Chinese Five Spice Powder

I have been using Chinese five spice powder in place of other spices in all kinds of recipes lately. I've had this jar in my cupboard for a few years (I know, spices should be replaced sooner but it still smells ok); I probably bought it for one recipe and haven't used it since. Now that I have been putting it into my regular rotation of spices, I am even going to recommend that you get yourself a jar.

Chinese five spice powder is a blend of (you guessed it) five spices, the most common being star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel. It is a warm blend of spices- think pumpkin pie spice with an Asian flair. Here are some recipes and quick ideas:

• Replace cinnamon with 5-spice powder in Bran Flax Muffins 
• Use 5-spice powder instead of other spices in my Olive Oil Granola
• Asian BBQ Pork: Sprinkle pork tenderloin with 5-spice powder and grill, basting with hoisin sauce in the last 5 minutes of cooking (can also substitute chicken)
• Pumpkin Pie: I am going to try this in the next few weeks- replace the regular pumpkin pie spices with 5-spice. I think it will be epic
• Exotic Cinnamon Toast: Spread toast with butter, sprinkle with a little 5-spice powder and sugar
• Roast Chicken: sprinkle a whole chicken with 5-spice, salt and pepper, roast as you normally would 
• Smoothie: I just had this for breakfast as I was writing this post and it was delicious. Blend an apple, 1/2 a banana, handful baby spinach, small handful rolled oats, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1/4 cup apple cider, a sprinkle of 5-spice powder.

And from around the web:

• Five Spice Stir Fried Pork from The Calgary Herald
• Chinese Five Spice Chocolate Chiffon Cake from Leite's Culinria
• Chinese Five Spice Noodles with Broccoli from Serious Eats
• Chinese Five Spice Roast Duck from A Table for Two
• Five Spice Almond Cooks from Whole Foods

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