Star Anise Sauce Recipes

CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH PORT & STAR ANISE

Steps:

• Tip the cranberries into a saucepan, grate in the orange zest then squeeze in the juice. Add the redcurrant jelly, port and star anise and slowly bring to the simmer.
• Cook gently over a low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the cranberries have burst and the sauce thickens and looks glossy. You want to end up with a saucy texture rather than a jammy one - you will find fresh cranberries thicken the sauce more readily whereas the frozen cranberries will take a little longer.
• Stir in the sugar and taste. Chef Tony Tobin likes the sauce to have enough tartness to make you suck in your cheeks, but add more sugar if you prefer. Cool and then fish out the star anise. The sauce will keep in the fridge in a covered container for 1 week or for 2 months in the freezer.
• To serve, take out of the fridge an hour or so before the meal so that it returns to room temperature, then spoon into a serving dish.

STAR ANISE SAUCE

Steps:

• In an oiled sautè skillet oiled with Canola oil& Sesame oil, add all the ingredients& bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat& simmer about 5 minutes.
• Check for seasoning.
• Bring to a boil again.
• Reduce heat& simmer another 10 minutes, stirring constantly until sauce somewhat thickens, almost like a syrup.
• Strain& use the sauce to cook over duck, chicken, pork chops or beef cubes.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH STAR ANISE SAUCE, GINGER CARROTS AND SNAP PEAS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Clean the chicken and sprinkle the entire bird, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Stuff the bird with the oranges, garlic, onions, celery, rosemary and thyme. Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes. If the chicken is browning too quickly, turn the oven down to 375 degrees F and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the oven, tent with foil and let rest 30 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, work on the garnishes.
• For the snow peas and carrots: Fill a large pot with water, season with salt and bring to a boil. Prepare an ice bath by placing ice cubes and water in a bowl. Set aside. Dump the snap peas into the boiling water and cook until al dente. Be sure to test the peas as they are cooking to prevent them from overcooking. Use a slotted spoon to remove the snow peas from the water and plunge into the ice bath. Remove from the ice when cool and reserve until service.
• Put the carrots, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons butter and brown sugar in a saute pan and add water until the carrots are barely covered. The carrots should be in a single layer. Put on high heat and cook until all the water is nearly evaporated. Cover and set aside for service.
• For the star anise sauce: Combine the stock, soy sauce, anise seeds, honey, vinegar, sesame oil and thyme and reduce until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
• Once the chicken has rested, carve the bird by removing the legs from the thighs and slicing the breasts in half. Pour any juices that have collected in the pan into the sauce and hold warm over low heat.
• To finish the snap peas, heat a saute pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. Once it is bubbly, add the garlic and snap peas. Season with salt and pepper. To finish the carrots, gently reheat over medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to moisten.
• Once everything is hot, serve a piece of white and dark meat garnished with the carrots, snap peas and drizzled with the sauce.

SAUSAGES WITH GINGER, STAR ANISE AND SOY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer fennel and star anise to a spice grinder and grind well.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Form sausage mixture into desired shape: cylinders or patties. Chill for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months, or use immediately.
• Brush sausages with oil and grill or broil them until browned and cooked through. Or fry them in a little oil until well browned all over.

SCALLOPS AND LEEKS IN STAR ANISE-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Boil juice and star anise in saucepan until juice is reduced to 2/3 cup, about 4 minutes. Cool; remove star anise and reserve. Whisk sugar and cornstarch into juice. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add orange peel strips and reserved star anise to skillet and sauté 1 minute. Add leeks; sauté until tender, about 6 minutes. Add scallops; sauté until opaque in center, turning once, about 3 minutes. Add juice mixture; boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.