In addition to being an excellent seasoning for various Asian braised dishes and soups, it can be used in European beverages like mulled wine and cider. Ground star anise is also a great addition to baked goods like gingerbread and pumpkin pie. Tomato is one ingredient popular in the west that pairs well with star anise. Do grind star anise yourself. However, cloves' aroma and flavor become stronger and more distinct when cooked for an extended period. It's why you have to make sure you add the cloves 15 minutes or less before the end of the cooking process.

Za’atar is a culinary herb family (including species of thyme and oregano). It also refers to the Middle Eastern spice mix containing za’atar herbs, sesame seeds, sumac and spices.

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking Planta Medica, “Estrogenic activity of isolated compounds and essential oils of Pimpinella species from Turkey, evaluated using a recombinant yeast screen.” It is a pungent spice that can completely outshine all other flavors in a dish. If you over-spice, you may then need to increase your current amounts to dilute. Do take advantage of star anise’s versatility. Star anise is one of the spices in the Chinese five-spice powder, alongside fennel, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon and cloves. It’s also one of the main flavours in sambuca and absinthe. What does star anise taste like?

Those who aren't aware will be surprised to know that cassia bark powder is a less popular type of cinnamon than the pantry staple, Ceylon cinnamon powder. Some of you might already used it a few times in your recipes without even knowing it, as it's sometimes labeled as Chinese cinnamon. Now, how do you use this mixture of tarragon caraway seeds? Simply add the same amount of the caraway seeds mixed with tarragon as what the recipe calls for star anise. Since whole anise seeds are an excellent star anise substitute, it's not surprising that ground anise is also a perfect substitute for ground star anise. Simply replace ground star anise with twice the amount of ground anise seed.Or, add three whole pods to soups, stews and braising liquids to replace one tablespoon of five spice. Remove the pods before serving your dish. Chinese five spice has a warm and spicy cinnamon flavour with sweet liquorice-like tones from the star anise and fennel seeds. Add the sugar, 300ml of water, peeled and sliced ginger, and star anise into a saucepan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Add the plums and simmer for another 5 minutes or till they are tender. Then remove it from heat.

To use star anise essential oil in cooking is very easy, you just need to add a few drops to your dishes or use it in place of your regular oil. If you use a teaspoon or even half a teaspoon, it might become extremely overpowering and ruin the entire product. Be careful with the amount when using star anise in cooking. Things to avoid when using star anise in cookingGround anise, also known as aniseed powder, is a spice derived from the seed of the anise plant. Its sweet, licorice-like flavor and aroma make it a popular ingredient in many culinary recipes. However, it also offers a range of health benefits that have been recognized for centuries. I tried out a version that had me beat my mix for 40 minutes. I wasn’t sure my old kitchen aid would handle being on medium for that long but worked out just fine. It’s a trooper. One thing that really helps this recipe is to have room temperature eggs. I take mine out in the morning if I’m planning on baking early that afternoon. You can toast your whole spices in a hot, dry pan for a few minutes before grinding them. It intensifies the flavour, but I often skip this step. The mix is pretty intense already! I suggest adding a quarter of the amount of the required star anise in your recipe and then just add more when your need or want to.

Anise is a key flavor in many foods, including wine and iced tea. So it might come as no surprise that the herb has been linked with tiredness in some people. Anise extract made of anise oil, water, and vodka has a specific licorice flavor. This extract adds flavor to baked goods, desserts, cooked dishes, and beverages. Like most other spices, star anise needs a dry spot that is dark and cool for its aroma and flavor to last as long as possible. Whole star anise can last as long as two years if it is stored properly; ground star anise can last for about a year under the right conditions. Don’t cook star anise for too long. Tea made from aniseed is great for infant catarrh and helps in digestion in adults. It is also made into lozenges to clear the chest.For your hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and even cold beverages, just a pinch or two of ground cassia bark will enhance their flavors and aromas! christym: If you don’t have any aniseed, you can use fennel seed or a few drops of anise extract. They will both work fine.