makes about ¼ cup
Five-spice powder from the supermarket can (depending on its age) look and taste just like brown powder. And that’s a shame because when it’s freshly made, it adds the most wonderful, warm whack of spice to a recipe. Make a big batch and keep it handy for all kinds of things: the plum sauce here, the spring onion pancakes, or as a rub and marinade for all kinds of meats, stir-fries or roasted eggplant (aubergine). It also makes a lovely gift.
Combine all the ingredients in a dry frying pan and toast over medium heat for a few minutes or until the spices are aromatic and the seeds are beginning to pop.
Transfer the mixture to a high-powered blender, coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle and whizz or bash until you have a fine powder (or as fine as possible).