Pasta dishes are popular around the world, with Italian Carbonara and Chinese Chow Mein being fan favorites. Carbonara is a cream-based pasta dish originating in Rome, while Chow Mein is a Chinese stir-fry dish with crispy and soft noodles. Both dishes are easy to prepare and can be adjusted based on personal preferences. Carbonara has a creamy texture with a sharp taste, while Chow Mein has a full flavor with a combination of meat, vegetables, and spices. Despite their cultural differences, both dishes are delicious and satisfying.

Pasta Wars: Italian Carbonara vs. Chinese Chow Mein

Food has always been a common denominator that brings people from different cultures together. While everyone has their own cuisine and way of cooking, there are certain dishes that have become fan favorites all around the world. One such dish is pasta. Pasta, a staple food of Italy, has found its way into every corner of the world. People have adapted, tweaked and even created several dishes based on it. In this article, we are going to talk about two of the most popular pasta dishes: the Italian Carbonara and the Chinese Chow Mein.

Italian Carbonara

The Carbonara is a cream-based pasta dish from Rome, Italy. The dish originated in the 1940s, during the post-World War II era. As the name suggests, the dish has a carbon-like texture that resembles coal, which is what the soldiers who returned from war were accustomed to eating. The Carbonara is made using spaghetti, cracked black pepper, eggs, pecorino romano cheese, guanciale or pancetta (bacon), and cream.

Ingredients

• 500g spaghetti
• 5 eggs, whites and yolks separated
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino romano cheese
• 1/4 cup guanciale or pancetta (bacon)
• 1/4 cup cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Boil salted water in a large pot, and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Fry the guanciale or pancetta in a pan until crispy.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk the yolks and add the Pecorino roman cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Remove the guanciale or pancetta from the pan and leave the remaining fat in the pan.
5. Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and let it cook in the fat for a minute. Remove the pan from heat.
6. Add the egg and cheese mixture to the spaghetti and stir quickly.
7. Add the crispy guanciale or pancetta to the spaghetti mixture.
8. Finally, add the cream to the spaghetti mixture sauce and stir well.

Taste and Texture

The Carbonara pasta is creamy, smooth, and flavorful. The pecorino romano cheese gives the dish a sharp taste. The cream adds a velvety texture to the dish, and the bacon brings savory flavors that balance out the sweetness.

Chinese Chow Mein

The Chow Mein is one of the most popular Chinese stir-fry dishes in the world. Known as the Cantonese style fried noodles, Chow Mein has both crispy and soft noodles, along with stir-fried veggies and meat. The dish is quite simple to prepare, and you can add any vegetable or meat of your choice.

Ingredients

• 250g wheat noodles, cooked
• 1/2 cup chicken or beef, sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup sliced cabbage
• 1/4 cup sliced carrot
• 1/4 cup sliced mushroom
• 1/4 cup sliced onion
• 1 tablespoon ginger and garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Cook the wheat noodles according to the package instructions, then rinse with cold water, and set aside.
2. Heat up a skillet with a high smoke point until searing hot.
3. Season the sliced chicken or beef with salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until cooked and tender, then remove the meat and set aside.
4. Stir-fry the vegetables in the same skillet for 3-5 minutes, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
5. Stir-fry the ginger and garlic until fragrant, then add the cooked noodles to the skillet and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.
6. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to the noodles, then add the stir-fried meat and vegetables from earlier.
7. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes more and serve hot.

Taste and Texture

The Chow Mein noodles have a crispy and soft texture, and the combination of meat, vegetables, and spices gives the dish a full flavor. The soy sauce adds a dark and savory flavor, and the sesame oil gives it a nutty and slightly sweet taste.

Conclusion

Both the Carbonara and the Chow Mein are delicious and easy-to-prepare dishes. While the Carbonara originated in Italy, Chow Mein is a Chinese dish that has gained widespread popularity. The Carbonara has a creamy, smooth texture and a balanced flavor, while the Chow Mein has crispy and soft noodles that are full of flavor. Whichever you choose, both dishes are sure to leave you satisfied and craving more.