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Sichuan-Peppercorn Powder or Toasted Peppercorn Salt

I typically toast 1/4 cup peppercorns at a time (it's hard to grind much less) and use any extra powder in seasoning rubs, flatbreads, and stir-fries. However, once ground, this spice quickly loses its pungency—discard it once it is no longer vibrantly fragrant.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    20 min

  • Yield

    Makes about 1/4 cup peppercorn powder (about 1/2 cup peppercorn salt)

Ingredients

1/4 cup Sichuan peppercorns
1/2 cup additive-free kosher salt (if making peppercorn salt)

Preparation

  1. For peppercorn powder:

    Step 1

    Shake peppercorns in a sieve to get rid of dust, then spread in batches on a white plate and discard any twigs, leaves, thorns, or black inner seeds.

    Step 2

    Toast peppercorns in a dry heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until very fragrant and smoking, 3 to 5 minutes (be careful not to let them burn).

    Step 3

    Grind, while still hot, to a powder in an electric coffee/spice grinder and sift through a fine sieve, discarding hulls.

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