These little beauties are truffles - the real deal Italian black and white truffles (you'd be amazed how many people only associate the term 'truffle' with chocolate). Once a year or so - I splurge on some truffles - and a large group of my friends get together and have a total blow out. I am not a good wine drinker - so this is my real extravagance.

The black ones will be mostly cooked with - but the white ones... well, they are really special - and deserve special treatment - and a light hand. Shaved over Risotto Bianca (finished with marscapone and perhaps a raw egg yolk). Their fragrance and flavour is almost as indescribable as it mindblowingly delicous. Rich, earthy, garlicky with an almost toasted grain sweetness. And without trying to be creepy - sexy. The underlying flavors are honest and real - there is no contrivance or false luxury.

True, they are incredibly pricey, but that is neither here or there - in fact, I'm the kind of guy that prefers avoids expensive food for its own sake. But there are times when the price of admission is worth it.

I did not try my first fresh white truffle until I was almost 40 - and the lesson I learned was that no matter how jaded you think your palate is - there are always new flavors and experiences to savor. And if you are lucky - you get to share it with friends.