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The Food Guy's Journey: Truffles from Europe to Chicago

2024-12-06

Imagine a world where a simple chocolate treat transforms into a culinary treasure. Truffles, often mistaken as just a sweet indulgence, hold a much more fascinating story. NBC Chicago's Food Guy Steve Dolinsky embarked on a remarkable journey a few weeks ago, venturing into the forests of Northern Italy and Croatia in search of these elusive fungi.

Uncover the Hidden Delights of Truffles

Black and White Truffles: Nature's Priceless Gems

Truffles come in two distinct varieties - black and white. These precious fungi are impossible to cultivate, relying solely on the keen noses of trained dogs in the wild. Italy's Piedmont region is renowned worldwide for its truffles, but the lesser-known Croatian region of Istria also plays a significant role. Istria, a peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea opposite Venice, is famous for its wine, olive oil, and of course, truffles. However, finding these truffles is no easy task, as Steve Dolinsky discovered one morning near the village of Šćulci.The first sound that greets you in the morning is not that of a rooster but of truffle-hunting dogs. Lagotto Romagnolos and labradors are trained from a young age, specifically three months old, to detect the alien-like tubers known as black and white truffles. Armin Hadžić, a truffle hunter, shared that this year has been dry, resulting in a reduced truffle harvest. "Now they offer a lot of money just to encourage hunters to come here and try their luck," he said.If a truffle hunter and their dogs are successful, they are rewarded handsomely. Truffles can fetch around a thousand dollars per pound. After a 45-minute adventure through a damp forest covered in autumn leaves, the Romagnolo finally hit paydirt - a white truffle. "You need a dog with the ability to smell one meter deep," Hadžić emphasized.Back at Karlić Tartufi, the truffles undergo a meticulous process. They are scrubbed, cleaned, and air-dried before being packaged for shipment to the United States, where they will grace tables in a day or two. In Karlić's dining room for tourists, they showcase the various applications of truffles. There are four types of black truffles that retail for more than $500 per pound, while the rarer white truffles can command six times that amount."Why are they expensive? Because they are rare. Very, very rare," explained Lidija Sirotić, one of the managers at Karlić Tartufi. Shaved raw, truffles add a unique perfume to anything they touch. "From cold dishes like salami and cheeses..." Sirotić continued. But their aroma and flavor also enhance warm dishes. "Like pasta and scrambled eggs," she added.In the West Loop, Monteverde focuses on regional Italian cooking, particularly homemade pastas. Truffles make a regular appearance on their menu for half the year, especially during this season. "White truffles are best shaved on top, never cooked with. Black truffles, on the other hand, can handle more robust flavors," said Sarah Grueneberg, the chef-owner of Monteverde. She currently offers a potato and Montasio cheese-filled žlikrofi pasta from the Friuli region, a rich dish perfect for cooler weather. "Brown butter, a little chopped truffles, and honey with a shaving of black truffles on top," she described.Tajarin, a hand-cut angel hair pasta, is tossed with European butter, rolled into a log, and drizzled with Parmesan fonduta. It is then brought to the table, where a generous shaving of white truffles is added. "It's quite fun for the chefs to come out and shave the truffles and interact with the diners," Grueneberg said.At Riccardo Trattoria in Lincoln Park, Riccardo Michi has been purchasing truffles for nearly 20 years. Usually, they will shave about 5 grams of black truffles onto dishes like warm polenta with fried eggs. The blacks can withstand the heat. "Black truffle has a longer season and is more common. White truffles are more prestigious and precious," Michi explained. But whites are also shaved tableside on tagliolini, a neutral canvas. Michi admits that it is nearly impossible to describe the eating experience. "It's difficult to explain. You have to try it for yourself," he said.By the way, Monteverde is hosting a truffle dinner on Monday night, and tickets are still available. Several other local restaurants are also offering truffles from Istria. You can learn more about where to find them from the local importer - Tartufo Prestige Chicago.Featured spots:Monteverde1020 W. Madison St., 312-888-3041Riccardo Trattoria2119 N. Clark St., 773-549-0038Tartufo Prestige@tartufoprestige.chicago (Instagram)If you're planning a trip to Croatia, don't miss Karlić Tartufi.

Thursday evening witnessed a tragic event as a two-alarm fire erupted in Woodbridge, leaving a youth sports complex in ruins. The fire initially started on the exterior side of a single-family home on Devil’s Reach Road. The first crew arrived at the scene in the 13000 block of Sport and Health Drive and immediately called for a second alarm as they observed the fire spreading rapidly. Shortly afterward, a third alarm was requested. Fire officials have determined that brush and other combustibles ignited and spread to the Kids Choice Sports building on Sport and Health Drive.

The Impact of a House Fire on a Youth Sports Complex

Initial Fire Scene and Response

The first crew to reach the scene on Devil’s Reach Road was met with a sight of a fire that had already made significant progress. The rapid spread of the flames was a cause for concern as it quickly engulfed the surrounding area. The decision to call for a second and then a third alarm demonstrated the severity of the situation and the need for additional resources. The fire department worked tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further, but the damage to the youth sports complex was already extensive.

As the fire continued to rage, it became clear that the Kids Choice Sports building was in grave danger. The building, which was not heavily occupied at the time of the incident, was now facing the full force of the fire. Fire officials worked quickly to assess the situation and determine the best course of action to protect the building and its contents.

Aftermath and Assistance

After the fire was finally brought under control, fire crews remained at the scene to clear away debris and conduct a thorough investigation. The cause of the initial fire has not yet been determined, leaving many questions unanswered. In the meantime, three adults who were displaced from the home on Devil’s Reach Road are receiving assistance from the Red Cross. The Red Cross is providing them with shelter, food, and other necessary support during this difficult time.

The damage to the youth sports complex is extensive, with the building left scorched and in need of extensive repairs. The community is coming together to support the affected individuals and organizations, showing the strength and resilience of the Woodbridge community in the face of adversity.

Lessons Learned and Future Precautions

This tragic event has highlighted the importance of fire safety and preparedness. It serves as a reminder that even in seemingly safe communities, fires can occur and cause significant damage. Fire departments are working to review their protocols and procedures to ensure that they are equipped to handle similar situations in the future. Homeowners and businesses are also being encouraged to take proactive measures to prevent fires and ensure the safety of their properties and occupants.

Looking ahead, there will be a long road to recovery for the Woodbridge youth sports complex. The community will need to come together to support the rebuilding efforts and ensure that the sports complex can once again serve as a hub for youth sports in the area.

Deep within the Vatican's hidden tombs lies a mural of Jesus Christ. Embedded along his limbs and torso are levers with four Roman numerals beneath them. The path forward demands deciphering the placement of each lever. I tip my hat and embark on a journey through a space that may have remained unseen by mortal eyes for centuries.

Experience the Wonders and Challenges within the Vatican's Tombs

The Mural and Lever Puzzle

Within the Vatican's secret tombs, I encountered a mural of Jesus Christ. Along his limbs and torso were levers protruding, each with Roman numerals. The task at hand was to determine the correct placement of these levers. I delved deep into this enigma, squeezing through narrow openings and uncovering hidden messages. After careful study and mental exercises, I successfully identified the lever positions for the mural's hands. This initial challenge set the stage for the adventures that lay ahead.Another opening in the tomb's main hub led me to a marble statue of a Roman soldier holding a spear. My knowledge of Bible scriptures proved invaluable as I realized the correct positioning of the lever sticking out of Jesus's side must be here. It was a moment of triumph as I found the hidden message and returned it to the mural.

The Narrative Beating Heart

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is the character's first video game since 2009's Staff of Kings. Set at Marshall College where Jones teaches archeology, a mysterious man steals a valuable artifact. Indy sets off on an adventure to uncover the significance of the relic and its theft. The game takes place in 1937, a year after Raiders of the Lost Ark, adding depth to Indy's character.Although the game doesn't overly reference the films, fans will appreciate its seamless integration into the broader fiction. References to characters like Belloch and Henry Jones Sr. make it feel like a long-lost chapter in Indy's exploits.

The Charming Cast

The cast of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is truly remarkable. Developer Machine Games nailed the look and feel of the classic films, with cinematography that captures the epic essence. The writing and humor are on point, and the pacing and action set pieces feel like they were cut from the movies.Troy Baker does an excellent job echoing Harrison Ford, but the standout is the rest of the cast. Marios Gavrilis as the primary villain Emmerich Voss gives a memorable performance, and Indy's chemistry with his companion Gina Lombardi, played by Alessandra Mastronardi, is a joy to watch. Gina has become a new video game crush for many.

Good Old-Fashioned Fisticuffs

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle combines combat, stealth, exploration, and puzzle-solving. The decision to make it a first-person adventure game was initially strange but has proven successful. The game is split into two halves: open-ended levels and more linear guided sections.The open-ended stages allow players to explore gorgeous, massive environments, complete side quests, and progress the main plot. Indy uses a combination of stealth, disguises, and fisticuffs. Sneaking around is fun, and fisticuffs feel satisfying.For fans of retro video games, it's a spiritual successor to games like 2007's The Darkness and 2004's Chronicles of Riddick. The hub world structure gives the adventure a grand feel without being overwhelming.

Classic Puzzles

Puzzles are the heart of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. Exploring the hubs leads to various puzzles of different sizes. Some require close reading of enemy notes to unlock safes, while others involve solving elaborate puzzle chambers while avoiding traps.The puzzles aren't overly difficult but make you think. They add a welcome element of challenge to the game. Machine Games struck a great balance between fun and challenge, making it an adventure game that makes you feel like the world's greatest archeologist.

The Game's Weaknesses

While the game has many strengths, it also has a few weaknesses. The platforming can be slow, with Indy taking plodding steps when scaling walls. Backtracking for hidden items can be annoying. The gunplay is lacking compared to other action games.However, the game rarely requires shooting to get out of situations. Save for a few occasions, rifles and pistols are used more as melee weapons. The open-world structure can also drag towards the end, especially for completionists.

Full Circle

After decades inspiring video game characters, Indiana Jones makes a triumphant return. Machine Games stayed true to the source material, creating an authentic Indiana Jones simulator. The Great Circle stands out in the AAA gaming landscape.It's a near-perfect adaptation that we hope to see more of. In a time when the fate of the Indiana Jones film franchise is uncertain, Machine Games proves to be a safe pair of hands for the future of cinema's greatest adventurer.9/10Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be released on Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 9 and on PS5 in spring 2025. Inverse was provided with an Xbox Series X copy for this review.Inverse VIDEO GAME REVIEW ETHOS: Every Inverse video game review answers two questions: Is this game worth your time? Are you getting what you pay for? We have no tolerance for endless fetch quests, clunky mechanics, or bugs that dilute the experience. We care deeply about a game's design, world-building, character arcs, and storytelling come together. Inverse will never punch down, but we aren't afraid to punch up. We love magic and science-fiction in equal measure, and as much as we love experiencing rich stories and worlds through games, we won't ignore the real-world context in which those games are made.