Chinese five-spice powder is a constant ingredient in Chitalian cooking as it intensifies the flavors of the  dish that is being cooked, especially when the meat in the dish simmers on the stove for long hours. 

This particular spice powder is commonly a mixture of star anise, cloves and cinnamon with a dash of Schezuan pepper, all blended together with ground fennel seeds.  But more often than not, the sweet flavors of star anise is the dominant spice found in the five spice powder.  It is excellent to use it when marinading pork and duck, for instance and it can even be used to season stir-fried dishes. 

Here is a version of the Chinese five-spice powder that can make at home.

Ingredients

1 ½ Tablespoon star anise
2 ½ Teaspoon Schezuan pepper
2 ½ Teaspoon fennel seeds
1 ½ Teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ Teaspoon cloves