Five-spice powder

Make your own version of five-spice, with a blend of cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns and cloves.

Ingredients

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 6 whole star anise
• 2 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 tsp whole cloves

Steps

1. To make your own Chinese five-spice powder, toast the cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns and whole cloves in a small, dry frying pan over a low heat until aromatic and a shade or two darker. Crush to a powder using a pestle and mortar or spice grinder. Will keep in an airtight jar for up to six months.