Chilli oil is an essential for many Chinese dishes. This is a really simple and basic Chinese chilli oil that is a bit time consuming but really easy to make. Some recipes call for up to 20 different spices – including star anise, szechuan pepper and cinnamon – but if you are only starting to make these oils, it’s best to start with a basic recipe. As time goes on experiment with different ingredients until you find your perfect combination. This oil is great to have on hand and can be added to many other dishes besides Chinese. A little goes a long way