Ingredient quest question.
-
I’ve been wanting to get some star anies for the rare recipe, that needs a little bit of it. But I found I couldn’t buy a small amount. So now I have a pint of it. Which means I have more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale.
I figured I might try to make some kind of beverage and maybe some soft candy. Any tested recipes you can recommend?
Also, the store had these $0.99 cans of cooked dried peas. Ingredients are dried peas, water and iodized salt. I’m not quite sure what to expect when I open this can. I’m picturing somebody forgot to blend the split peas soup. Do you have any ideas on how to use this?
Whole star anise keeps for a while. I’ve had the same batch for about five years now and it’s still incredibly potent. So certainly, continue with learning how to use it, but don’t stress about going through all of it in a short period of time.
-
I’ve been wanting to get some star anies for the rare recipe, that needs a little bit of it. But I found I couldn’t buy a small amount. So now I have a pint of it. Which means I have more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale.
I figured I might try to make some kind of beverage and maybe some soft candy. Any tested recipes you can recommend?
Also, the store had these $0.99 cans of cooked dried peas. Ingredients are dried peas, water and iodized salt. I’m not quite sure what to expect when I open this can. I’m picturing somebody forgot to blend the split peas soup. Do you have any ideas on how to use this?
I just made a giant jar of chili crunch mostly adhering to this recipe. I made mine mild and used four entire star anise pods. (btw chili crunch is pretty much the best condiment you’ll ever have in your life, and oh my god you have a lot of star anise)
-
Dang, three whole stars in a cup. That’s some strong-ass tea. When I make broth, I usually go for half a star for the whole pot.
Your hyphenation is clutch
-
I’ve been wanting to get some star anies for the rare recipe, that needs a little bit of it. But I found I couldn’t buy a small amount. So now I have a pint of it. Which means I have more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale.
I figured I might try to make some kind of beverage and maybe some soft candy. Any tested recipes you can recommend?
Also, the store had these $0.99 cans of cooked dried peas. Ingredients are dried peas, water and iodized salt. I’m not quite sure what to expect when I open this can. I’m picturing somebody forgot to blend the split peas soup. Do you have any ideas on how to use this?
You could mull some apple cider in the crock pot with cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, nutmeg, and a sliced orange. Great on its own or add some rum!
Edit: forgot to mention allspice and cardamom!
-
I just made a giant jar of chili crunch mostly adhering to this recipe. I made mine mild and used four entire star anise pods. (btw chili crunch is pretty much the best condiment you’ll ever have in your life, and oh my god you have a lot of star anise)
I love this stuff. We make huge batches to keep all year. Haven’t used the serious eats recipe
-
I’ve been wanting to get some star anies for the rare recipe, that needs a little bit of it. But I found I couldn’t buy a small amount. So now I have a pint of it. Which means I have more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale.
I figured I might try to make some kind of beverage and maybe some soft candy. Any tested recipes you can recommend?
Also, the store had these $0.99 cans of cooked dried peas. Ingredients are dried peas, water and iodized salt. I’m not quite sure what to expect when I open this can. I’m picturing somebody forgot to blend the split peas soup. Do you have any ideas on how to use this?
Star Anise keeps a while so you can keep them as long as you keep them whole.
I made my own star anise tincture with the extras I have. Just fill a jar and top with an alcohol (I use grain alcohol) and let sit for 4-6 weeks and decant the liquor. It’s delicious to add to cocktails
-
Holy crap! I did not know star anise came in pints! How much did that set you back?
My usual source is $8.29 an ounce, I can’t imagine a pint!
4 oz bag for $16.79, so I guess a pint would be around $67.16?
Good news, if they go stale, they’re still valuable in crafting.
DIY Star Anise Wreath - Francois et Moi
How to create a festive star anise wreath using a metal clothes hanger, hot glue, and whole star anise spice. Hint: it's easy and fast to make!
Francois et Moi (francoisetmoi.com)
I did not know star anise came in pints!
I don’t usually use star anise — rather, I use fennel, which is technically not anise, but a closely-related plant. All three have the chemical that produces that flavor, though.
You can definitely get fennel in bulk.
checks Amazon
1 lb bag of star anise:
Amazon.com : STAR ANISE WHOLE 1 LB | Seeds Pods ~ All Natural | Vegan | Gluten Friendly | NON-GMO | Whole Chinese Anise Star Pods Sun Dried Spice, Anis Estrella/Badian Khatai/ Illicium Verum, Widely Used for Baking, Cooking, and Tea : Grocery & Gourmet Food
Amazon.com : STAR ANISE WHOLE 1 LB | Seeds Pods ~ All Natural | Vegan | Gluten Friendly | NON-GMO | Whole Chinese Anise Star Pods Sun Dried Spice, Anis Estrella/Badian Khatai/ Illicium Verum, Widely Used for Baking, Cooking, and Tea : Grocery & Gourmet Food
(www.amazon.com)
$0.87 / ounce
5 lb container of anise:
$0.52 / ounce
5 lb container of fennel:
$0.37 / ounce
I also don’t really need to go buying fennel; in California, the larger problem is trying to get rid of fennel, where it’s quite invasive and is everywhere.
-
Holy crap! I did not know star anise came in pints! How much did that set you back?
My usual source is $8.29 an ounce, I can’t imagine a pint!
4 oz bag for $16.79, so I guess a pint would be around $67.16?
Good news, if they go stale, they’re still valuable in crafting.
DIY Star Anise Wreath - Francois et Moi
How to create a festive star anise wreath using a metal clothes hanger, hot glue, and whole star anise spice. Hint: it's easy and fast to make!
Francois et Moi (francoisetmoi.com)
I got it at the Super G Mart. It came in a Chinese printed plastic bag and I moved it to a pint for long term storage. Cost was $5. They had lots of other brands and size packages available but this was the least expensive.
Find your local international markets and spend a whole lot less on spices.
-
You can make your own Chinese Five Spice, I highly recommend it! You probably have all the ingredients already. Store in a glass and a cool, dry and dark place and it will last long.
Those peas are my grandparents’ favorite brand of peas. They’re not mushy but I add them last so they’re not crushed by utensils. I’ve used them in fried rice before and my family makes Chicken Guisantes with those peas. It must be that brand or else…
EDIT: Wait, what?!? 99¢!?! You’re so lucky! I have to make a special trip to some Asian supermarket or H-Mart to get those and they’re not 99¢, lol! Enjoy!
These came from the Super G Mart. A close relative of H-Mart. I saw them and knew that for 99¢ I wasn’t going to be disappointed.
I was thinking about adding them to fried rice. Thanks for the heads up about when to add them.
-
Whole star anise keeps for a while. I’ve had the same batch for about five years now and it’s still incredibly potent. So certainly, continue with learning how to use it, but don’t stress about going through all of it in a short period of time.
I know it lasts longer than most things but I like to try to use whole slices within two years. And given how little is needed for any recipe it seems unlikely I’ll use it up.
-
Whole star anise keeps for a while. I’ve had the same batch for about five years now and it’s still incredibly potent. So certainly, continue with learning how to use it, but don’t stress about going through all of it in a short period of time.
Yeah dried spices are one of the things that take the longest to go “bad” right?
-
I’ve been wanting to get some star anies for the rare recipe, that needs a little bit of it. But I found I couldn’t buy a small amount. So now I have a pint of it. Which means I have more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale.
I figured I might try to make some kind of beverage and maybe some soft candy. Any tested recipes you can recommend?
Also, the store had these $0.99 cans of cooked dried peas. Ingredients are dried peas, water and iodized salt. I’m not quite sure what to expect when I open this can. I’m picturing somebody forgot to blend the split peas soup. Do you have any ideas on how to use this?
The ramen eggs I make use a few star anise for the marinade!
-
I just made a giant jar of chili crunch mostly adhering to this recipe. I made mine mild and used four entire star anise pods. (btw chili crunch is pretty much the best condiment you’ll ever have in your life, and oh my god you have a lot of star anise)
Chili crisp is an amazing ingredient. I use it for fried Asian food dips and sometimes as a finishing sauce when I’m sauteing vegetables or on something like roasted brussel sprouts.
But I haven’t made it myself yet.
-
That sounds amazing. Now I need to find molds and a place for them to dry that is safe from cat hair.
There is no place safe from cat hair. The cats know. The cats find!
-
I love this stuff. We make huge batches to keep all year. Haven’t used the serious eats recipe
I ground up dried lobster and porcini mushrooms into powder and used mostly pasilla, guajillo, and a few chipotle dried peppers. Imo it’s way better than store bought. Would love to know your recipe!
-
I’ve been wanting to get some star anies for the rare recipe, that needs a little bit of it. But I found I couldn’t buy a small amount. So now I have a pint of it. Which means I have more than I can use in a reasonable amount of time before it goes stale.
I figured I might try to make some kind of beverage and maybe some soft candy. Any tested recipes you can recommend?
Also, the store had these $0.99 cans of cooked dried peas. Ingredients are dried peas, water and iodized salt. I’m not quite sure what to expect when I open this can. I’m picturing somebody forgot to blend the split peas soup. Do you have any ideas on how to use this?
Grind up one or two and add it to any bird brine for a nice warming flavor that balances with any bright notes
-
I ground up dried lobster and porcini mushrooms into powder and used mostly pasilla, guajillo, and a few chipotle dried peppers. Imo it’s way better than store bought. Would love to know your recipe!
We use this one from The Woks of Life. Which does have any lobster or mushrooms. Our last batch used a hotter chili pepper and was almost too spicy. That’s kind of how it goes when you can’t read the labels on the dried peppers. Need to take better notes of branda
-
We use this one from The Woks of Life. Which does have any lobster or mushrooms. Our last batch used a hotter chili pepper and was almost too spicy. That’s kind of how it goes when you can’t read the labels on the dried peppers. Need to take better notes of branda
*lobster mushrooms, please don’t think I put actual lobster in there, I’m not made of money
I’m lucky to live near a specialty market that sells a variety of dried mushrooms and peppers in bulk so you only have to buy what you need, but I can’t overstate how much mushroom powder enhances the flavor. Thanks for the recipe share!!
-
*lobster mushrooms, please don’t think I put actual lobster in there, I’m not made of money
I’m lucky to live near a specialty market that sells a variety of dried mushrooms and peppers in bulk so you only have to buy what you need, but I can’t overstate how much mushroom powder enhances the flavor. Thanks for the recipe share!!
I’m on a search for dried mushrooms at the two Asian grocery stores by my house. I’ve never had them but love mushrooms. Good idea to just have them ready
-
There is no place safe from cat hair. The cats know. The cats find!
I’m thinking about making a clean room out of a retired refrigerator. Drop a humidifier, dehumidifier and a Johnson unit on it and use it for making cheese, curing meats and, now making cookies.
