Truffle oil is olive oil that has been infused with the flavor truffles. The flavor can come from the black truffle or from the white truffle. Both types of truffles have an earthy, mushroom like flavor and it should only be used lightly. Some people describe the taste of the white truffle oil as being a little more peppery but they are very similar in tast. Truffle oil is only made using very good quality extra virgin olive oil. Since it is entirely oil and only has the flavor of truffles the quailty of the oil is important.

Truffle oil can be used anywhere that you would normally use olive oil. The only thing to be careful about is these two things:

1. Use only small amounts of truffle oil.
2. Heat truffle oil only briefly or add it at the end of the cooking.

Use just a few drops of truffle oil on top of mashed potatoes or with a good crusty french bread. You can sprinkle drops on top of pizza slices after they have been cooked. Or make some pasta and toss in in a couple of tablespoons of truffle oil with some sauted mushrooms. A favorite treat is to saute scallops just a couple of minutes on each side in butter until they are golden on both sides. In a different pan fry some bacon and then wrap the scallops in the bacon and put a few drops of truffle oil on the scallops. Really just a few drops is all you'll need.

For a touch of color add some flying fish row on top.