The inspiration behind Truffle Taramasalata
So where did the idea for Truffle Taramasalata come from?
"It was this time last year I was over in Europe, visiting my parents. On my way home I caught up with some cousins for the evening. They were already well aware of my love of taramasalata, and had managed to find some truffle infused Taramasalata in a local deli. It was sensational!
It was a great evening and I forgot all about the truffle inspired delight until earlier this year when I was trying to find some obscure ingredient in the back of the cupboard at home and came across a small bottle of Truffle Oil that we'd bought at the Tauranga Food Show last August.
The bottle of truffle oil finally made its way to the Elysian kitchen. We reserved the last batch of the Taramasalata production run and tipped in the oil. A dash at first, then the whole bottle, as we tried to work out just how much truffle oil you need to add to get the right flavour.
By this stage the whole Elysian team was standing round with those lollipop sticks that we use for taste testing our products.
Further taste testing ensued over lunch with a packet of Superseed Crackers. The conclusion was unanimous - the truffle oil enhanced the taramasalata, seeming to round off some of the more salty, tangy flavours and leave a warm, truffle taste in the mouth that lasted for ages afterwards.
And for me, it brought back happy memories of a great dinner with my cousins, on a warm Parisian evening."
Toby