TUNA CARPACCIO WITH BASIL CREAM AND WHITE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Cut the tuna into 18 cubes, each one 1/2-inch thick, and 1 1/4-inch square. Place the cubes between sheets of lightly-oiled wax paper and flatten with a cleaver. You will have 18 very thin, fairly round "scallops" of tuna. Divide among 6 dinner plates and chill.
• Prepare the sauce: Put the egg yolks in a food processor. Add the lemon juice, and blend for 3 seconds. Add the oil, by drops, at first, then in a thin stream. The sauce will be fairly thick. Add the basil, blend for 3 seconds, then add the cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerating for 30 minutes brings out the flavor.
• When ready to serve, pour the sauce over the tuna slices. Shave the white truffle over all, and garnish each plate with fresh basil leaves.
• Note: Fresh white truffles from Piedmont are available in the U.S. from September through December. They are hideously expensive. The dish also works without them, or with extra-thin slices of white mushrooms sprinkled over the tuna.