published Aug 04, 2021 When you’re looking for a quick way to add a boost of flavor to food, seasoning blends are an easy answer. They’re perfect for use as a spice rub for meats or vegetables for grilling or smoking, or simply to sprinkle over anything that lacks flavor!
Xinjiang Szechuan Seasoning
Cuisine: Asian / Chinese Xinjiang, an autonomous territory in northwest China, is home to many ethnic minority groups, including the Turkic Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim population. The ancient Silk Road trade route linking China and the Middle East passed through Xinjiang, a legacy that can be seen in the traditional open-air bazaars of its oasis cities, Hotan and Kashgar. Don’t pass the opportunity to savor on seasoned lamb kebab, served on Turkic tandoor-grilled simit bread. Recipe Difficulty: Easy 🥄Description:This Asian seasoning may not be as well known as, say, Chinese five spice, but if you like warm, earthy flavors, then it may become your new favorite seasoning recipe.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Toasting and grinding whole spices
The best method of extracting flavor from whole spices is to heat them. Known as dry toasting, the spices are placed over low heat in a clean skillet, without any other ingredients. It doesn’t take much time to release the natural oils; you’ll know when this happens because you’ll smell the aroma. After toasting, add the whole spices to a spice grinder or clean coffee bean grinder and pulse it a few times to grind everything up. It’s simple!
Other uses for Szechuan seasoning
The Uyghurs use the Xinjiang spice primarily for grilling. While it’s definitely great on grilled lamb kebab, beef, chicken, pork, and fish, other uses are limited only by your imagination! Any recipe that calls for a mildly spicy blend of spices is the perfect opportunity to add a little of this Asian seasoning instead. A couple of ideas to consider:
Add spiciness to condiments– Add a bit of Xinjiang spice to a packet of dry ranch powder to make a spicy ranch dressing. Or, stir some into yogurt or mayo for a delicious Sichuan chicken salad.Ground meat seasoning– Stir some into the mixture for hamburgers, meatloaf, or meatballs. Actually, this spice mix would be fantastic to use with my recipe for Kung Pao Asian Chicken Meatballs!
