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Diner’s cocaine. An extreme yet totally apt description for the ingredient that even the most established chefs are willing to beg, borrow or steal for. The culinary world’s obsession with truffles is well-known and documented, yet it’s taken its own sweet time to catch on in India. Now that it has, however, you can bet the addiction is catching on like wildfire amongst higher-end patrons just like it has everywhere else.
Amongst the world’s most expensive ingredients, truffles are now on a great many menus across the country and the truth is, they really are almost painfully delicious. For the uninitiated, Truffles are an edible fungus found growing at the base of certain trees. We use the word ‘found’ intentionally, as Truffles cannot be cultivated - they only grow in the wild - which is one of the many reasons it’s as expensive as it is. Naturally, we took it upon ourselves to scour the length and breadth of Mumbai’s menus to find the best dishes using this fine ingredient. Pick a day of the week when your account balance is still afloat, and gift your palette the gourmet treat it deserves. You’re very unlikely to regret it.
I. Truffle Edamame Dumplings at Yauatcha
Served in a traditional bamboo steamer, the Truffle and Edamame dumplings are like mini explosions of flavours in your mouth. The earthy taste of the truffle sings with the texture of the edamame - the perfect afternoon dish.
Cost: INR 625
II. Lobster With Truffles @ Wasabi
Now, we all know that lobsters call for celebrations, so make sure it’s that kind of night before you want what you can’t have. The dish is essentially a culinary gift from food heaven - a dish of soulmates. The lobster is first baked with Truffle Sabayon (a mixture of cheese and truffle butter) that melts right over it. It is then topped with Japanese panko and slices of truffle - taking the whole dish up a few notches.
Cost: INR 4150 (Remember what we said about celebrations?)
III. Truffle Scrambled Eggs @ Cafe Zoe
And here’s presenting another win for the breakfast people. It’s a whole scrambled egg mixed with Black truffle salsa and truffle oil, and it lays beautifully on a bed of melba toast waiting just for you. You’re welcome.
Cost: INR 350
IV. Potato Skin Mac And Cheese With Truffle Oil @ One Street Over
This dish makes it to our list of best appetizers in the city hands down. If you’re having the kind of day that requires the ultimate combination of cheese and potatoes, this dish here is your friend. Treat yourself to crispy potatoes with the the skin on, stuffed with macaroni, mozzarella and cheddar, and baked to perfection. It’s then doused with white truffle oil, and served with chives and sour cream. Excuse us while we drool.
Cost: INR 500
V. The Wild Mushroom Chai @ Masala Library - BKC
The wild mushroom chai is brewed in a kettle, where hot water gets replaced with a hot consommé of mushrooms. The truffle oil crumbs substitute the otherwise used milk powder and the dehydrated mushrooms, replacing tea leaves, add to the wonderful, inimitable aroma of this chai. We can’t get over this one!
Cost: INR 495
VI. Asparagus and Truffle Leeks At The Clearing House
Perfect for a sunny afternoon, this dish will send you on a path leading towards southern comfort. Chopped asparagus with rich leeks tossed in truffle oil are the stars of the show. The truffle oil lends a beautiful aroma and taste, which comes through the vegetables perfectly. It all lays upon a base of rice buttermilk biscuits - we’re sold!
Cost: INR 490
VII. Eggs Divinity @ Indigo Deli
For all those who believe in the power of breakfast, and the good it does for one’s soul - you know nothing until you’ve eaten the Eggs Divinity at Indigo Deli. This is the sort of dish brunch was invented for, if you know what we mean. The dish is essentially scrambled eggs layered with creamed spinach and potato rosti with a mornay sauce (bechamel with Gruyere added) - topped off with delicate shaved truffles.
Cost: INR 725
VIII. Dark Chocolate And Italian Truffle Oil Ice Cream @ Bono Boutique Ice Cream
This ice cream takes indulgence and turns it into a thing of beauty. The truffle oil lends the rich dark chocolate ice cream a much needed umami flavour, and we recommend you ring that doorbell and get some for yourself at once!
Cost: INR 220 & INR 900
IX. Truffle Mac and Cheese (The OG) @ Bastian
It’s no wonder Kel’s back on our food lists - it’s almost impossible to write one these days with him not on it. We asked him for his take on truffles and it’s treatment at Bastian and One Street Over, and he tells us that “We try to use them in a lot of ways because Truffles are personal, like wine. Some people like it with proteins, some with rich carbs, some with fish and some with cheese. It all depends on the way you like them, even if you just wanted to add it onto something random. If someone wants me to shave truffles in their mouth, I would be happy to do it.” Keeping in mind the seasonality of truffles, Chef Kel’s truffle mainstay is the unadulterated mac and cheese. Why? Because there’s no such thing as too much Mac and Cheese.
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