For many centuries, spicy foods have been attributed often to Chinese cuisine.  For instance, in the Schezuan province located in Southwestern China, this particular region is famous for the spicy and pungent flavors in the foods that are prepared because of the common use of chili peppers and garlic.  Also, Schezuan peppercorn, which is a plant that is native to this province, is commonly used in Schezuan cuisine as well as other spices and herbs like ginger and star anise.  And because many people believe that Chinese cuisine as using liberal dashes of spices onto the foods that are prepared, it is often envisioned that any common person who consumes these foods would need to take in large amounts of water in the efforts of calming his raging taste buds.

Meanwhile, when people talk about Italian cuisine, what immediately comes to mind are pasta and pizza dishes as Italians love tomato sauce.  And they balance the sour taste of the tomato sauce with the sweetness of the bell pepper in the dishes that they prefer.  Also, Italians love to use potato and maize a lot in the foods they cook.

Although, generally, Italians do not put spices in the pasta and pizza dishes, there is a particular region in Italy where spices are liberally used when cooking.  And this is the Calabrian region.  In Calabria, people from this region love to use spices when they prepare food.  Eggplant is also one of the favorite ingredients of people in this region and they have invented numerous dishes that use this particular vegetable.

Because of the love for spicy foods that both Calabrians and Schezuans share, the new addition to the Chitalian recipes that I have included below would absolutely be a hit for both.  In this dish, I have included Schezuan peppercorn, which as I have mentioned before, is a staple spice in the Schezuan cuisine.  And combined with the sweetness and citrusy taste of bergamot oranges in addition to the sugar, these bring in wonderful contrasting flavors that you would surely enjoy.  And with the smoky flavor obtained from grilling the pork chops, this would make your mouth water.

Chitalian Pork Chops

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

6 Pork chops
2 Tablespoons Schezuan peppercorn
2 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 Cup fennel seeds
1 Cup bergamot oranges, peeled and seeds removed

Directions

Make sure that the pork chops are flattened by lightly pounding on them.  Marinade pork chops in soy sauce and bergamot oranges.  Rub pork chops with Schezuan peppercorn, fennel seeds and sugar and cover them with foil.  Grill the pork chops on hot coals.  When done, remove the foil and put the pork chops on a serving plate.

So, the next time you and your family want to fire up the grill for an outdoor cookout together, then, be sure to try the Chitalian pork chops.  This would be an instant hit with your family and you can even cook this on your next party with your friends.  And if you want to try other great Chitalian recipes, simply go to www.Vito-Wong-Chinese-Italian-Food.com now.

For many centuries, people across nations love Chinese and Italian foods.  When you talk about Chinese cuisine, one of the things that would immediately come to your mind is dim sum, which consists of light dishes that are meant to be served alongside Chinese tea.  Another dish that also pops into your mind when you hear Chinese food is congee or what is commonly known as porridge where its main ingredient is rice, which is commonly abundant in Asian countries.

Due to the differences in culture among the many areas of China, there are many variations that have been created that have made what Chinese cuisine is today.  For instance, the people in the Schezuan province are known to love foods that have bold flavors and they love to use garlic and chili peppers when they cook.  Another example is the Cantonese province where people in this particular area of China believe in the saying, “Nothing goes to waste”.  In fact, to prove this, they even incorporate internal organs of a pig, for example, in their dishes.  At the same time, they want the sauce in the dishes to be as mild as possible so, that there would not be any overwhelming flavors in the dishes.

Meanwhile, when you talk about Italian cuisine, what comes to your mind is pasta.  There are a lot of pasta that are available today such as spaghetti, macaroni and linguini.  And who could ever forget pizza?  Many countries have made their own versions of this particularly well-loved and well-accepted Italian dish.

The Italian cuisine is known for liberal use of ingredients such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell pepper and maize that they incorporate with meat, cheese and pasta.

Both the Chinese and Italian cuisines are popular on their own.  But have you ever thought of fusing together the best cooking techniques that both culinary styles have to offer in order to come up with new and tasty dishes?  Here is one of the Chitalian recipes that you can definitely try out and serve on your meal with your family and even on your next dinner party with your friends.

Sweet and Spicy Pork Linguini

Ingredients

400 Grams (14 oz) linguini noodles
200 Grams (7 oz) lean pork, cut into strips
½ Cup white onion, chopped
1/3 Cup green bell pepper, chopped
1/3 Cup red bell pepper, chopped
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp light soy sauce
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Tbsp chili paste
2 Tbsp cornstarch or flour, dissolved in 2 tbsp water

Directions

Put water in a pot and bring to boil.  Put linguini noodles in the pot and cook until the noodles are firm but not hard.  Drain the water from the noodles and set aside.

Put olive oil in frying pan.  Put onion and both green and red bell peppers and saute for a few minutes until the onion is translucent.  Then, put the pork into the pan and stir.  Add the sugar, chili paste and cornstarch or flour into the pan and mix until the meat is cooked.

Add the meat and the sauce on the pasta.  Toss and mix well.

Do you love to occasionally go out to experience fine dining?  Do you love to throw dinner parties for your friends and loved ones?  Do you find yourself serving and eating the same boring starters like prosciutto, finger sandwiches and canapes?  Are you tired of eating conventional appetizers such as soups, vegetable salads and bread?  Do you want to have new and delightful dishes that tantalize your taste buds as well as your eyes?

Today, more and more contemporary restaurants are offering fusion cuisine, a combination of two or more culinary traditions that bring out new and interesting dishes that is sure to whet your adventurous palate.  And one of the fusion cuisine that is becoming popular is the Chitalian culinary art style that is a mixture of Chinese and Italian ingredients and cooking techniques.

One of the Chitalian dishes that is a must-try is the Wonton Ravioli, which provides a new twist in starters, as it brings about new dimension in flavors.  At the same time, it is low-cal that is sure to capture the hearts of those who are calorie-conscious. It is very easy to prepare and the ingredients can easily be bought from any supermarket or grocery store.

Here is a recipe of the Wonton Ravioli that you can surely try at home.

Ingredients

For the ravioli:

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans
1 egg
3 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 teaspoons Italian seasoning (recommended: McCormick)
24 wonton wrappers (recommended: Dynasty)

For the sauce:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
2 tablespoons capers
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (recommended: McCormick)
1 tablespoon freshly minced parsley leaves
Salt
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

For the Ravioli:

In a blender, puree together the beans, egg, vinaigrette, cheese, and Italian seasoning; set aside.
Working in batches, so the wrappers don’t dry out, lay out 6 to 8 wonton wrappers. Place 1/2 tablespoon of bean mixture in the center of each. Moisten 2 connecting edges of the wonton wrapper with your finger dipped in water.

Fold wrapper in half to form a triangle. Press edges together to seal. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a low boil.

For the sauce:

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until it begins to brown and have a nutty aroma. Turn off heat and stir in capers and Italian seasoning.

Working in batches, cook ravioli in boiling salted water until just tender, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer ravioli to hot butter sauce. Add parsley to pan. Use a spoon to coat ravioli with sauce. Transfer to plates and add salt.

Serve immediately garnished with grated Parmesan.

Now that you know how to prepare Wonton Ravioli, why not serve it on your next dinner party?  Your guests are sure to love it as it brings about a new level of dining experience as well as their overall enjoyment of your party.

For many years, fast food chains have made burgers, fries and shakes as menu staples of these establishments everywhere in the world and people across regions have learned to like these types of food however different they may be to their native dishes.  But now, gone were the days where restaurants just stick to what they usually serve as more and more people are looking for variety as well as that new yet familiar taste that they have grown accustomed to with their local food.

So, in the Asian region, alone, restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), which originally serves American cuisine, have revamped its menu by introducing new dishes that would hopefully capture the target local customers.  KFC decided to expand its menu that combined Western Cuisine with Eastern influences in order to not just provide more food choices but also adapt to the local palate.  Thus, this quirky and innovative restaurant has strengthened the establishment of a new trend in fusion cuisine, which is called Chitalian culinary art style.  This new kind of fusion cuisine combines Chinese and Italian ingredients as well as cooking preparation techniques to come up with new, healthy and sumptuous dishes.

Now, one of the dishes this famous fast food chain has introduced recently to the Asian market is the Kung Pao Chicken Pasta, a blend of sweet and spicy chicken strips heaped over the oh-so traditional spaghetti noodles.  And ever since its inclusion in the menu offering, it has received mixed reviews from customers.  After tasting this new dish, some customers said that the Kung Pao Chicken Pasta is a terrific blend of sweetness and spiciness in the chicken.  Meanwhile, other consumers said that it does not provide value-for-money quality that they are looking for as the serving was too small for them.  In addition, there was even one customer who said that he preferred the peanuts on the dish to be crushed and not whole.

If you find yourself stuck home alone and you don’t have enough cash to buy KFC Kung Pao Chicken Pasta, you can surely try this easy recipe on your own.

Kung Pao Chicken Pasta

*Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 Chicken breasts, de-boned and cut into strips
400 Grams (14 oz) spaghetti noodles
2 Tbsp white wine
2 Tbsp Soy sauce
2 Tbsp olive or palm oil
2 Tbsp cornstarch or flour, dissolved in 2 tbsp water
2 Tbsp chili paste
1 Tsp vinegar
2 Tbsp refined sugar
4 Onion shoots, chopped
1 Tbsp garlic, chopped
½ Cup peanuts, chopped

Directions

Boil water with salt in a pot.  Put spaghetti noodles in the pot and cook until the noodles are firm but not hard.  Drain the water and set the noodles aside to cool off.

For the marinade, mix together the white wine, soy sauce, olive or palm oil and the cornstarch or flour mixture in a bowl.  Then, put the chicken on the bowl and mix well. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for one hour for the chicken to absorb the marinade completely.

For the sauce, mix together the rest of the white wine, soy sauce, olive or palm oil, cornstarch or flour mixture, chili paste, vinegar and refined sugar in a bowl.  Then, put the chopped onion shoots, chopped garlic and peanuts on the bowl and mix well.  Put the mixture on a sauce pan and heat it up until fragrant.

While the sauce is simmering, get the chicken off the marinade and saute it in a pan until the meat turns white.  Then, combine the sauce with the chicken and simmer until the sauce is thick enough.

Place the chicken with the sauce on the pasta.  Toss and mix well.

Regardless of the differing views that the local market has regarding KFC Kung Pao Chicken Pasta, this restaurant would still continue to introduce new and innovative dishes for many years to come.

In different countries around the world, people differentiate themselves in many aspects such as culture or way of life and even in the ingredients as well as the way they cook food is influenced by the regions where they live in.  And because of the varying preferences that people have in various locations, restaurants, for instance, see to it that the food in their menu adapt to how people in that particular area like their food.  For example, the American fastfood chain Kentucky Fried Chicken has introduced Kung Pao Chicken Pasta in Asian countries, which is a fusion between the Italian spaghetti and the Chinese-originated spicy and sweet Chicken with nuts.  Another example is MacDonald’s that offers spicy chicken burgers as well as burger steak meals as part of its menu lineup, which are not offered in Western countries.

Because of the difference that food is served in a way that would suit the taste and preferences of different people in different regions, a new, way of cooking food has been introduced and this is what is called fusion cuisine, which has originated in Europe and has been around since the 1970’s, particularly in France.  Usually, the two cuisines that are most often mixed together to form unique dishes are Asian and European where they combine European ingredients with Asian style of cooking.  And due to the popularity of fusion cuisine, it has spread in other countries such as the United States.

For instance, two of the most popular cuisines that have been mixed together to form unusual yet tasty dishes are Chinese and Italian.  And due to this union of two excellent cuisines, a new word has been coined to describe this unique way of cooking and this is what is called Chitalian cuisine.

Basically, in Chitalian cuisine, it mixes Asian-inspired ingredients with Italian pasta to introduce new noodle dishes.  Here is an example of a Chitalian pasta recipe, which is the Schezuan spicy spaghetti that definitely gives a fresh, new twist to serving pasta.

Schezuan Spicy Spaghetti

*Makes four servings

Ingredients

2 Chicken breasts, poached, de-boned and cut into thin strips
400 Grams spaghetti noodles
2 Cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 Onion, peeled and chopped
2 Tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
¼ Pound coriander leaves, chopped
2 Tsp chili paste
4 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 Tsp salt

Directions

1. Boil water with salt in a pot.  Put spaghetti noodles in the pot and cook until the noodles are firm but not hard.  Drain the water and set the noodles aside to cool off.

2. Heat olive or vegetable oil in a pan.  And then, add garlic and onion and saute until the onion is clear.

3. Add chicken, tomato, coriander and chili paste into the pan and stir once in a while.  Cook for 10 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and put the contents on top of the noodles.  Toss and mix the noodles with the mixture.

Now that you know that Chitalian cuisine offers a unique blend of ingredients and cooking methods that has resulted in new, sumptuous dishes, why don’t you try it and find out?