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If you thought globalisation was a 21st Century idea you could not be more wrong. It is known that food techniques, spices and recipes have been crossing cultural boundaries since before Marco Polo went to China and helped revolutionise European taste buds. The global recipe exchange in fact brought the noodle to Italy, the potato to Ireland and glorious chocolate to the world.
But what is fusion food exactly? To give one good and familiar example, it is taking an Italian staple like polenta, tossing in whitefish and zucchini, adding a Thai twist with coconut milk and red curry and topping it off with a sense of adventure.
The fusion style of cooking, which is simply the blending of culinary traditions from different cultures, was popularised in the 1980s by Australian and American chefs. Fusion cooking has also reached the Maltese Islands, bringing with it a renewed sense of excitement for food in all its wondrous variety thanks to the ready availability of fresh ingredients and new flavours from virtually every cultural corner of the globe.
It has helped groom Maltese tastes to a more international palate, with the exotic flavours of the East combining with staple foodstuffs from the West. But the best thing about Fusion cooking is that it's fun. Treating yourself to a fantastic Fusion meal means letting yourself into a culinary world where the possibilities and the varieties are nearly endless: Brazilian with Japanese, Malaysian with Tex-Mex, Caribbean with Thai, it just doesn’t stop.
Some local chefs have also successfully graduated Maltese typical food into the fusion scene. Of course you need to have an open mind and a bit of whimsy, but you could be hooked forever.
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Hugo’s Lounge. Located in the heart of Malta’s prime nightlife area Paceville, Hugo’s is an ideal place to sample some of the island’s finest fusion food. For more information give them a call on (+356) 2138 2264 or check out their website www.hugosloungemalta.com
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