Perfect Food Pairings: Anise
- Classical pairings Anise and citrus fruits. ...
- Original pairings Anise and goat’s cheese. ...
- Top chefs’ pairings In the picture above: Les canistrelli à l'anis | Seared Salmon with Anise-Cucumber Salad ...
- Spirit Pairings Anise-based dishes work very well when harmoniously paired with any drink or cocktail containing this ingredient. ...
What foods go well with star anise?
Like other herbs and spices with the licorice note, star anise goes particularly well with high-fat meats including pork as well as goose, and duck. Chinese five spice powder — in which star anise plays a starring role — is often used in dishes containing these meats.
What is star anise used for in Chinese cooking?
Chinese poached chicken with star anise, from Food & Wine magazine, uses an aromatic broth spiced with star anise, ginger, cinnamon and scallions. Steamy Kitchen gives step-by-step instructions for making a beef pho recipe from Into the Vietnamese Kitchen.
What does star anise taste like?
Like other herbs and spices with the licorice note, star anise goes particularly well with high-fat meats including pork as well as goose, and duck. Chinese five spice powder — in which star anise plays a starring role — is often used in dishes containing these meats. Its flavor cuts through their fattiness.
What goes well with anise anise Mint?
Anise and mint. The aromatic and balsamic notes of mint are strengthened by the sweetness of anise. Anise and fig, coconut or melon are all very successful pairings. They can be mixed in smoothies, ice-creams and desserts, in jellies or mousses.
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What flavors go well with anise?
It pairs well with seafood, meat, fruit, and chocolate. Anise blends well with other spices and herbs like caraway, clove, mace, pink pepperberries, and tarragon.
What flavor is star anise?
Star anise has a mild and fragrant licorice flavor.
What dishes can you use anise in?
The whole pods can flavor soups, like pho, stews, and braises, but they do not soften when cooked, so they cannot be eaten. They can also be used in sweeter applications, like chai or mulled wine. Ground star anise is one of the ingredients in Chinese five-spice powder.
What cuisine is star anise used in?
Culinary Uses of Star Anise Star anise is used similarly to bay leaves in Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. When used whole, star anise pods are simmered in soups, stews, and braises.
Does star anise raise blood pressure?
Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic practices utilized star anise to improve blood circulation while lowering overall pressure.
Does star anise make you sleepy?
Star anise can also be used as for its sedating properties to ensure a good sleep. The oil of star anise is useful in providing relief from rheumatism and lower back pain.
What is star anise good for?
The oil produced from star anise contains thymol, terpineol and anethole, which is used for treating cough and flu. Anise also helps improve digestion, alleviate cramps and reduce nausea. Consuming star anise tea after meals helps treat digestive ailments such as bloating, gas, indigestion and constipation.
Is there a difference between anise and star anise?
Both seasonings contain anethole, the licorice flavoring found in minor amounts in other plants such as fennel and caraway. The major culinary difference between anise and star anise is that anise seed is potent, with an almost spicy flavor, while star anise is subtly milder.
How do you serve anise?
It has a fresh, aromatic anise flavor, and it can be eaten raw, sautéed, roasted, or even added to soups and sauces. If you've never worked with it before, this funky-looking veggie might be intimidating from the outside, but don't let it scare you. Once you know how to approach it, it's easy to work with.
Is star anise good for weight loss?
Yes, many types of nutrients are found in star anise. In these, elements like vitamin C, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial help in weight loss as well as provide other health benefits to the body.
What is star anise called in English?
Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China. A spice commonly called star anise, staranise, star anise seed, star aniseed, star of anise, Chinese star anise, or badian that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarps of the fruit of I.
Does star anise go in Curry?
This potato curry, flavoured with star anise and other spices, is one of my favourite curries of all time. I love to cook this with many rice dishes and at times with Indian style breads as well. The star anise when fried in oil with all the other spices, releases its special aroma and flavour into the dish.
What spice can replace star anise?
Star anise is one of the main ingredients in Chinese five spice powder, which also includes cinnamon, fennel, pepper and cloves. Use this substitution ratio: For 1 whole star anise, use ½ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder.
What is star anise good for?
It has anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may fight stomach ulcers, keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce symptoms of depression and menopause. Combined with a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, anise seed could improve several aspects of your health.
What does anise taste like?
They look very similar to fennel seeds, although they are significantly smaller. The seeds can be used whole, or they can be ground into a powder. They have a sweet, fragrant aroma with a strong, licorice-like taste. It's that strong flavor that makes anise a love-it-or-hate-it kind of spice.
What is difference between anise and star anise?
Origin: Anise seed comes from the Mediterranean and Southwestern parts of Asia, while star anise comes from China and Southeast Asia. Plant Type: While anise seed comes from a flowering, herbaceous plant, star anise comes from a tree. Star Anise is the fruit of that plant, while anise seeds are a part of the fruit.
What do you do with star anise?
But star anise isn’t just the prettiest spice in the rack; its flower-shaped pods add essential flavoring to popular dishes from several cultures.
Where does star anise come from?
Star anise is the seed pod from an evergreen tree, Illicium verum, that grows in China. It’s unrelated to regular anise, though they share a similar flavor. Star anise one of the five spices in Chinese five-spice blends, along with cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and ground fennel seeds.
What spice is used in Chinese poached chicken?
The options are wide open, but there are a few classic combinations that are a good place to start. Chinese poached chicken with star anise, from Food & Wine magazine, uses an aromatic broth spiced with star anise, ginger, cinnamon and scallions.
What is the ingredient in Vietnamese pho?
Beyond the kitchen, it’s also a vital component of the influenza-fighting drug Tamiflu—although scientists have figured out a way to manufacture its active ingredient, shikimic acid, in recent years.
Can you use licorice in desserts?
Desserts are also a natural place to use the licorice-flavored spice, and it works especially well with traditional fall and winter recipes. It adds another dimension to ginger cookies, like these triple ginger ones spiked with lemon, from 101 Cookbooks.
What spices are similar to star anise?
It pairs well with coriander, cinnamon, cardamom and clove. In cooking, star anise can be used whole or as a powder.
What is star anise tea?
In traditional Chinese and folk medicine practices, star anise is steeped in water to make a tea used to treat respiratory infections, nausea, constipation and other digestive issues.
Why is star anise called star anise?
Because of similarities in their flavor and names, star anise is often confused with anise , though the two spices are unrelated. Star anise is famed not only for its distinct flavor and culinary applications ...
What is the most important attribute of star anise?
One of the most popular pharmacologically relevant attributes of star anise is its shikimic acid content.
What is the purpose of star anise?
Star anise is a rich source of the flavonoid anethole. This compound is responsible for the spice’s distinct flavor and offers potent antifungal benefits. Some agricultural research has found that trans -anethole derived from star anise may inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi in certain edible crops ( 9.
Why is star anise so popular?
Its rise in popularity is largely driven by its antimicrobial properties and pharmacological potential.
What is the most valuable component of star anise?
The most valuable component of star anise may lie within its dense supply of flavonoids and polyphenols. These may primarily be responsible for the spice’s broad applications and medicinal benefits ( 2 ). Some of the major health-promoting compounds found in star anise include ( 2, 3. Trusted Source.
Add some extra spice this holiday season with a few of our best star anise recipes
Add some extra spice this holiday season with a few of our best star anise recipes.
Mulled Wine
This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don't omit this essential step. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grandma's Christmas Spice Cutouts
My great-grandmother made these, and the tradition was passed down in the family—without a written recipe! My mother would always start them the day after Thanksgiving, which was exciting for us kids, as we knew Christmas wasn’t far off.
Slow-Cooker Pear Butter
This is a tasty spread for toast, muffins, biscuits or any of your favorite breads. It is easy to make and has a rich pear flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise and lemon. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
This slow-cooker soup is a semi-homemade version that coaxes all the flavor out of a rotisserie chicken. The prep work for this can be done the day before so you can toss it into the slow cooker with ease. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Warm Spiced Chai
My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sweet & Spicy Pickled Red Seedless Grapes
Most people don't think about grapes when creating a canned pickle recipe. The pickling liquid for these grapes includes red wine, vinegar, and common pickling spices like coriander, mustard seeds and hot pepper; it also contains warm spices like cinnamon and star anise along with brown sugar.
What is the flavor of star anise?
Each point contains a small, shiny seed. The flavor, which is contained in both the seeds and the star itself, is very sweet and licorice-like, similar to aniseed (though the plants are not related). In China, which has used it for centuries, star anise is a key ingredient in five-spice powder (with cloves, cinnamon, fennel and Sichuan peppercorns).
Where does star anise come from?
Star anise is the fruit — yes, fruit — of an evergreen tree native to southern China (where most of it still is produced). When dried, that fruit resembles a 1-inch, rust-colored star, usually with six to eight points. Each point contains a small, shiny seed. The flavor, which is contained in both the seeds and the star itself, ...
How to use bananas in apple crisp?
• Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet. Slice a banana lengthwise down the center. Add a teaspoon of the sugar to the skillet, then add the bananas and fry on both sides for several minutes, or until lightly browned. Eat on the banana slices on their own, or use as topping for ice cream or pancakes. ...
How long to cook cinnamon star anise?
Combine all ingredients in an electric spice grinder or blender. Grind until reduced to a fine powder, about 1 to 2 minutes. Use as directed below. • Slather butter over slices of bread, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-star anise sugar. Toast under a broiler or in a toaster oven until bubbly and lightly browned.
What is the difference between Polenta and Mirin?
Polenta is a traditional starch in Italian cooking, an alternative to pasta, rice and potatoes that pairs deliciously well with robust sauces and meats. Off the Beaten Aisle: Farro. Mirin — Off the Beaten Aisle. Mirin is exclusively a cooking wine. The clear, viscous liquid has a clean yet intensely sweet-salty flavor.
Is star anise good for meat?
And that’s why it’s mostly been relegated to the backwaters of spice cabinets in the U.S. What most people don’t realize is that star anise actually is a de liciously potent spice that can do amazing things for your cooking, especially for meat.
Can you use star anise whole?
Star anise can be used whole or ground. When whole, it usually is added to liquids destined for a slow simmer or braise. It usually is removed and discarded from the dish before serving. Ground star anise is more versatile. It’s also more potent and should be added with care.
What is star anise used for?
Overview. Star anise is an herb. The fruit, seed, and oil are used to make medicine. People use star anise for lung infections, gas, colic in babies, and many other uses, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. The star anise used as medicine is Chinese star anise. However, some Chinese star anise tea products have been ...
Is star anise a spice?
In foods and beverages, star anise is considered a culinary spice; both the seed and oil are used as flavoring. In manufacturing, the oil is used as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and toothpaste, and to mask undesirable odors in drug products.
Can star anise tea cause seizures?
However, some infants given star anise tea have had irritability, vomiting, and seizures. These symptoms are probably from contamination with toxic Japanese star anise. When star anise is contaminated with the poisonous Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), it can cause serious side effects in infants. It's too hard to make sure the product you ...
Is star anise safe for pregnant women?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if star anise is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Children: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use star anise in infants. Pure Chinese star anise is commonly used in infants and has a history of safe use.
Is star anise poisonous?
Japanese star anise is poisonous and looks identical to Chinese star anise. When applied to the skin: There isn;t enough reliable information to know if star anise is safe to use. Some chemicals in star anise can cause skin problems including swelling, scaling, and blisters. When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know ...
Does star anise help with the flu?
Star anise seeds contain ingredients that might have activity against bacteria, yeast, and fungi. People try star anise for treating flu because it is a good source of shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacture of oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ), a flu treatment. However, there isn't any research showing that star anise has any activity ...
Is star anise tea safe for children?
Unless it can be verified that star anise tea does not contain Japanese star anise, the tea should be avoided in infants. There isn't enough reliable information to know if star anise is safe in older children.
How to replace star anise in a recipe?
To replace star anise in a recipe, you can use common anise or Chinese five-spice powder. For each star anise called for in the recipe, use 3/4 teaspoon crushed anise seeds or 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder. Fennel seeds can also be used but won't have as strong of a licorice taste.
What is the flavor of star anise?
Star anise has a very strong, distinct flavor that is warm, sweet, and spicy, similar to licorice, fennel seed, clove, and anise seed, of course. Although the flavor of star anise is generally thought of as sweet, it is commonly used in savory dishes; it pairs well with citrus, onions, poultry, beef, cinnamon, nutmeg, ...
What Is Star Anise?
It is grown in China, Indo-China, and Japan and sometimes referred to as Chinese star anise. Star anise is a pillar ingredient in Chinese cooking; it is one of the main flavors in Chinese five-spice powder and is also used to make tea and season roast duck and other meats. In Vietnamese cuisine, star anise is part of the well-known soup, pho. In Western cultures, it is more often used to flavor liqueurs, such as absinthe, sambuca, and pastis, as well as baked goods like cookies and cakes.
What is the difference between star anise and fennel?
The seeds also differ in appearance; star anise seeds are larger and a dark reddish-brown color while anise seeds are smaller and look more like fennel seeds. It is also important not to confuse star anise with the Japanese star anise, Illicium anistatum, which is highly toxic and must not be consumed. 1 It is often burned as incense.
How long does star anise last?
Whole star anise will remain fresh and vibrantly flavored for about one year, whereas the ground spice will begin to lose flavor after about six months.
How many points does star anise have?
The star anise pod, which is shaped like a star (hence its name), has an average of eight points, each containing a single pea-sized seed. Both the seeds and the pod are used in cooking and contain the sweet, potent anise flavor. Star anise is sold whole and ground.
Is star anise powder whole or ground?
Whole vs. Ground. Whole and ground star anise are used differently in cooking. The whole pods are added to braised dishes, soups, and stews to infuse flavor and are removed at the end of cooking. Ground star anise powder is used similarly to other ground spices.
Authentic Pho
The key to the Vietnamese noodle soup pho is in the broth. Beef bones, onions, star anise, ginger, and fish sauce get simmered for 6 to 10 hours to create a rich and flavorful base for this hearty and comforting soup.
Beef Pho
South Vietnamese-style pho. A comforting, richly-seasoned beef broth is ladled over rice noodles and thinly sliced beef.
Chinese Tea Leaf Eggs
One of my favorite dishes when I head back home; it combines hard-boiled eggs with the subtle flavor of anise and the deep brown hues of black tea and soy. The cracked patterns from the broken shells make these quite attractive! I eat these sliced in quarters and chilled as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. Recipe courtesy of Mom.
Filipino Ribs
Spareribs glazed with the sweet, tangy taste of the Philippines. One of the honey coating ingredients, star anise, is native to China; it is a star-shaped, dark brown pod that contains a pea-sized seed in each of its eight segments. Star anise is available at all Asian markets as well as many general grocery stores.
Quick Pickled Radishes
Pickled radishes add a nice flavor to so many things, including salads, noodle bowls, tacos, and brisket sandwiches. They're even great on their own! They're easily customizable with different spices and seasonings. These are ready in minutes, but the flavor only gets better overnight. They will turn a lovely shade of pink the longer they sit.
Chef John's Honey-Glazed Ham
A great holiday ham glaze needs to have three things: wonderful flavor, gorgeous, shiny appearance, and a crispy, crackling crust you can hear across the room. I'm happy to report this easy-to-make glaze has all those things in abundance.
Cabbage Borscht Mennonite Soup
This is my Omas recipe that she got from her mom, which she took with her when she fled Russia during the fall of the Czar. It's a real Mennonite soup.
What are some good recipes for anise?
To confer an intense flavour to one of the most successful Mediterranean winter salads, prepare a dressing by blending extra virgin olive oil, the green tufts of fennel, orange juice, salt and anise seeds. You can add a few crushed anise seeds to any citrus-based dressing or drink. Anise and pineapple. Anethole enhances the sweetness and the vanilla notes of pineapple; try them together on a pineapple carpaccio or blended together in a sauce for accompanying a fish fillet. Anise and mint. The aromatic and balsamic notes of mint are strengthened by the sweetness of anise. Anise and fig, coconut or melon are all very successful pairings. They can be mixed in smoothies, ice-creams and desserts, in jellies or mousses. Anise and carrot. One of the best pairings, which is probably not one of the most obvious. The sweetness of carrots happily marries that of anise seeds or star anise. Anise and coffee. Many anise-based liqueurs are served neat with a roasted coffee bean added to the glass.
What is the best cheese to pair with anise?
Anise and goat’s cheese. One of the most successful pairings. Soft goat’s cheese aromatized with oil that has been flavoured in its turn with fennel and liquorice, or combined with preserves containing anise seeds, enhances the flavour of ewe’s milk and mitigates its somewhat “wild” taste. Anise and seafood.
What is the purpose of anise seeds in bread?
Chef Francesco Apreda at the Hassler in Rome uses anise seeds to aromatise his bread coating which gives his battered salt cod a pungent freshness.
What is anise used for?
It is used to aromatize alcoholic drinks, cakes and pastries and is also employed in food maturing processes and in oral hygiene products. Here we have a number of delicious anise food pairings, with tips on how to combine the flavour of its seeds with other ingredients in the preparation of some amazing dishes.
What to do with crushed anise seeds?
Try adding crushed anise seeds when making up a mayonnaise to accompany your fish dishes. Anise and lamb. The sweetness of lamb makes a perfect match for anethole. A lamb couscous can be turned into a memorable dish by adding anise seeds to the meat marinade.
Where does anise come from?
Anise is a plant whose seeds and flowers are both widely used for cooking, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It has a sweet flavour, similar to that of fennel seeds with a slight aftertaste of mint and liquorice. In fact, it belongs to the same aromatic plant group as these products, ...
What are some good pairings with anethole?
Anethole enhances the sweetness and the vanilla notes of pineapple; try them together on a pineapple carpaccio or blended together in a sauce for accompanying a fish fillet. Anise and mint. The aromatic and balsamic notes of mint are strengthened by the sweetness of anise. Anise and fig, coconut or melon are all very successful pairings.
What are Some Ways I Can Cook with Star Anise?
You can use star anise with both sweet and savory dishes. I love to use star anise sparingly when I bake- it’s a great way to liven up dishes and give them a spicy, sweet kick.
What is the flavor of star anise?
In Chinese cuisine, star anise is often used in savory dishes, despite its sweet taste. It is especially often used with meats and gives these dishes a sweet and somewhat peppery flavor.
What is star anise?
Star anise is one of the deepest and most complex spices that is readily available at supermarkets. The spice has an incredible range of notes and flavors, which can be drawn out and intensified depending on how you cook or work with the spice.
How long does star anise last?
One of the advantages of buying whole star anise is that it lasts for a very long time. If you store it properly, it can last for years. You can break off pods or petals when you need to use them. Whether you buy whole or ground star anise, make sure you store the star anise in an airtight container.
How long should I use star anise?
You should try to use the spice within a year of purchasing it, if possible. If your star anise has lost some of its potency, you might be able to get a stronger taste out of it by toasting it before you cook with it. I personally prefer to buy more, as star anise is a relatively inexpensive spice.
Where does star anise come from?
In fact, star anise is actually the dried fruit of a tree that is native to China.
How to test for freshness of star anise?
You can test both ground and whole star anise for freshness by smelling it. Star anise should smell quite potent. If you find star anise that doesn’t smell like much, it might not be worth purchasing.
