Star Anise

Star anise, or Chinese star anise is a spice that closely resembles anise in flavor, obtained from the star-shaped seed pod of Illicium verum, a small native evergreen tree of southwest China. The star shaped fruits are harvested just before ripening. It is widely used in Chinese cuisine, in Indian cuisine where it is a major component of garam masala, and in Indonesian cuisine. It is grown for commercial use in China, India, and most other countries in Asia. Star anise is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking. Star anise contains anethole, the same ingredient which gives the unrelated anise its flavor. Recently, star anise has come into use in the West as a less expensive substitute for anise in baking as well as in liquor production, most distinctively in the production of the liquor Galliano.

Star anise has been used in a tea as a remedy for colic and rheumatism, and the seeds are sometimes chewed after meals to aid digestion. Star anise is grown in four provinces in China and harvested between March and May. Because the pods are so fragrant and pretty, Star Anise is often used in crafts and potpourris.

Here is a recipe for a cold appetizer using this unique spice.

Ingredients

3 cups water
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 inch piece of fresh ginger root
2 garlic cloves; minced
2 dried star anise pods
2 cinnamon sticks (2-inch pieces)
3 pounds pork tenderloin (or roast)

Directions

Slice the ginger into thin slices. Mix all the other broth ingredients in a pot, add ginger and the meat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, turning occasionally. Cook until meat is fork tender (about 1 hour for tenderloin, longer for roast). When meat is done remove from the broth, cool, then cover and refrigerate until cold. Thinly slice the meat across the grain and serve with condiments.

Suggested Dipping Sauce

Mix Together

1/4 Cup Soy Sauce, 2 TBSP Rice Wine Vinegar,1 Tsp. Brown Sugar ,
1 clove Garlic - minced , 1 Tsp grated fresh Ginger , 1/4 Cup chopped Green Onion ,
1/4 Tsp crushed dried chili peppers and 1 TBSP Sesame seed oil.

Let sit 30 minutes to let flavors mingle.