Chinese five-spice powder is a constant ingredient in Chitalian cooking as it intensifies the flavors of the  dish that is being cooked, especially when the meat in the dish simmers on the stove for long hours. 

This particular spice powder is commonly a mixture of star anise, cloves and cinnamon with a dash of Schezuan pepper, all blended together with ground fennel seeds.  But more often than not, the sweet flavors of star anise is the dominant spice found in the five spice powder.  It is excellent to use it when marinading pork and duck, for instance and it can even be used to season stir-fried dishes. 

Here is a version of the Chinese five-spice powder that can make at home.

Ingredients

1 ½ Tablespoon star anise
2 ½ Teaspoon Schezuan pepper
2 ½ Teaspoon fennel seeds
1 ½ Teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ Teaspoon cloves

Shanghai Cuisine is popularly known for marinading chicken and fish, for instance, with wine or spirits and then, the meat is thoroughly cooked or it is eaten raw.  In addition, salted meats and preserved vegetables are often utilized as additional ingredients in order to render spiciness to the dish.

Moreover, sugar is commonly used in Shanghainese cooking and often, soy sauce is used along with sugar in order to infuse and emphasize the sweetness to the dish.

And then, incorporating the spiciness, sweetness and alcohol infusion that the Shanghainese cuisine is known for and mixing it up with Italian ingredients such as pasta as well as with the Italian cooking techniques, this brings in new flavors and sensations that contribute to the popularity of Chitalian cuisine.

Basic Chitalian Cooking Ingrediants and Where to Find Them

Chitalian Cooking Techniques

Chinese and Italian Basic Cooking Ingrediants