5 Spice On Ice Recipes

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 BLEND

Steps:

• Toast the peppercorns in a hot pan until they are aromatic, about 1 minute. Put into an electric spice grinder along with the star anise, cloves and fennel seeds and process into a powder. Add the cinnamon and process for a few seconds to combine. Store in an airtight jar.

LITCHI FIVE-SPICE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a heatproof bowl whisk together sugar, cornstarch, eggs, five-spice powder, and a pinch salt until combined well. In a heavy saucepan heat milk just to a boil and add in a slow stream to egg mixture, whisking. Transfer custard to pan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly. Boil custard gently, whisking, 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and cool custard, stirring occasionally. Chill custard, covered. until cold, about 3 hours.
• In a blender purée litchis with 1/2 cup cream and stir into custard with remaining cup cream. Freeze custard in an ice-cream maker. Ice cream may be made 1 week ahead.

FIVE SPICE

Steps:

• Place a small skillet over medium heat. Add spices and toast, stirring, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes. Pour into a small bowl and set aside to cool. If using the whole spices for a braise, they are ready to go.
• To make the spices into a powder, use a spice grinder, clean coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle to grind the spices until fine. If you like, you can strain the mix through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any coarse bits, but this is optional. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

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.

FIVE SPICE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Spoon into a container.
• Cover and freeze until firm.
• May be frozen for up to four days.

FIVE-SPICE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Tear tangerine peel into pieces. Pulse peppercorns, star anise, cloves, and allspice to a coarse mixture in grinder.
• Combine cream, milk, tangerine peel, spices, and 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy medium saucepan. With tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into cream mixture, then drop in pod. Bring mixture just to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 20 minutes.
• Bring spiced milk to a simmer, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding spices and peel. Return to saucepan.
• Whisk whole egg and yolks with remaining 1/2 cup sugar in bowl until pale, then add hot spiced milk in a slow stream, whisking. Return to saucepan and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until mixture coats back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on an instant-read thermometer (do not let boil). Immediately strain custard through fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then whisk in rum and kosher salt.
• Chill custard at least 6 hours, then freeze in ice cream maker.

FABULOUS FIVE SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, blend the soy sauce, oil, sherry, shallots, garlic, ginger, Chinese five-spice powder, serrano pepper, brown sugar, anise, and salt until smooth. Place the chicken in a large bowl. Pour the blended mixture over the chicken, cover, and marinate at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
• Preheat grill for high heat.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade. Place chicken on the grill, and cook 10 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear.