Fungal Treats: Seven Unusual Foodie Gifts for Father’s Day

No matter what the occasion there are those of us who struggle to find the perfect gift for our dads. Father’s Day is another occasion that presents children across the country with the challenge of finding something a bit special for dads, but spending hours trawling the shops is not much fun when all you can see are a lot of things that are not quite right. However, with the rise of celebrity male chefs many dads are now keen to prove that they are better in the kitchen than Jamie Oliver and this provides us with a whole range of items to add to a list of potential gifts. Unusual food gifts could be the ideal way to give them the opportunity to show off their skills – as well as improve them!

1. Buy Fresh Truffle

Fresh truffles are available from 69p a gram and in quantities as little as 1 gram, so Daddy can create something special in the kitchen.

Fresh truffle has long been seen as an expensive luxury that is far beyond the means of most consumers. This is no longer the case and it is now possible to buy fresh truffle at reasonable prices and in small quantities (Enough truffle for a special dinner for two will set you back less than £20). Dads that are adventurous cooks will appreciate the chance to cook with this much sought after ingredient. Truffles have delicate flavours that can be easily brought out by the right dish. Truffles come in black and white varieties and are ideal for those aspiring chefs who want to create an unusual twist to a favourite dish. While it may sound like an ingredient that we should be very careful with, truffle is very easy to use as they are generally served raw as shavings over pasta dishes or salads, so even the most inexperienced chef would have to try very hard to get it wrong. As fresh truffle often features in French and Italian cuisine it is an easy way to give a truly continental feel to any meal.

2. Make Home-made truffle oil

Buy fresh truffle and make truffle oil for a lovely home-made gift.

Truffle is also used to enhance other ingredients and one of these is truffle oil. We often see speciality oils in shops that have been flavoured with a variety of herbs and spices but truffle oil is in a league of its own. This is perfect for the dad that likes to cook as it can be used in a variety of dishes as a dressing. These dishes include pasta, pizza and risottos. The oil can be bought already flavoured but if you are feeling adventurous you can buy fresh truffle and create your own truffle oil – a homemade foodie gift that adds a touch of luxury to a meal. The flavour of the truffle is delicate and this can be altered if the oil is heated too much so using it as a dressing is the best way to make the most of the flavour.

Warning: An important note when you’re buying truffle oil is to avoid any bottles with the words “truffle aroma” on it. This means it’s used synthetically produced aroma and has nothing to do with the real thing – except the price.

3. Want some Truffle Honey?

For any newbie cooks, truffle honey is a really delicious and easy way to taste truffle.

Why not opt for truffle honey as an unusual foodie gift? A jar of top quality honey flavoured by a few slivers of white truffle is a luxurious gift, perhaps ideal for those who are unsure about trying fresh truffle. It gives the opportunity to enjoy the flavour of the truffle but at the same time it can be used in the same way as any other honey. The honey can be used to make dressings, flavour cakes or simply spread on toast in the mornings to give breakfast a much more luxurious feel. Honey has a wealth of health giving properties that will benefit most people who use it on a regular basis.

4. Black Truffle Sauce – A storeroom essential

Black truffle sauces are a great tasty treat to have in your store-room.

Those who buy fresh truffle will know that for the best results it must be enjoyed in season, so how do enthusiasts manage for the rest of the year? A jar of black truffle sauce is the perfect addition to any gourmet’s kitchen cupboard as it captures the flavours of the truffle and can be used to enhance any number of dishes from risottos to meat dishes.

5. Invest in the future with a Truffle Plantation

For keen gardeners, buying an indoctrinated oak sapling could pay off in 7 years.

Those with a great deal of patience might like to try cultivating their own fresh truffle. It is now possible to purchase young trees that have been ‘infected’ with a variety of black truffle. Results can take a while (a few years!) to develop but with much care and attention enthusiastic gardeners and chefs may be able to enjoy the results of their own hard work. This is a gift that can challenge dad for years to come and one which can be enjoyed by the whole family. A ‘truffle tree’ is a real foodie gift with a difference and one that will stand the test of time.

6. 100% pure genius. Chocolate and Truffle

The flavours of cocoa and truffles work well together. Perhaps your farther's day hero needs both!

When using fresh truffle in the main course it is a good idea to plan a dessert which complements the flavours in it. Fresh truffle has delicate hints of chocolate, so a chocolate based dessert is a good option and the variety of dishes that can be made is endless. For the ideal chocolate foodie gift why not try 100% pure cacao? Even though most dads will appreciate a chocolate gift no matter what form it comes in, this is chocolate with a difference. This option is chocolate in its purest form and should only be used as an ingredient in other dishes. Pure cacao is reported to have antioxidant properties, making this just another incentive to add this to a wish list of potential gifts.

7. Get equiped with a truffle shaver.

A truffle shaver can be used for anything else too. It's a great addition to your kitchen!

Every chef will tell you that it is important to have the right equipment in the kitchen and this is especially important when you are using fresh truffle in a dish. The truffle should be finely sliced for the best results and with this in mind a specially designed truffle slicer is a must-have for adding the professional touch. Most have adjustable blades so you can achieve the thickness that you want and are versatile so can be used with other products such as cheese. Be sure not to let your dad loose on fresh truffle without the right tools!

Father’s Day is our chance to let our dads know how much they mean to us. Why not give a gift with a difference that he will appreciate and remember for years to come?