Cranberry sauce with port & star anise

Method

• step 1

  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.

• step 2

  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.

• step 3

  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.

• step 4

  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.