Best Five Spice Recipes

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.

PEKING DUCK WITH HONEY AND FIVE-SPICE GLAZE

Steps:

• Combine honey, soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder in a small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
• In a large saucepan, bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Meanwhile, remove giblets and neck from duck cavity and discard (or reserve for another use). Cut off excess fat from cavity and neck area, then cut off tail. (This helps balance the duck vertically over the beer can.)
• Using your fingers, carefully separate the skin from the breast meat through the bottom of the breasts and work your fingers upward to separate the skin from the meat (be careful not to tear skin). Next, separate the skin from the backbone through the neck and working your way down until you reach the legs. (Scissors are helpful, but be careful to avoid piercing the skin.) Transfer duck to a rack set in the sink.
• Using a ladle or measuring cup, pour half of the boiling water evenly over top of the duck. Flip duck and pour the remaining water evenly all over second side. Tilt duck to drain all water from the cavity, then pat dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder with 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper and 1 tablespoon of the glaze. Rub the mixture inside the cavity. Stand duck vertically by inserting beer can into cavity and place in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Using a pastry brush, brush the remaining glaze all over the duck and sprinkle evenly with remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Place duck in the refrigerator, uncovered, until the skin feels dry and leathery, 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees with rack in bottom third of oven. Remove duck from refrigerator, and add 1 1/2 cups water to the pan. Wrap wing tips and tips of drumsticks with foil to prevent burning, then loosely tent duck with foil. Roast for 15 minutes. Decrease temperature to 350 degrees and roast, tented with foil, until skin is mahogany and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes more, adding more water to the pan if needed.
• Leaving duck on the can, transfer duck vertically to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes. Carve the crispy skin from the back and legs of the duck, and slice into strips.
• Carefully remove duck from the beer can and return to cutting board. Carve off the breasts and legs; thinly slice the breasts and shred dark meat.
• Carefully strain pan juices into a small bowl and pour off all the fat. In another small bowl, whisk together the hoisin, sesame oil and up to 1/4 cup of the pan juices to form sauce.
• To serve, spread 1 tablespoon prepared sauce on each tortilla. Top each with some scallions, cucumbers, duck meat and crispy skin. Roll up and enjoy warm.

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.

SPICY CHINESE FIVE-SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS WITH CREAMY CILANTRO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.
• If you have whole chicken wings, cut off wingtips and cut the wings in half at the joint. Discard wingtips or freeze to make stock at a later time.
• Place the wings in a large bowl. Sprinkle five-spice powder and cayenne on the wings, add a few pinches of salt and about 15 grinds of black pepper. Rub the mixture into all the wings until no more loose rub remains. Wash your hands.
• Line the wing pieces up on a baking sheet so the side of the wing that has the most skin is facing up. Roast until cooked through, browned and crispy, about 25 minutes. Serve hot with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce.
• Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients to incorporate them fully and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

FIVE-SPICE DUCK BREAST WITH BLACKBERRIES

Steps:

• Trim duck breasts as necessary, removing extraneous fat or gristle. Score the skin side of the breast diagonally with a sharp knife.
• Season both sides of the duck breasts with salt, then sprinkle both sides evenly with five-spice powder. Mix together ginger and garlic and use it to slather the breasts. Cover and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. (Alternatively, wrap and refrigerate for several hours, or even overnight; bring back to room temperature before cooking.)
• Place a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. When pan is hot, lay duck breast in it skin-side down. Let sizzle gently for 7 minutes, until skin is crisp and golden, adjusting heat as necessary to keep from getting too dark too quickly. Turn breast over and cook 3 to 5 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer should register 125 degrees for medium rare. Remove from pan and let rest for 10 minutes on a warm plate. Drain fat from pan (reserve for another use if you wish).
• Make the sauce: Over medium heat, add shallots to same pan and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add sherry vinegar, brown sugar and half the blackberries, stirring until sugar is dissolved and berries have released their juice. Add chicken broth, raise heat and simmer rapidly until liquid is reduced by half and a bit syrupy. Strain the contents of the skillet into a small saucepan and keep warm.
• To serve, slice duck breast thinly across the grain on a diagonal and arrange on a platter. Spoon the sauce over the meat and garnish with the rest of the blackberries.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE SPARE RIBS

Steps:

• Combine soy sauce, white wine vinegar, sesame oil, honey, five-spice powder, garlic, and ginger in a large storage bag. Shake to mix well. Add ribs to marinade; refrigerate 4 to 8 hours, turning bag occasionally.
• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Remove ribs from marinade and place in a roasting pan; cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Cook ribs for one hour, turning occasionally. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Remove foil from pan and bake an additional 20 minutes, turning once, until ribs are nicely browned.

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.

PAN-SEARED FIVE-SPICE DUCK BREAST WITH BALSAMIC JUS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy self-sealing plastic bag, combine the garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, salt, and pepper. Add the duck breasts, seal, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C/gas 6. In a large ovenproof sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the duck breast, skin side down, for 5 minutes; turn and sear for 5 minutes on the other side. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for 5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the duck breasts to a plate and keep warm.
• To make a balsamic jus, pour off the fat from the pan. Return the pan to medium-high heat, add the wine, and stir to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook to reduce the wine by half. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook to reduce for several more minutes.
• Cut the duck breasts into diagonal slices and serve drizzled with the balsamic jus.

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.

GRILLED FIVE SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Score the skin side of each piece of chicken 2 to 3 times, about 1/8 inch deep.
• Whisk together the the juice of 1/2 lime, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, garlic, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, Chinese five-spice powder, 2 teaspoons hot chile paste, ginger, and soy sauce in a bowl. Pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, coat evenly with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in refrigerator for 6 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken halves from the bag and transfer to a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Pat chicken pieces dry with more paper towels. Reserve marinade mixture in a small bowl.
• Whisk together the 1/3 cup rice vinegar, juice of 1/2 lime, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, and 1 teaspoon hot chile paste in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Grill chicken, skin-side down, on the preheated grill for 2 minutes. Turn each piece, brush with reserved marinade mixture, and move to indirect heat.
• Grill, brushing with glaze and turning ever 10-15 minutes, until well-browned and meat is no longer pink in the center, about 45 minutes total. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
• Drizzle vinegar lime juice mixture over the chicken and serve.

FIVE-SPICE POWDER

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in blender or coffee grinder.
• Blend until finely ground.
• Store in airtight container.
• Keeps up to 2 months.
• Note: You could"roast" the whole spices a bit for a more intense flavor in a dry frying pan-- Watch closely to prevent spices from burning.

FIVE-SPICE CALAMARI WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For dipping sauce:
• Combine all ingredients except mayonnaise in processor. Blend well. Transfer to bowl. Stir in mayonnaise. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Whisk before serving.)
• For calamari:
• Pour oil to depth of 3 inches in heavy large pot. Heat to 350°F. Whisk next 4 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Pour buttermilk into another large bowl. Add calamari to buttermilk. Working in batches, remove calamari; dredge in flour mixture. Fry until just crisp, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Serve warm with sauce.
• *Available in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets.
• **A blend of ground anise, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and ginger available in the spice section of most supermarkets.

FIVE-SPICE SHORT RIBS WITH CARROT-PARSNIP PURéE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Season ribs with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/4 teaspoons pepper and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Rinse one carrot and one parsnip and cut into thirds (no need to peel); reserve.
• In a large bowl, toss short ribs with flour until evenly coated. In a large Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. When oil is hot, add 3 or 4 short ribs and sear on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and continue working in batches to sear remaining short ribs. Pour out all but 1 tablespoon oil from Dutch oven and reduce heat to medium. Add tomato paste and five-spice powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add wine to pot, scraping up brown bits with a wooden spoon. Bring cooking liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 10 minutes.
• Add reserved carrot and parsnip chunks, broth, onion, garlic, reserved cilantro stems, bay leaves, and seared short ribs. Nestle the short ribs in the cooking liquid to cover. Bring the liquid to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover and transfer to the oven to braise for 2 hours. Uncover pot and continue to braise in the oven until beef is very tender and falling off the bone, 30 to 60 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, set a large pot of salted water to boil. Peel and roughly chop remaining carrots and parsnips. Add cook carrots and parsnips to boiling water and cook until tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes. Drain vegetables and return them to the pot. Add milk, butter, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg. Use an immersion blender, potato masher or a fork to blend or mash to desired consistency (it can be as smooth or chunky as you like). Taste and adjust seasoning. Place a lid on the pot and reserve until ready to serve.
• When short ribs are done, transfer them from cooking liquid to a plate. Set a strainer over a large bowl, and strain cooking liquid. Discard solids and pour strained cooking liquid back into Dutch oven. Set pot over medium-high heat and simmer until liquid is reduced by half and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Gently reheat carrot-parsnip purée.
• Serve short ribs over carrot-parsnip purée, topped with its sauce and a sprinkling of cilantro.

FIVE SPICE SLOW COOKER PORK WITH NOODLES

Steps:

• Rub the pork all over with the five-spice powder and salt. Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the scallions, garlic, ginger, the mushrooms, if using, and the meat, turning it a few times to coat. Cover the cooker, set it on HIGH, and cook for 4 hours. Set the cooker on LOW and cook until the meat is very tender, at least another 2 hours (6 hours total).
• Transfer the pork to a platter, cover lightly, and let rest 15 minutes. Meanwhile, pour the cooking liquid into a measuring cup and skim off and discard the vegetables and fat that rise to the surface. Slice the meat and serve warm or at room temperature with noodles and the sauce on the side.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Arrange the pork chops in a single layer in a non-metallic baking dish.
• Sprinkle on the five spice powder, then drizzle over the soy sauce and garlic oil.
• Using clean hands rub the mixture into the meat.
• Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 325°C/160°F.
• Uncover the dish and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and tender.
• Serve immediately with a green leafy vegetable or broccoli and plain boiled or steamed rice.

CHINESE FIVE-SPICE POWDER

Steps:

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

BRAISED FIVE-SPICE LAMB SHANKS WITH SOY AND GINGER

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except the bok choy, oil, rice and scallions in large pot that can later be covered; bring to a boil and simmer, covered, until the flavors have melded, about 15 minutes.
• Sauté the bok choy in the oil until tender; stir it into the stew at the last minute and serve over rice, garnished with the scallions.

FESTIVE GOLDEN FIVE-SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the marinade ingredients, put the chicken into a dish, then pour over the marinade, mixing to coat. Cover, then chill for at least 20 mins, or up to a day if you have time.
• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4, and lift the chicken out of the marinade into a roasting tin. Roast for 40 mins, pour over the remaining marinade, then cook for a further 30 mins until golden and sticky. Sprinkle with the spring onion, then serve.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Sprinkle with five-spice powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate to 'marinate' for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove wrapping from chicken breasts and place them in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until cooked through and juices run clear.

FIVE SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk soy sauce, olive oil, sherry, orange juice, garlic, ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder together in a bowl; pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze bag to remove excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 1 hour.
• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken slices from the marinade; shake to remove excess moisture. Discard remaining marinade.
• Grill chicken until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 3 minutes per side.