Chinese Five Spice Food

CHINESE FIVE-SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the chicken pieces in a large dish or plastic bag.
• Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the chicken.
• Marinate refrigerated overnight or for 1 to 2 hours if time is short.
• Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and brush with the marinade.
• Cook uncovered in a preheated 350F (180C) oven, brushing once or twice with the marinade, until the chicken is done, about one hour.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE (MADE EASY)

Steps:

• NOTE: SOME FIVE-SPICE RECIPES WILL HAVE YOU TOAST THE WHOLE FENNEL AND STAR ANISE FIRST. YOU MAY DO THIS, BUT I GENERALLY PREFER NOT TO FOR A CLEAN, FRESH FLAVOR. HOWEVER, IF USING THE SPICE SPECIFICALLY FOR BARBECUED MEATS OR PHO SOUP, I RECOMMEND LIGHTLY TOASTING THEM FIRST IN A DRY SKILLET OVER MEDIUM HEAT FOR A SMOKY FLAVOR BEFORE THE FINAL GRINDING. YOU MAY SUBSTITUTE THE SZECHUAN PEPPERCORN WITH WHITE PEPPER, WHICH IS A POPULAR BLEND FOR USE IN CHINESE COOKERY. KEEP IN MIND -- "A LITTLE BIT OF FIVE SPICE POWDER GOES A LONG WAY". WHEN SEASONING FOODS, START WITH A SMALL AMOUNT, THEN ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
• MEASURE all ingredients into a clean spice mill or coffee grinder, whether whole or ground, using pre-ground cinnamon as the only exception: 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon cloves, 1 tablespoon fennel, 1 tablespoon star anise, 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorn.
• GRIND mixture in a clean spice mill or coffee grinder in 15-30 second increments, until mixture is finely powderized.
• Store in an airtight container.
• Use measure-for-measure in any recipe calling for Chinese Five Spice powder.

CHINESE FIVE-SPICE POWDER

Steps:

• Mix the spices together and store in an airtight jar.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE SIRLOIN

Steps:

• Mix the grapefruit, tomatoes, onion parsley, 1 1/ 2-ounce ginger, oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until needed.
• Remove all the fat from the sirloin and split the meat in half length-wise. Make an incision at one end of the "eye" and with steel, such as a skewer, make a tunnel hole through the meat without breaking the outer meat.
• Mix remaining ginger with basil and garlic. Using the scallions as plungers, push the basil mixture with the scallions into the center of the sirloin. Coat the outside of the meat with the five-spice powder.
• Roast the sirloin to the desired temperature. Slice the meat into thin even pieces and arrange on a plate beside the grapefruit salad.

FIVE-SPICE MIX

Steps:

• Toast the whole spices in a small pan until they are aromatic and have turned a shade or two darker. Don't be tempted to skip this stage, as it really enhances the flavours.
• Tip into a spice grinder (or use a pestle and mortar), then add the ready-ground spices and dried herbs if required, and crush to a fine powder. Store in a sealed jar for up to six months.

CHINESE FIVE-SPICE SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat fillets with olive oil and place skin-side down in large baking dish. Sprinkle fillets with five-spice powder, sugar, lime peel, lime juice, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.
• Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Meanwhile, heat sesame oil in large nonstick skillet. Add mushrooms and ginger; cook and stir until mushrooms are soft. Stir in bok choy and cook until heated through. Serve salmon over mushroom-bok choy mixture.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE

Steps:

• In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine all ingredients (in batches if necessary); grind until mixture becomes a fine powder. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

CHINESE 5-SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Combine flour, five-spice powder, baking soda and dry pudding mix. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in egg. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition.
• Drop tablespoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets.
• Bake 10 to 12 min. or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool 1 min. on baking sheets. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Whisk powdered sugar, water and extract until blended; brush onto cookies. Sprinkle with nuts.

CHINESE 5 SPICE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in small airtight container.
• Store in a cool, dry place.

HOW TO MAKE FIVE-SPICE POWDER

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a dry skillet or wok, toast the Sichuan peppercorns by shaking the pan over low to medium heat until the aroma of the peppercorns is released. This will take around 3 minutes.
• Grind the toasted peppercorns and the star anise in a blender, pepper mill, or spice grinder .
• Pass the blended seasonings through a fine-mesh strainer so you are left with an even consistency.
• Mix in the ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and ground fennel seeds.
• Place the mixture back into the blender, mill, or spice grinder and grind the spices until very fine.
• Store in an airtight container and keep in a dark, cool space until use.