In a Stir-Fry

1. Add a selection of vegetables and other ingredients to the frying pan or wok and stir-fry them for a few minutes.

2. Sprinkle a teaspoon of 5-spice powder over the ingredients.

3. Stir well and continue to fry until ready.

For Rubbing on Meat

1. In a bowl, mix a few teaspoons of 5-spice powder with salt. The quantity of the spice powder and the salt depends on how much meat you will be cooking.

2. Rub the blend all over the meat and let it marinade for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This will work especially well with duck, pork and chicken.

3. Grill, fry or roast the meat as desired.

Desserts

1. Mix the ingredients for a cake in a bowl, along with a teaspoon of 5-spice powder before placing in the oven to bake. It is particularly suited to spiced cakes and apple pies.

2. Make a cake frosting and add some 5-spice powder to add a hint of spice to your cake.

3. Stew pears or apples in red wine and 5-spice powder.