油炸花生米

Fried Peanuts

Some form of peanut is usually in every family’s Chinese New Year feast. This traditional dish is very simple to make and a great party food.

serves 8 as a snack

1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns

4 star anise

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

450 g (1 lb) shelled peanuts, skins on

3 tablespoons roasted sesame oil

Put the spices, sugar, salt and 750 ml (26 fl oz/ 3 cups) water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the peanuts and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the peauts and liquid to cool.

Drain and dry the peanuts, removing the whole spices. Heat the sesame oil in a wok and fry the peanuts until brown. Serve warm or cold as a snack.