Referring to anise, we must immediately think of Lang Son, this is considered the land of anise, the people here consider anise as a treasure, and pride for domestic and international friends. So what is anise? How to use anise in cooking, let’s find out with Vlux right below!
I. What is anise?
Anise flower, also known as great anise, anise fruit is a part of anise tree, this tree is 6-10m tall, straight trunk, straight branches smooth, light green when young, then turns gray-brown, leaves Alternating growth, the leaf blade is whole and thick, hard but brittle.
Star anise
Anise flowers grow alone in the leaf axils, star-shaped with 6-8 small protruding petals, dark brown and hard when dry. Each petal of anise contains a glossy anise seed, which contains essential oils and more than 20 compounds beneficial for health.
This anise seed is also a sign to choose anise when buying, the more shiny the seed, the more essential oil the flower contains.
II. What is the effect of anise?
Star anise is often used to extract essential oils, used as a spice in cooking or as an ingredient in effective medicine: indigestion, digestive aid, analgesic effect, spasm reducer in the stomach. stomach and intestines, milk benefits, treatment of vomiting, back pain, stimulation of taste, regulation of blood, …
Distinguishing characteristics of star anise
The characteristics of anise are warm, hot, characteristic aroma and good deodorizing properties.
III. What is the effect of combining cinnamon and star anise?
Since ancient times, cinnamon and star anise are two familiar spices that are combined in cooking and used as medicine, these two spices are rarely used separately but are often paired into a pair. cinnamon.
Both cinnamon and star anise have warm properties and have a distinctive taste. It is thanks to this feature that cinnamon and anise are commonly used in cooking in winter and in some countries with cold climates such as China, and Japan, .. have the effect of helping the body warm up when having a cold or a cold. flu. Cinnamon and anise become a natural medicine that can effectively treat colds and flu, replacing Western medicine every time you have a cold, helping you to limit the side effects as well as being addicted to the drug.
Cinnamon stimulates brain activity as a tonic, helping to eliminate nervous tension as well as memory impairment. Anise has the effect of reducing joint pain, headaches and migraines will be repelled when you use a little essential oil made from anise and cinnamon,
In addition to its beneficial uses for health, star anise and cinnamon are also used in combination as spices in cuisine, since thousands of generations cinnamon and star anise have been used by our forefathers. They are used to support each other, blending aromas to create their unique flavours in traditional cuisine.
IV. How to use star anise powder as a seasoning?
Star anise powder is the finished product of small anise flowers, ground into a powder. Anise powder is very fine, dark yellow and has a characteristic aroma of anise. This is a spice used in the preparation of delicious dishes by the Vietnamese people, anise powder is a product of the mountains and forests, creating a distinct warmth for the Vietnamese people. This is a spice with a distinctive aroma that is hard to resist.
How to use star anise powder as a seasoning?
Certain dishes must have star anise to create a unique flavour such as pho, braised beef, stewed pork leg, chicken pot, chicken hot pot, breaking Lau, etc.
V. Use star anise to cook pho
For a long time, using anise to cook pho is an important secret to creating the unique flavour of pho, making pho a traditional and famous dish of Vietnamese people. We can eat pho in many countries around the world, but pho in Vietnam always has its unique flavour, especially thanks to the smell of star anise and cinnamon, etc. Pho has become a characteristic feature. In most Vietnamese cuisine, Ha Thanh people have a habit of having a delicious bowl of pho on the streets for breakfast.
For a long time, using anise to cook pho is an important secret to creating the unique flavour of pho, making pho a traditional and famous dish of Vietnamese people. We can eat pho in many countries around the world, but pho in Vietnam always has its unique flavour, especially thanks to the smell of star anise and cinnamon, etc. Pho has become a characteristic feature. In most Vietnamese cuisine, Ha Thanh people have a habit of having a delicious bowl of pho on the streets for breakfast.
Use anise flower to cook beef noodle soup
To cook a bowl of pho hot and right with the right flavour is an extremely important factor, requiring the cook to have an extremely sharp taste, combined with the ability to use spices skillfully. practice, and know the flavour characteristics of each spice when combined.
Based on the characteristics of an anise flower such as spicy, hot, and warm aroma, effective in eliminating fishy, arousing odour, that is also the reason why star anise is used to cook pho thanks to its special flavour. characteristic of anise, but the pho broth becomes richer and more special.
1. Prepare ingredients
Beef bone 2kg
Beef 500g
5 petal anise
Cardamom 3 fruits
Cinnamon 1 piece
Purple onion 4 pieces
Ginger 1 piece
Dried worm fish 6
Pho 1kg
Onions, spring onions, basil
2. How to use anise flower to cook delicious pho
Wash the beef bones with salt and a little alcohol to remove the smell, drain, and then put the beef bones in the oven for 10 minutes to eliminate the smell.
Then put the beef bones in the pot, pour water on the surface of the bones, and stew for at least 2 hours to make the sweet. While waiting for the beef bone stew, we can put the beef to a boil and then cut the beef into thin slices.
Next, we will bake the ginger, cardamom, anise seed and cinnamon, then rinse with clean water, then put all the grilled ingredients and the dried worm into the beef bone pot, stew at least. for another hour, then season to taste.
Finally, add thinly sliced onions, scallions, onions, and basil for garnish, now fold the star anise and cinnamon in the pot of stew.
Finished beef noodle bowl
Blanch the pho noodles in boiling water, then put the pho noodles in a bowl, the beef is arranged on top, then the hot water lemon is added, sprinkled with onions, basil, and scallions, you can sit and enjoy the delicious bowls of pho. You cook it yourself.
The aroma of anise and cinnamon from the broth makes the bowl of pho so special, they have a slightly spicy, passionate flavour and the typical flavour of anise.
BECAUSE. Pork rolls with chilli sauce, star anise
1. Ingredients to be prepared
Pork sausage
Garlic, ginger, chilli, red onion, paprika
Anise petals
White wine
2. How to make pork rolls with chilli sauce, star anise
Wash the pork leg, then cut it into bite-sized pieces, blanch the pork leg for 3 minutes with boiling water, smashed purple onion and ginger, and a little white wine to remove the smell.
Put the pan on the stove, and add 3 tablespoons of cooking oil, when the oil is hot, add garlic, minced ginger, a little chilli powder, and 3-star anise to fry, then fry the pork leg until golden brown.
Next, we season with a little salt, sweet foam, ground pepper, sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar, add water to cover the pork leg, cover and stew for 20 minutes to soften the pork leg and absorb the spices.
Pork rolls with chilli sauce, star anise
When the water has been reduced by half, it is also the time when the pork leg is cooked and soft, we fold it into a plate and enjoy. Soft pork leg with the characteristic smell of anise, ginger, and mildly spicy chilli, when eaten with white rice, will be very suitable.
Have you used star anise as a spice in your family’s dishes? If not, this is an opportunity for you to show off your kitchen skills with organic herbs and spices, with natural aromas to make the dish more attractive to awaken your taste buds when enjoying it!
