Chinese Sauce Recipe : Chinese Five-spice Powder

A popular ancient spice used in Chinese cuisine for a variety of savory dishes e.g. stir fried meats or red-cooked dishes. It is a blend of spices consisting of ground star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds and Szechuan peppercorns. Like curry powder, the combination of spices can vary according to the manufacturer, however star anise is usually the flavor that stands out. Here's how you can make your own five spice powder.

1. Roast two teaspoons of Szechuan peppercorns in a dry frypan for about three minutes.
2. Grind the peppercorns in a pepper grinder or coffee grinder together with 8 star anise pods.
3. Strain the ground spices to remove any larger bits.
4. Mix together 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon ground fennel seeds.
5. Grind the completed mixture until it is a very fine powder.