Article: The Main Ingredient: Truffles are no trifle; Can't afford a live truffle?; (And who can?) Truffle oil can pinch hit

robbyers@wvgazette.com

tara@wvgazette.com

"WE do not use 'truffle oil' at La Toque," sniffs one high-end eatery's Web site, "unless we infuse it ourselves with true fresh truffle. Cooking with commercial truffle oil is simply a crutch, a way to save money and stretch 'flavor.'"

Heaven forbid. Who would want to be caught dead trying to save money or serve food with actual "flavor"?

When you're talking about truffles - the rare mushroom-type delicacy, not the chocolate bonbon - you're not talking about scrimping a few pennies. Fine white truffles grow wild only in a certain tiny area of Italy; they can be found only by truffle- sniffing pigs and dogs; and they cost about $2,000 a pound. You ...

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