Oranges With Star Anise Thai Style Recipes

TRADITIONAL THAI ICED TEA WITH STAR ANISE

Steps:

• Bring 1/2 gallon of cold water to a boil. Add 8 finely crushed star anise pods, 1 teaspoon orange blossom water, the scrapings of 1 vanilla pod or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, a pinch each of ground cloves and ground cinnamon, and 1/2 cup Chinese black tea leaves.
• Boil for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup sugar and a few drops of red food coloring (optional, though traditional). Cover, steeping until tepid.
• Strain & place in the refriderator for a few hours to really chill.
• Pour the tea over plenty of crushed ice. Top with half-and-half or sweetened condensed milk.

THAI ORANGE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir carrots, ginger, and garlic until carrots are slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer carrot mixture to a bowl. Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the same skillet.
• Cook and stir chicken in the hot olive oil until no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Add carrot mixture, water, peanuts, orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and red pepper flakes to chicken; stir to combine. Cover and simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Remove about 1/4 cup sauce from the skillet; whisk in cornstarch until dissolved and sauce is smooth. Pour cornstarch mixture back into chicken and sauce; cook until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 more minutes.

ORANGES WITH STAR ANISE THAI-STYLE

Steps:

• Combine the water, sugar and star anise pods in a medium saucepan.
• Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Simmer the liquid until it is reduced to a generous 1 cup. This will take about 15 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in the orange blossom flower water. Remove star anise and set aside.
• Cover liquid and chill until cold.
• Use a sharp knife and cut off the orange peel and white pith.
• Slice oranges crosswise into 1/3" rounds. Set the oranges slices on a platter and pour the syrup over them.
• Garnish with the fresh mint. (If desired, garnish the fruit with the star anise that was set aside).