The favorite dish of the night was a star anise braised chicken dish that, although much uglier than in the picture menu, was so tender and juicy neither of us cared.

晚上最受喜爱的菜肴就是八角茴香焖鸡，即使要比菜单上的图片难看得多，但却又嫩又多汁，所以我们并不介意。

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Chinese seasoning made by grinding star anise and fennel and pepper and cloves and cinnamon.

中国调味品，由磨碎的星形大茴香、茴香、胡椒粉、丁香和桂皮制成。

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Boil up some water with 1 slice of ginger, 1 spring onion, tangerine peel and star anise. Bring to boil.

在锅内放入适量之水、姜1片、葱1条、陈皮、八角煮滚，下鸭脷煮腍，约煮25分钟，取起鸭脷及陈皮。

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That evening , the Lindens, their two sons and I feasted on a local version of the classic hong shao yu (red-cooked fish), fried until golden then braised in a soy-based sauce with fragrant seasonings like star anise, cinnamon and chili paste.

WSJ: Cormorant Fishing in Yunnan Province, China