If you were to ask the majority of the population in the United States what is the first flavor they think of when they eat Italian food, their response would almost always be “garlic.” This reply is most disparaging to those of us who were raised in Italian households, or those of us who have been lucky enough to have traveled throughout Italy. The flavor profiles of Italy are as diverse and tantalizing as the topography of the country itself.
In the northern regions such as Milan, Parma, and Tuscany you will note that the most frequently used spices are those delicately flavored: aromatic basil, bay leaf, marjoram, mint, parsley, rosemary and sage. There is less reliance on tomato-based sauces as recipes often include sheep and goats milk products producing creamier sauces which are savory, rich and mild. The one noticeable exception is the use of garlic blended with olive oil, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese which magically transform into pesto.
Discriminating palates also note that Northern flavors contrast sharply with the bolder and spicier cuisine of the south. Olive oil is used in the north, but it is usually combined with butter. Garlic is not used with a heavy hand as many of today’s popular chefs would lead us to believe. The further north you travel you will find that the cuisine incorporates the flavors of caraway, cinnamon, and nutmeg as a result of Italian palates blending with their neighbors to the north in France, Austria, and Germany.
Looking to the south and coastal areas such as Naples and Palermo, Italian cuisine becomes infused with a more flavorful, almost spicy olive oil, San Marzano tomato’s, peperoncino (red pepper flakes), lemons, capers and anchovies. Spices such as oregano and fennel are stronger flavored aromatics that bring life and depth to the dishes of southern Italy which are frequently made from the sea’s bounty.
Heading further south the influence of coriander, thyme, dill, and occasionally, ginger, enter the picture giving a tremendous vibrance to seafood dishes and soups, sauces, and stews.
Great chefs and wonderful home cooks all recognize the importance of experimenting with your favorite spice profiles and expanding your palate to include regional flavors that you haven’t yet enjoyed.
Christini’s has become the definition of fine dining in Orlando, known for our quintessential service and high quality, classic northern Italian cuisine. Our elegance is translated throughout every aspect of your culinary experience by providing you with exemplary service paired with dishes that are made from only the highest quality ingredients. Superb dishes, excellent service, and a transcendent and comfortable ambiance all blend together to construct the definition of fine dining in Orlando.