiment made with truffles, often combined with mushrooms, oil and other ingredients. It is frequently used to dress pasta, crostini, meat dishes and starters.

Can I use the truffle cream straight from the jar?

It depends on the product. Many truffle creams are ready to use straight away or can be heated briefly. Always check the instructions on the packaging.

What’s the best way to serve truffles with pasta?

When preparing a creamy first course, truffle creams and truffle sauces are a practical choice. If you’d like to add visible pieces of truffle as a finishing touch, a jarred speciality might be more suitable.

Does every truffle cream contain real truffles?

You cannot tell this simply from the product’s name. Check the list of ingredients to see which variety of truffle has been used and the percentage.

Are truffle products available all year round?

Many preserved truffle products are available all year round, subject to stock. Fresh truffles, on the other hand, are a seasonal product.

How much truffle cream should I use per person?

The amount depends on the concentration, the composition and the desired flavour. Start with a small amount, taste it and, if necessary, add a bit more.

Order Italian truffle products online at Kelvini

Whether you want to make a special truffle pasta, add a touch of class to a risotto or prepare crostini for an Italian aperitif: with the right truffle preparation, you can give a simple dish that extra something.

Discover our jarred truffle specialities, truffle creams and truffle sauces, and choose the flavour that suits your dish.