To me truffle butter is one of the great answers to life. Truffles themselves are very expensive but truffle butter is a great affordable way to indulge. And, of course, everything is better in butter.

Pigs and trained dogs are known for sniffing out truffles. The female pig's natural truffle seeking inclination is due to a compound within the truffle that resembles the pheramone found in boar saliva, to which the sow is keenly attracted. They do, however, have  a tendency to eat the truffles once found.  Humans also consider truffles to be aphrodisiacs and have been known to act porcine when coming into contact with them.  They are simply divine!

Have a glorious gastronomic holiday!

And don't forget this tip for preserving those champagne bubbles.

Shoe review: Gold metallic Sergio Rossis bring sparkle to the holidays.

Golden Caviar Truffle Pasta

• ½ lb fresh lemon pasta or any pasta you like
• 2-3 tbsp. truffle butter – can use plain sweet butter instead
• ¼ cup cream
• 2 heaping tbsp. golden caviar
• 1-2 tbsp chopped flat parsley
• 1 tbsp  lemon zest
• 1-2 tbsp pasta water
• extra virgin olive oil
• truffle oil (optional)
• salt
• pepper

Bring pot of water to a boil.  Add a few turns of olive oil. Add pasta.  If using fresh pasta, it will only take 2 minutes tops to cook.  If using dried pasta, follow instructions on box.  Meanwhile, over medium heat, melt butter in pan.  Truffle butter takes on a brown color without much cooking.  Turn off heat.  Add cream and pasta water.  Salt and pepper.  Fresh pasta will be done at this point.  Drain pasta and add to pan of butter and cream.  Toss.  Divide pasta among 2 plates.  Put a scoop of caviar in the center of each.  Sprinkle with parsley and lemon zest and drizzle with truffle oil.

Indulgently yours,

The Well Heeled Cook