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According to the surveys, Italian cuisine is the most popular in the modern world. Not only foreigners voted for it, but 99% of Italians, who took part in the survey, ranked their national dishes at the top.

What meal can be named “the queen” of Italian cuisine? No long guessing, it’s the pizza!

Originally the whole concept of pizza was different: it was just some food, the travelers took along with them, eaten from thin wheaten cakes used for the plates. However nowadays there are millions of pizza recipes, thousands of restaurants specialized in pizza and there are almost no ingredients that would taste bad on it.

There is one ingredient in particular that completely enhances a pizza, an ingredient that in the 15th century Europe was considered “garlic of the riches”. This so-called “garlic” was actually truffles!

Most people like a little garlic on their pizza, so it makes sense that truffles would also be the perfect addition to the classic Italian dish. The best thing about truffles is the numerous variations of it. From truffle shavings to truffle oil, this fungi has range!

The fun doesn’t stop when choosing the form of truffle. Say you decide to put some truffle oil on your pizza, then you have to choose between black and white truffle oil.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choices but still like cooking pizza at home, we are sure you will enjoy a new recipe. This one will be especially chic since the ingredients include our favorite truffle products.

Mushroom Pizza with Truffle Oil 

Ingredients (serves 2):

• 2 cups thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 4 ounces)
• 2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 4 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices portobello mushrooms (about 4 ounces)

You can actually take any mushrooms you like (but we strongly recommend the above set).

• 2 teaspoons cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled & minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons chopped basil
• 1/2 teaspoon Urbani Truffle Oil 
• 1 ounce grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 1/4 cup)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Urbani Tomato & Truffles Sauce

P.S. Depending on whether you prefer to make the dough yourself or use a purchased one, make sure you have at least 2 (8-ounce each) balls.

Step 1

Preheat your oven to the highest setting (usually 500 °F).

Step 2

On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to press your dough out to a 12-inch circle.

Step 3

Heat 2 teaspoons of truffle oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, the herbs, garlic, and mushrooms, and mix it well. Cook 7 minutes or until mushrooms soften and moisture almost evaporates, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Lightly cover a baking sheet (or pizza peel if using a pizza stone) with cornmeal, and place the dough on top. Lightly brush the outer edge of the pizza with olive oil, then spoon some of the Urbani Truffle & Tomato sauce into the center and smooth with the back of a spoon, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Place the pre-cooked mushrooms over the dough and scatter the cheese.

Step 5

Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

Step 6

Enjoy!

And for all the pizza lovers out there, don’t forget to join us at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo March 31st – April 2nd, where Urbani Truffles will be sharing booth #1835 with the Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center for the ultimate pizza experience! Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center was established to fill the need for skilled pizza makers and professional chefs in the restaurant industry. Click here to learn more about the training and events they offer.

Winter is heading towards its end, it’s almost mid-February on the calendars, which means the approach of the most romantic holiday in the year — St. Valentine’s Day.

While it’s best to show your beloved ones how you appreciate them without any special occasion, Valentine’s Day is another opportunity to express love and admiration once again. The modern tradition is to give the present to your valentine and organize some romantic time spending together.

The origins of the holiday go back to ancient times to the priest named Valentine. It is said that the priest went against the order of the emperor Claudius II, which forbade young soldiers to conduct marriages, and started to perform secret marriages. The weddings were happening until the secret was discovered by the emperor and Valentine was put to the death penalty. However, he already became so popular among young lovers, that they started celebrating the day of love in his name.

The presents and traditions about the holiday vary pretty much around the globe. For example, in America couples would usually present some heart-shaped chocolates to their crush, while Germans would prefer a ginger cookie and something with a pig on it, like a figure or card. Pigs are considered to be the symbols of love and lust, so they are the most popular mascots for this day.

Still, chocolate has the first place in the most popular sweets for couples. In Japan, people prepare different types of chocolate for their classmates/co-workers and, normally home-made, for their lovers.

If you want something special to present too, check out Urbani Truffle Chocolate Bonbons. The taste is extremely unique since it is a mixture of Italian truffle and high-quality chocolate. Your second half will definitely be surprised.

Flowers are also among the most popular gifts for this day. In many countries roses are the best sellers, however, in Denmark men prefer getting a bouquet of snowdrops for their sweethearts.

Another interesting tradition exists in Estonia: people who appear to be single on Valentine’s Day can take a ride on a “love bus” that gives an opportunity to find romance.

If you are far from all the romantic aspects of the holiday, it will be nice to know that in Slovenia February 14th is not only the day of love but also the spring welcome day. St. Valentine is known there as the patron saint of spring. So everyone can find a personal reason to make the date special.

This year, forgo fancy food at an expensive restaurant and prepare a romantic dinner for two at home. You and your sweetie will fall head over heels for the lovely main entrees we have for you that boost special-occasion appeal. Choose your romantic recipe on our YouTube channel here.

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We’ve had the Golden Globes, we’ve had the Baftas, but now the film industry is gearing up for its biggest night of the year — the Oscars. Whether you’re a classic movie buff or a blockbuster film fanatic, the yearly Academy Awards is likely to be a big deal for you and your friends. There are plenty of awards in the media world. There are big ones and small ones, known only by the local community and world-wide ceremonies. And among them, the Academy Award is the most prestigious and well-known around the globe. The Oscar Night is an extremely glamorous event broadcasted live yearly.

While it is a wonderful tradition for everyone employed in cinematography to visit the award every year, it became the same great tradition for all the movie-lovers to gather with friends and family and watch the Oscar ceremony.

To tell you more, many fans throw out dressed parties with their own red carpet and golden Oscar-like costumes. If you are interested, do not forget that the central place should be given to the home-like cinema. The coolest would be to get a projector and watch the ceremony on a really big screen because the ceremony is known not only for the movie stars but also for the great show with music industry celebrities performing.

At your next Oscars party, test everyone’s knowledge with trivia questions on the award ceremony’s history and fun, little-known facts:

– The Very First Oscar Winner

The first person to receive an Academy Award did not even attend the first Academy Awards ceremony. Emil Jannings, the winner for Best Actor in the 1927-28 Academy Awards, had decided to go back to his home in Germany before the ceremony. But before he left for his trip, Jannings was handed the very first Academy Award.

– The Oscar Statuette

The Oscar statuette stands at 13 1/2 inches tall and weighs 8 1/2 pounds. It depicts a knight, holding a sword, standing on a reel of film which has five spokes, representing the 5 original branches of the Academy–actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers. In 1949, the Academy started to number the statuettes, starting with number 501.

– The Only Oscar to Win an Oscar

Oscar Hammerstein II won the Oscar for his song, “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” in the movie Lady Be Good (1941).

What about the food? For such a chic occasion, the appetizers should be at the same level. Put aside the ordinary popcorn, chips or canapes. The ultimate essential for yout Oscar Night party is caviar, you can shop for it HERE. And below are some quick caviar appetizer recipes for your Oscar Party that are both easy to make and delightful to taste.

Caviar and Crème Fraîche Tartlets

It doesn’t get simpler — or more elegant — than crème fraîche and caviar tartlets alongside a glass of sparkling wine. Arrange tart shells on a serving platter. Pipe about 1/2 tablespoon crème fraîche onto one side of tart shells and spoon 1/2 teaspoon caviar onto the other side. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.

Smoked Salmon and Cheese Rolls

Slice smoked salmon, the slices should be thin and long enough to make a roll. Put some Philadelphia cheese in the middle of a slice and make a roll. A teaspoon of caviar on top will be the perfect finishing touch to the dish.

Avocado and Caviar Finger Sandwiches

Cut the crusts off of 8 slices of whole-grain bread (or bread of choice) and chop each slice into 4 equally-sized squares. Make finger sandwiches by spreading 1-2 tablespoons of the mashed avocado mixture on half of the bread squares. Finish the dish with a teaspoon of caviar on top of each sandwich.

All of the appetizers will go best with a glass of sparkling wine. Cheers and let your gorgeous party be fun!

The Super Bowl phenomenon has become so huge in the last few decades that we wanted to talk about it as well.

Many of us wait for those first days of February yearly to enjoy the Big Game and some tasty snacks. It is always a pleasure to share the fun with your close ones — your family, your friends or loved ones. That’s why we’ve decided to suggest throwing a real party for the Super Bowl day.

Sounds great, now you only need to do some preparations: find the chairs for everyone in front of the TV, get your team’s jerseys, buy the drinks and, definitely, the food. How to make your dinner party a bit less traditional? Here we have some cool recipes with truffle taste from our favorite Chefs for you to try out.

Truffle Sliders by Chef Michael King

1 jar Urbani Truffle Sauce

2 slider buns

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 mozzarella ball

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Season and cook the burger until very well seared on one side. Flip and sear for one minute. Toast the buns.  Combine Urbani Truffle Sauce with the mayonnaise and add lemon juice. Add cheese to the burger and continue cooking until desired internal temperature and cheese is melted. Put the truffle & mayonnaise sauce on the buns and put the sliders together.

Truffle, Artichoke and Spinach Dip by Chef Sean Quinn

2 oz mayonnaise

2 oz Pecorino Romano cheese (grated)

8 oz Urbani Truffle Cream Cheese

1 can Urbani Artichoke & Truffle sauce

1 lb frozen spinach (squeezed)

Salt & pepper to taste

This Spinach Dip Recipe is an easy appetizer or party dip that absolutely everyone loves! A rich and creamy Truffle Cream Cheese base is mixed with tender spinach leaves, mayonnaise and Urbani Truffle & Artichoke sauce. Top with 2-3 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 15-20 minutes till golden and bubbly. Serve with chips.

P.S. If you have no time or desire to cook on Sunday, the truffle sauces will also be perfect with chips or anything you like while watching the Game.

Voila! Enjoy your gourmand super snacks. For video recipes, check Urbani Youtube page. Shop Urbani products here.

What’s the most wonderful time of the year? Correct, it’s the winter holiday season! We not only like it for the opportunity to have some rest from the office, see all our family gathered at the Christmas table or re-watch all the favorite snowy movies. Most of us wait for the New Year to finally start a new life, get new habits and become better.

Writing New Year’s resolutions does not guarantee that all of them will be strictly followed, but they definitely help to organize the thoughts and understand the main priorities for yourself at the moment.

So, here is our resolution: in 2020 we will cook more! And we challenge you to join.

To help us start, let’s think about the simplest, yet delicious, winter recipe.

A Truffle Pasta:
– Take some egg pasta (if there’s no such – take any)
– 5 cloves garlic (minced)
– Fresh cracked black pepper
– Fresh Parmigiano cheese (grated)

For the truffles ingredient, you can either get the fresh truffles (25 grams black winter truffle or 10 grams white truffle) or get some Urbani Truffle Salt, which is more affordable and will still add unique truffle flavor to the dish.

Another option is to use your favorite fresh mushrooms or one of the decadent Urbani Truffle sauces. Ready to use out of the can, it’s the perfect option for those not familiar with truffle cooking. By the way, it will be the most gorgeous present for anyone sharing your New Year culinary resolutions.

Cook pasta according to the package till al dente. Get the pan and saute the garlic & mushrooms with truffle sauce. Then add the pasta and stir a bit. Add the pepper and the truffle salt (if that was your choice). Done! When serving, grate Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on top and that’s the step to add fresh truffle as well.

Now you have a plan to follow, so just go for it. Have a wonderful January!

A few thousand dollars a pound seems like a lot to pay for a mushroom. It does. But we are talking about the diamonds of gastronomy in the middle of White Truffle Festival, the time of year when the rare fungi are showered on dishes, signifying luxury even to the most jaded palates.

Italian jewel, the Alba White Truffle is world-renowned for its quality and value. Being collected mostly in the regions of Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, the Alba white truffle comes in various shades of color, ranging from white with pink veining to amber/grey with darker veining, depending on the host tree it lives off. White truffles that developed on oaks will have a darker reddish gleba (flesh), while truffles that are growing on poplars will have a yellowish gleba, and those growing on willows will be almost white. Their aroma will also differ a little according to the host tree.

Unlike their botanical name suggests (Tuber genus), truffles are not tubers, but wild, underground fungi (mushrooms) that grow symbiotically with the roots of their host trees. White truffles grow on different species of oaks and poplars, willows, hazel trees and linden trees. They can reach 12cm in diameter and weigh up to 500g or more, though they are usually between 150 and 400g.

But what makes Tuber Magnatum Pico the King of the kitchen?

While black truffles sometimes act as an ingredient in a dish, white truffles are almost exclusively used as a condiment. The, strong, pleasant smell of white truffle is intense, yet sensitive to heat. White truffles need to be consumed raw, as a precious finishing touch to top a fairly neutral dish.

White truffles should always be sliced with a special truffle slicer, and never grated. The recommended quantity is 10 grams per dish, but if the white truffle is of excellent quality and perfectly ripe, 6 to 8 grams may suffice.

The fact that white truffles should be consumed as fresh as possible, within a maximum of 5-7 days after the purchase is making them even more exclusive. Truffles have to be kept rolled in paper towels and placed in glass containers closed inside the fridge (no under 3°), with the paper towels changed daily.

White Truffles are nearly impossible to cultivate because recreating the necessary growing conditions is both difficult and costly and it can take years to yield truffles and decades to turn a profit. And in addition to their rarity, truffles lose about 5 percent of their weight every day, so they have to be harvested, processed and shipped as quickly as possible.

So where to start?

To get the most out of white truffle, it’s best served as simply as possible — not cooked, but finely sliced over a warm dish, which brings out its aroma. Shave your truffle over creamy tagliatelle — use only premium fresh pasta and a generous amount of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Discover the world’s finest gastronomic delight in our online store.

Credits to source/owner
https://www.urbani.com/news-and-events/everything-there-is-to-know-about-white-truffle/

Fall is a perfect time of year to be in the kitchen and try new recipes. The days are getting shorter, the air will soon be getting cooler, and it’s finally starting to feel like the right time to crank up our ovens and invite some friends over.

So we’ve gathered our favorite Urbani products for this season and the things you can do with them that will make you drool.

Urbani Truffle Salt

One thing you should never do with the Truffle Salt is cook with it. The truffle-ness is delicate and will break down with cooking so it will be a total waste. Always put it on things after they are cooked but before they are eaten. And there are plenty of things you can put truffle salt on!

Fall is peak brussels sprouts season, and while there are many ways to make them, we definitely suggest our version — which involves Truffle Salt and syrupy balsamic vinegar. And one of our favorite appetizers — Crostini with Sauteed Mushrooms, Mascarpone Cheese and Truffle Salt, just might become your favorite way to eat mushrooms.

Urbani Truffle Honey

One of the most delicious ways to indulge in the taste of truffles all year long is Truffle Honey: the sweet-and-earthy blend of honey and summer truffles. How to use it, though? Here’s some inspiration.

Four ingredients: bread, ricotta, Truffle Honey and salt — the essence of simplicity. These crostini make superb finger food, but you can also serve them as a light cheese course, a prelude to dessert. Either way, they’re pure heaven to the taste buds. You can also drizzle some Truffle Honey over baked Brie or Camembert for a lovely starter or dessert!

Urbani White Truffle & Mushroom Sauce

This creamy truffle sauce has many uses — from simple crostini topping to the flavorful meatloaf gravy. But for all the pizza lovers out there, we share our favorite truffle pizza secrets.

White pizza is the kind of thing that feels restaurant-fancy but is actually quite easy to make at home. To make the base, simply stir together ricotta and shredded mozzarella with garlic and oil. Top with Urbani Truffle & Mushroom Sauce and you’ve got something worthy of date night at home.

Urbani Truffle Bonbons

What if we told you that the best edible holiday gift you could ever imagine is only one click away from you? An unusual mix of truffles and chocolate can turn any occasion into a multi-day celebration.

And to take your truffle game one step further, shave Urbani Truffle Bonbons over your favorite gelato. Guaranteed, everyone will scream for these easy ice cream dessert with a truffle twist.

Credits to source/owner: urbani.com
https://www.urbani.com/news-and-events/urbanis-fall-favorites/

You probably know truffles as the thing that makes that entree expensive, but these tubers, often worth more than gold by weight, are pricey for a reason: they are really hard to find. 

So next time you meet a truffle hunter, smile and greet because these guys deserve a serious salute. 

Truffles grow on the roots of trees. As such, the host tree’s roots and its truffles compete for tasty nutrients in the soil. Truffle hunting takes time and a lot of patience. 

You have to train your dog when it is still just a puppy to improve its sense of smell and allow it to find the precious underground fungus, which resides several centimeters below the ground, close by specific types of trees. You could potentially train any dog to find a truffle, but it might be easier to train a puppy and to train a hound who likes to have his nose to the ground. While your dog is training, you will need to have access to truffle oil so he can get used to the strong scent of truffles. 

In previous centuries, pigs were used to go truffle hunting, especially female swine, which are particularly attracted to the heady scent of truffle. They were hard to control and it was difficult to stop them from gobbling up the precious truffles. It’s been illegal to use pigs for truffle hunting in Italy since 1985. The hogs caused too much damage and reduced truffle production. 

Truffle hunting in Italy is a serious business. Truffle hunters have to be licensed and the truffle grounds are protected by an ancient code of honor. It would be extremely bad manners to trespass on another truffle hunter’s patch. 

Now, are you ready to experience the unforgettable thrill of truffle hunting in Umbria and Piedmont, brought to you by our friends Authentic Italy?

Find out how coveted Italian truffles are found. Accompanied by trained truffle-hunting dogs and our 85-year old Truffle Hunter, you’ll explore the hills to search for truffles, and learn about the history and cultural traditions of these prized tubers. Authentic Italy is a luxury travel company with a passion for sharing Italy’s dynamic culture and spectacular foods and wines.

Credits to source/owner: urbani.com
https://www.urbani.com/news-and-events/truffle-hunting-101/

September is here and school is back in session. As the kids heading back to lessons, many parents are looking for easy but nutritious snacks and meals. And you know, delicious meals don’t have to be difficult. Some of the tastiest recipes are the simplest. Below are a few of Urbani’s favorite Back-to-School recipes for you to try out this fall.

New Take on Grilled Cheese

With a few creative ingredients, you can elevate the classic grilled cheese sandwich from childhood favorite to a comforting and satisfying main. A fancy sandwich for a quick lunch – Urbani Cream Cheese is blended with shredded cheese of your choice, then grilled between slices of French bread.

Pesto Pasta

For a fast weeknight meal that uses only two ingredients, Pesto Pasta is a definite go-to. It uses Urbani Truffle Pesto and refrigerated pasta to cut down on prep time so you can get your meal on the table fast with minimal cleanup. (And really, what’s not to love about that!).

Pesto works for any shape pasta, but typically long and thin or short and compact varieties are most familiar. When cooking your pasta, always salt your water generously (wait until your water has come to a boil) and cook your pasta until al denté so the noodles still have a good texture that hasn’t turned to mush. You can toss in a few fresh tomatoes on top once finished, and don’t forget that extra Parmigiano! 

Zucchini Tots

Loaded with zucchini and carrots, these tots do not even taste healthy. It’s the perfect way to sneak in veggies, and it’s just so stinking good.

Now, these tots are loaded with freshly grated zucchini, carrots, cheddar cheese and Parmigiano, although you can easily swap out the cheddar for your favorite kind of cheese.

Just be sure to wring out as much water as you can from the shredded zucchini – that’s the secret to getting these babies nice and crisp.

When ready to serve, all you need is a dollop of Urbani Truffle Ketchup. The pickiest of eaters don’t even have to know that these are loaded with veggies.

Credits to source/owner: urbani.com
https://www.urbani.com/news-and-events/back-to-school-easy-truffle-recipes-for-fall/

Labor Day is our last real chance to spend a weekday grilling steaks, veggies and seafood and whatever else tickles our fancy before summer starts to turn to fall. So let’s make it count.

Considering this might very well be your last summer cookout, you want to make it extra special. These recipes below are designed to give you the best one-in-a-lifetime cookout of the summer while doing as little work as practical.

You want to avoid exerting energy? Make steak. The beauty of throwing a great piece of meat on the grill is that it’s always impressive, but takes almost no work.

Always go for well-marbled steaks — that extra fat enhances flavor and promotes tenderness.

You’ll want to season your steak with Urbani Truffle Salt a few hours before grilling. Use 2/3 teaspoon of regular salt and 1/3 of truffle salt per pound of meat applying on both sides and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Be sure to get the salt on the edges of the steaks as well.

Hamburgers and hot dogs are classic. But what about putting a new spin on burger classic? Urbani & Pat LaFrieda Truffle Burger is made from short rib, brisket, chuck, and 100% Italian Black Summer Truffles. Fragrant summer truffles give a subtle touch of umami to Pat LaFrieda’s blend. And a smear of Urbani Truffle Ketchup on the buns takes your Truffle Burgers over the top.

Vegetarians, vegans: don’t think we forgot about you. The very fact that vegetables cook so quickly on the grill also means that you can get even more creative with them. Eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, sweet corn & onion, carrots, asparagus spears, and shiitake mushroom caps are all excellent candidates to be grilled on Labor Day with a sprinkle of Urbani Truffle Salt.

Credits to source/owner: urbani.com
https://www.urbani.com/news-and-events/truffle-grilling-labor-day/