Homemade Chilli Oil

🥘 Ingredients

• neutral-tasting oil 1 cup
• star anise 4
• cinnamon stick 1
• bay leaves 2
• Sichuan peppercorns 3 Tbsp
• cardamom pods 8
• Asian chilli powder ½ cup
• sea salt 2 tsp

1. 1

   Place the neutral-tasting oil (e.g., peanut, rice bran, vegetable or canola) in a saucepan over low heat.
2. 2

   In a separate small frying pan , toast the star anise , cinnamon stick , bay leaves , Sichuan peppercorns and cardamom pods over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke.
3. 3

   Then add the spices to the warm oil. Turn the heat under the oil up to medium and wait for the spices to gently sizzle. Cook at a gentle sizzle for 5 minutes .
4. 4

   Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes .
5. 5

   Place the Asian chilli powder and sea salt in a heat-proof jar or bowl .
6. 6

   Strain the oil over the chilli salt mixture. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick and star anise back into the oil mixture and gently stir.
7. 7

   Allow to cool before storing in an airtight jar. Use within a year.