Star Anise

This star-shaped, licorice-flavored spice is the dried pod and seeds of the anise bush. It is an ingredient in five-spice powder and is used in braised dishes and marinades. You can make an anise beef stew by adding a little more anise to the Chinese Beef Stew recipe, or prepare an anise-flavored duck by adding anise to the smoking ingredients for Smoked Tea Duck. Its flavor is strong and, again, a little goes a long way. Star anise is widely available. It comes in cellophane or plastic packages and keeps indefinitely.