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Sichuan Spice Mix
Spice mixes are an easy to make but delicious gift for the foodie in your life.
Jonathan Louis Ng
November 28, 2024
I embraced the gift-giving side of Christmas from a young age. I started making plans and putting aside a bit of my allowance a few months in advance to make sure I had saved up enough. The smiles and words of appreciation were the rewards I looked forward to (although I never said no to an actual gift either).
At first, it was only for family, but as I got older and could afford more, the list of recipients grew and the gifts became more elaborate. Nobody ever asked for, or expected, anything, but an unhealthy desire to outdo myself year-after-year developed. I felt pressure to find better, more expensive, unique-to-each-person gifts.
Then one year, I experimented with making edible gifts. I overcompensated and made too many things—jams, spreads, nuts, cookies and crackers—but a surprising thing happened. Although the gifts were not personalised, did not cost much to make, and didn’t come in an attractive package, people liked them even more. They appreciated the intention and effort, and loved that they could share the food with their own loved ones.
I still buy things for friends and family on their birthdays and special occasions, but Christmas is when I break out my biggest pots and pans to make gifts in bulk. Which brings us to this week’s recipe.
Sichuan Spice Mix
Beginner · Active 5m · Total 5m · Makes 1 cup
It doesn’t look like much, but this spice mix packs a punch.
The spice mix was inspired by both the seasoning on 叫花土豆, a signature fried potato dish at Chengdu in Singapore, and cumin-forward Xinjiang lamb skewers. It’s a mash-up of both flavour profiles, combining spices you might find in a Sichuan chilli oil with earthy cumin, chilli and sesame seeds. The result is a versatile spice mix that goes equally well with grilled meats and roasted vegetables, or sprinkled directly over rice.
2 tablespoons cumin powder
2 tablespoons chilli powder
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon coriander powder
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1/2 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorn
1/2 tablespoon black peppercorn
1 teaspoon Chinese five spice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons MSG
In a spice or coffee grinder, combine cumin powder, chilli powder, sesame seeds, garlic powder, ginger powder, Sichuan pepper, black pepper, coriander powder, fennel seeds, Chinese five spice, sugar, salt, and MSG.
Grind for 15-30 seconds until the spices are ground into a fine powder.
Transfer the spice mix to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place for future use.
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The spice mix is easily made in huge batches for gifting and will last in the pantry for months, although it’s unlikely to stay uneaten for long. As a bonus, I’ve included a recipe idea to use it up based on the original potato dish inspiration.
Crispy Potatoes with Sichuan Spice Mix
Beginner · Active 10m · Total 1h · Serves 4
Crispy potatoes x spice mix = snackable nuggets
Baby potatoes are boiled until almost tender, then baked in an air fryer or oven. These golden-brown crispy nuggets are simple but are a great vehicle to showcase the flavourful depth of the Sichuan Spice Mix.
Crispy Potatoes
500 grams baby potatoes
1/4 tsp baking soda
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
If using an oven, preheat it to 250ºC/500ºF.
Peel potatoes, then add them to a pot. Cover with water and add baking soda, which will help the potato get crispy edges. Season with 1% of salt relative to the weight of the water added.
Over medium heat, bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are almost tender, but still hold their shape, about 10 minutes.
Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot to dry in the residual heat for 5 minutes.
Add vegetable oil to the pot and toss the potatoes to coat. Don't use so much force that the potatoes break up, but it's good to roughen up their surfaces to encourage crisping.
Place the seasoned potatoes in an air fryer (or on a sheet pan in the oven if using) in a single layer. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 30 minutes.
To Finish
Crispy Potatoes
1/4 cup Sichuan Spice Mix
Toss the Crispy Potatoes liberally with Sichuan Spice Mix. Serve immediately.
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