Star Anise Spiced Cranberry Sauce W Ruby Port Food

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 SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE W/ RUBY PORT

Steps:

• In a small saucepan combine the sugar, water, port star anixe and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
• Add the cranberries and simmer, uncovered about 8-10 minutes.
• Stir occasionally until most of the cranberries have burst.
• Remove from heat, let cool slightly and stir in the lemon zest and juice and a pinch of salt.
• Serve chilled or room temperature.
• Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise just before serving.

CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH ZINFANDEL, STAR ANISE AND BLACK PEPPER

Steps:

• In a non-reactive saucepan, combine the cranberries, wine, balsamic, cinnamon sticks and anise pods.
• If you're unsure about how sweet the sauce will be, begin with 1/2 cup sugar.
• The rest may be added later to taste.
• Use a tea ball or cheesecloth bag to hold the peppercons and cloves.
• Add to the pot.
• Bring the berries to boiling then reduce to medium-low.
• The cranberries will cook completely in 20-30 minutes, bursting and turning deep red.
• In the last few minutes of cooking, taste for sugar and stir in more as desired.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Remove the spices sticks, pods and the peppercorns.
• Add more wine for a more pronounced Zinfandel taste if desired and adjust the sugar.
• Store in a clean jar and it will last indefinitely refrigerated.

STAR ANISE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• in a saucepan bring port, water, sugar, salt, and star anise to a boil, immediately remove from heat, cover, and let it stand for 20 minutes to infuse the flavors.
• return the liquid to a boil, add cranberries, return to boil, lower heat to simmer.
• cook for 8-10 minutes until cranberries pop and sauce thickens.
• remove star anise and stir in orange zest.
• cool.

SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened. (I put the cloves in a tea diffuser for easier removal and usually cook the sauce a little longer than the time given.).
• Transfer the sauce to a bowl and let cool.
• The sauce may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• Serve at room temperature.

SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• I like to break up my cinnamon sticks and put the cinnamon pieces and the whole cloves in a tea ball or bouquet garni bag. Otherwise you have to fish out the cinnamon and cloves later.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan combine the cranberries, the honey, the brown sugar, the cinnamon sticks, the cloves, the nutmeg, fresh grated ginger, orange zest and orange juice. Simmer the mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until almost all of the cranberries have burst and the mixture is thickened. (If you prefer more whole berries in your sauce, leave more intact. If you prefer a more jellied consistency, use an immersion blender to leave fewer whole pieces.) Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and let it cool before serving.
• The sauce may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. Serve the sauce at room temperature. You may also serve the sauce with cream cheese to be spread on crackers for an appetizer.