Five-spice powder

March 10, 2004

MAKES ABOUT 4 TEASPOONS

2 star anise, broken into points

1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a coffee grinder, finely grind the star anise, peppercorns and fennel. Add cinnamon and cloves and pulse to blend. Store in an airtight container in a dark place for up to 3 months.

Note: Serious cooks have a coffee grinder that is used only for grinding spices. If you don't want to take the plunge, you can use your everyday grinder. It must be the type that uses a blade, not a burr, for grinding. To remove unwanted flavors before and after grinding spices (you probably don't want five-spice-flavored coffee, or coffee-flavored five-spice powder), grind about 1/4 cup raw rice or granulated sugar to a powder -- it will pick up the residual flavors.