When one thinks of their favorite cuisine, the top choices that would probably come to mind would be Italian, Japanese, American, and Asian cuisine. These are the major and most popular cuisines and they can be found in almost every country. While each country will have its own take or its own interpretation of the dishes, nothing beats authentic recipes. Italian cuisine is known all over the world and is enjoyed by people of all ages. While the kids love spaghetti, adults are enjoying serving after serving of ravioli and smooth Italian wine. The history of Italian cuisine is as colorful and rich as its flavor. One cannot have pasta and wine and not call it Italian cuisine – it is as distinctive and as popular as the country it originated from.

Italian cuisine is considered one of the oldest cuisines in the world. The current Italian menus and recipes have its roots from Roman and Greek cuisine. When tomatoes were initially grown in France, people began cooking up salsa de pomodoro. The recipe for pomodoro sauce nowadays is still almost exactly like the pomodoro sauce of the old years. The Italians pastas and noodles are believed to have been adapted by Italian merchants upon their travel to Asia. The travels of the locals to the Far East have introduced the use of spices and herbs to Italian cooking.

Pasta is the most common dish and is a staple in the Italian region. Made of durum wheat, it is one of the main sources of carbohydrates and fiber in their meals. Pizza also originated from Italy, although some may mistake it as an American dish. Italy also houses some of the most expansive vineyards in the world, making them one of the top producers of quality Italian wines.

Some cuisines are regional based. Milan is famous for their risotto, while Naples seems to have perfected the authentic Italian pizza recipe. Because of their geographical location, the coastal regions are heavy on their use of fish and seafood on their recipes. Sicily can be tasted with a bit of North African influence, while Umbria has western influence. Read the rest of this entry »

The Chinese food is distinctive for its traditional properties. Along the new cuisines, many origins of Chinese food date back many thousands of years. From simple street side snacks to lavish grand banquet, they form a unique color landscape of Chinese food. I would like to investigate the fascinating world of Chinese cuisine.

The city of Qu fu is located in the north of China, Shang dong Province. It is one of the centers of Chinese official cuisine, Shandong cuisine (Lu Cai). The colorful style of Lu Cai dates back at least two thousand years. Qu Fu is also the birthplace of another Chinese icon, Confucius. Confucius is better known for his philosophy relating politics, society and social order. How can we connect Chinese traditional food with Confucius? He was also a gourmet who believed “where food concerns, seek the finest”. He did not only create refined cuisine but also he created a kind of complete food philosophy. Some of the form, structure, etiquette that Confucius brought to the dining table changed Chinese eating way. Confucian cuisine is based on the commendation, balance and nutrition. The order and system contained in Confucian cuisine is the oldest in China’s recorded history and it does not only influences Shandong cuisine but also other regions’ cuisine too. Shandong cuisine is the number one cuisine in China. This is a result of the decision made by the Chinese feudal dynasties, to adopt Confucianism as the philosophy of governance. Read the rest of this entry »