Make Your Own Asian Seasoning Mix

The finished seasoning blend gets even better after a month of storage.

You can make your own versatile Asian seasoning mix that imparts the flavors of the East to a variety of foods. Combining many popular seasonings from across Asia in proper proportions creates a spice blend with a complex flavor profile that engages the entire palate. Once the seasonings have been combined, they are good for up to six months with proper storage. Make a custom seasoning mix that tastes good on its own and it will be even better on the foods you cook.

Instructions

1. Add the star anise, fennel seeds, cinnamon, dried Szechwan pepper and whole cloves into a hot non-stick pan and immediately remove it from the heat. Toss the spices around in the pan to toast them evenly as the pan cools.

2. Dump the toasted spices into a spice grinder and turn the mix into a fine powder. This blend is basically what is known as Chinese five-spice. Coffee grinders also work fine, but they must be ones dedicated to spice use only and never used for coffee beans.

3. Combine the five-spice powder with all the other seasonings in a mixing bowl. Use a fork to blend the spices evenly.

4. Pinch a small amount of the Asian seasoning blend and sprinkle it onto your tongue. Read the ingredient list as you attempt to taste everything in the blend. Add more in 1/4 tsp increments of any ingredient you are having difficulty tasting or want to be more prominent. A small amount of cayenne pepper raises the heat level of the spice right away.

5. Pour the combined Asian seasonings into a food-safe glass or plastic storage container with an airtight seal. Close the container and place it on the shelf in a cool, dark and dry part of the house.

Tags: Asian seasoning, even better, seasoning blend, seasoning that, small amount