Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking. Heat a bit oil (coconut or sesame is fine) or use a bit of vegetable broth, if you want to make to make this oil free. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and the vegetables to pan. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The first sensation from this aromatic spice is a peppery (spicy) taste that quickly numbs the tongue. Bring the liquid to a boil and place in the pressed tofu. Picture of Bull-Dog Tonkatsu Sauce I use. Continue cooking for about 3-4 minutes for all the flavors to combine. Spice up your life! In southern China, five-spice powder usually uses Saigon cinnamon and orange peel to replace Chinese cinnamon and cloves, so the five-spice powder from southern China tastes a little different compared to other five-spice powder from other regions of China. Also, try mixing a teaspoon with some oil and vinegar and use it to baste steak or pork while it's on the grill. Instructions. However the sesame and teriyaki marinated tofu styles do not work as well. You will find it sold year-round as a powdered mix. In large sauté pan or wok, heat pan and add vegetable oil. The Way Rice Should Be: Five Spice Dougan (Pressed Tofu). Szechuan peppercorns are not a pepper at all, but a reddish-brown berry that comes from the prickly ash bush. Since tofu tastes like what it is cooked in, your options for spices and herbs are truly endless. Add the cooked pork, tofu, soy sauce, and tonkatsu sauce. Make the five spice sauce. Roughly chop up scallion, ginger and garlic. The bottled five-spice powder can often be found in the spice section of most supermarkets. Chinese five-spice powder may have originally been used medicinally to balance yin and yang. Place them in a large saucepan along with soy sauce, sugar and five spice. 1.5 cups Marinated Pork (See notes for recipe). Cinnamon is a hot yang spice, while fennel, clove, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorn are warm yang spices. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, 10 Deliciously Easy Chinese Chicken Stir-Fries. You can find the tofu at some supermarkets and it will be labeled “Baked Tofu”. Some five-spice recipes call for Chinese cinnamon or cassia, a close cousin of true cinnamon, but with a more pungent flavor. As with most powdered spices, it will lose its potency over time. Soon, you'll pick up hints of anise and ginger, gradually becoming lemony (sour), salty, and hot. Be sure to store it in an airtight jar when you bring it home. Store five-spice powder in a sealed glass container in a cool, dark, dry location. You can also use Kikkoman Tonkatsu Sauce, but this is my preferred brand. Sometimes it will be seasoned with Five Spice or other flavors. Ground cloves have a pungent, sweet flavor.