Culinary Journeys, Episode 5: Truffles – The Black Gold of Perth
Classic Italian Comfort Food Featuring an Australian Delicacy
Black Périgord truffles are among the most expensive edible mushrooms in the world, and Western Australia is one of the world’s largest producers of them. When one thinks of black truffles, images of the eponymous Périgord region in France and Italy’s Piedmont region come to mind. But in Perth, even in summertime – considered “off season” for the fine fungus – restaurants across town feature truffle-accented dishes on their menus, creatively incorporating their earthy flavor into signature entrees, from seafood to potato salad.
But it’s a classic Italian specialty that takes center stage in the latest episode of “Crystal Cruises Presents: A Culinary Journey Hosted by Jon Ashton,” which takes Jon to some of Perth’s local foodie hubs in search of the best iteration of black truffles. Through his explorations, Jon is inspired to bring the truffles of Western Australia back to Crystal Serenity, where he works with Prego’s Chef de Cuisine Alfred Napotnik to create Italian gnocchi prepared in the Old-World style – a rich, creamy comfort food of the most elegant kind.
And where better to serve such a decadent, yet uncomplicated, dish than Prego?
In the words of Chef Alfred, whose parents would take him to Italy for weekend lunches during his childhood, “Simple is always good.”
Keep following the Crystal Insider as Chef Jon and Crystal Cruises’ culinary team explore the flavors and signature cuisines of the world aboard Crystal Serenity.