Pommes Sarladaise, Sarladais-style potatoes cooked in duck or goose fat with black truffles is one of the most satisfying dishes I have ever had.  This style of cooking potatoes in goose or duck fat is done all over the Perigord region in France and can be found on almost every menu in the town of Sarlat.  Sarlat is a medieval town, known for it’s wonderful market.  The Sarlat market is the place to go to get fresh truffles or foie gras, or any other form of charcuterie.  It’s an amazing display  of  French luxury foods that every connoisseur should experience at least once!

The Market in Sarlat, The Perigord, France

Pommes Sarladaises with Perigord Black Truffles: 
2 lbs. Russet Potatoes
1 large Minced Garlic Clove
5 to 6 Tablespoons Goose or Duck Fat
2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley
Salt and Pepper
1.5 oz. Fresh Black Perigord Truffles cut into matchsticks

Peel and blanch the whole potatoes for about 2 to 3 minutes maximum. Remove and pat dry. If the potatoes are small, cut them in 3/8 inch slices, if they are larger, cut them into 3/4 inch pieces. In a large pan, over high heat, add two tablespoons fat (we used goose fat, but duck is great too). Carefully add the potatoes to the very hot melted fat. Reduce the heat, and stir often (gently) until the potatoes start looking slightly golden or when the fat is gone. Add some salt and two more tablespoons fat and cook until golden light brown. Add the garlic, the chopped parsley and one (or two) tablespoon(s) fat. Stir for a minute, add the truffles, then stir for another minute or so, and add salt and pepper if needed. Voila! Serve with the Truffle Omelette, or with Duck Confit.

I was wondering what to do with my beautiful sage green princess pumpkin after both Halloween and Thanksgiving had passed, when I remembered a recipe I saw for Pumpkin Bisque with Foie Gras and White Truffle Oil.  Though I modified the recipe here and there, I was thrilled with the result.  Since I generally do not measure seasoning, and the measurements listed are a guess of what I actually used, you’ll need to adjust to your own taste.  

The recipe was quick and easy to prepare, once the pumpkin was peeled and diced (that was the most time consuming part).  The seared foie gras and truffle oil add a layer of complexity to the soup, though it could be enjoyed without the foie gras or truffle oil.  

Here are the basic ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 leeks, sliced 

3 cloves garlic, smashed

8 cups diced peeled pumpkin (or use another winter squash)

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon thyme leaves

1 teaspoon rosemary

1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder 

1 teaspoon ground cumin 

6 1/2 cups chicken stock (store bought is fine)

1 14 oz. can coconut milk 

1 tablespoon sea salt

freshly ground pepper to taste

3 tablespoons brandy or cognac 

1 lb foie gras cubes or  8 pieces of flash frozen portioned foie gras 

2 teaspoons White Truffle Oil or Black Truffle Oil

Melt the butter in a medium soup pot.  Add leeks and garlic and cook over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes.  Add the diced pumpkin, herbs and spices, salt, pepper and chicken stock.  Bring to a boil, then cover pot and reduce heat to low.  Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.

Remove the bay leaf.  Add the coconut milk to the soup and puree in a blender.  Return the pureed soup to the pot and add the brandy.  Adjust the seasoning the taste.  Keep warm on stove.

Heat a heavy saute pan on medium high heat.  Season the foie gras with salt and fresh ground pepper.  Sear the foie gras cubes, or foie gras medallions on all sides until brown outside, but just cooked inside (still pink, but not raw).  

To serve, pour the soup into warmed soup bowls, top with a drizzle of truffle oil, then place the foie gras cubes or medallion on the top of the soup.

I have to admit, there have been times that I have wondered if white truffles are really “worth” the price.  At about $300 per ounce, serving a meal laced with white truffles from Alba, Italy is quite an investment.  Today, I prepared homemade pasta with fresh white truffles,  and was wowed with the amazing aroma and the distinctive, nutty, earthy flavor of these little gems.  I love discovering a recipe that is simple to prepare, yet so decadent and perfect.  This one is just that.  I can’t give exact measurements, since I prepared this using my own judgment, but I’ll share what I can, and I’m sure it will be easily reproduced.  I served this with Prosciutto de Parma and green salad, which was a nice compliment to the meal.    

Ingredients

Enough fresh made pasta for 4 – 6 people

8 Tablespoons butter

3/4 cup chicken stock

4 – 6 Tablespoons of freshly grated dry Italian cheese such as Pecorino or Parmigiano Reggiano

Fleur de sel and freshly ground pepper

1.5 – 2 ounces whole fresh white truffles

Instructions:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water.  Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock on medium heat and whisk half the butter into the stock, stirring constantly.  When the pasta is cooked to your taste, drain the water and put the cooked pasta back in the large pot.  Add the chicken broth and butter mixture to the pasta, along with the remaining butter and the cheese.  Mix thoroughly and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve in 4 – 6 pasta bowls.  Shave the truffles over each pasta dish at the table.