Foodquest: December 2004 Foodies: Slowdog, Allumette, Conchitas Photography: Slowdog Narration: Slowdog

In December of 2004, the Foodies journey to the land of truffles and foie gras in anticipation of culinary adventures.  We follow our stomachs through the azur coasts of Monaco through the wine country of the Rhone valley and finally end our travels in the glorious city of Paris, the epicenter of culinary delights. 

Is that cornflakes on top of the eggs?  During our stay in Monaco, I am presented with my first ever opportunity to sample truffles.  Truffles have been one of the elusive items that has intrigued me ever since initially hearing about them.  The waiter mentions the specials of the evening and at the end mentions something about fresh truffles atop farm fresh eggs.  Fresh truffles?  Count me in.

The first impression is actually not much of one.  I can not at first taste anything  from the flakes of white truffle.  Soon, however, I notice a garlic-like essence permeating throughout the entree.  The intensity of flavors from the eggs seem to be magnified and overall accentuated by the truffle.

Aah.  The market in Dijon.  Dijon is the hallmark of food on this voyage.  At a small restaurant close to the market named the Smoking Piano, Allumette, Conchitas and I were treated to immaculately prepared Jambonette which is actually slow roasted turkey leg carved in such a way that appears for all intents and purposes to be a miniature ham.  Not knowing what to expect when ordering the entree, the name is indeed apt.  Truffle croquettes balanced atop a mushroom cream bisque delightly balances the richness of the cream with the flavors of the truffle.  The Potiron is accented with the mustard seeds of the region and is a delightful bright yellow, yet the mustard flavor is perfected blended such that the soup stands on its own rather than having any particular mustard accent.  The dessert of pear tart blends excellently with the  Anise ice cream and concludes a splendid lunch.  Lunch?  Indeed, the feat of culinary delights is merely another lunch rush at the Smoking Piano.

The sight that first greets you at the famous Maison du Truffle in Paris is an assortment of truffles of astonishing size and variety.  Gathered in baskets lie enormous black and white truffles gathered from the truffle regions scattered throughout France and Italy. Along with the truffles are an assortment of fresh poultry and pates that make for a visual culinary feast.  While I've known that truffles are extremely expensive, the actual price tag for a kilogram of truffles still causes major sticker shock.  Black truffles are 2500 Euros per kilogram whereas white truffles only cost 1000 Euros per kilogram.  At the current exchange rate, that would be 3125 US Dollars and 1250 US Dollars respectively.  Makes me long for the days of 75 cents to one Euro, but alas, those days are long gone.

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