Welcome Back to Spice Lab: Bold Flavours Ahead!
Your gateway to fresh flavours made from scratch is here! Its week 2/5 of guiding you through creating your own spice blends with ease using the Cuisinart Spice Grinder. Plus, we’ll pair each blend with a delicious recipe to showcase just how versatile and rewarding homemade cooking can be.
From grinding whole spices to crafting unforgettable dishes, Spice Lab is all about showing how homemade truly is better - with a little help from Cuisinart. Let’s elevate your cooking, one spice at a time!
Week 2
Chinese Five Spice
We’re diving into the bold and aromatic world of Chinese Five Spice - This blend is perfect for adding sweet, spicy, and deeply aromatic notes to your favourite dishes. Whether you’re transforming stir-fries, glazing pork belly, or seasoning crispy chicken wings, this versatile blend will elevate your cooking game.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp star anise
- 1 tbsp cloves
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions:
- Toast the Spices: Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Toast star anise, fennel seeds, cloves, Sichuan peppercorns, and the cinnamon stick for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Grind the Blend: Allow the spices to cool slightly, then grind them to a fine powder using the Cuisinart Spice Grinder.
- Store & Use: Keep your blend in an airtight container and enjoy fresh flavours every time!
Pro Tip: Homemade Five Spice Blend tastes fresher and more vibrant than store-bought varieties. Give it a try - you’ll notice the difference!
Dish of the Week
Five Spice Prawns with Garlic and Spring Onions
There's no better way to showcase your homemade spice blend than with these quick and flavourful prawns, which pair beautifully with rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 300g raw prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (plus extra for finishing)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Homemade Chinese Five Spice
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced (divided: white and green parts)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Prawns: Pat the prawns dry with a paper towel and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and the white parts of the spring onion. Sauté until softened and golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Five Spice: Sprinkle in 1 tsp of Chinese Five Spice and stir into the onions and garlic. Let the spice toast for 30 seconds to deepen the flavour.
- Cook the Prawns: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the prawns. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until they begin to turn pink.
- Finish & Serve: Drizzle with a little extra sesame oil and garnish with the green parts of the spring onions. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables.
Why You’ll Love It:
This dish combines the warm, fragrant notes of Chinese Five Spice with the natural sweetness of prawns, creating a meal that’s both simple and satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or an impressive addition to your weekend menu!
Want to create bold spice blends effortlessly?
Get the Cuisinart Spice Grinder for just £40 (a special discounted price!) with the code SPICELAB. Perfect for grinding everything from star anise to Sichuan peppercorns, it’s a must-have for your kitchen!
Don’t wait—this offer is only available for a limited time!
Stay Tuned for Next Week’s Blend!
Next week, we’re turning up the heat with a smoky, fiery blend that’s perfect for BBQs, marinades, and spicy chicken.
Clue: It’s a globe-trotting mix that brings the flavours of Portugal and South Africa straight to your plate. Can you guess it?