This fantastic and simple recipe is from Spice It – a wonderful new book highlighting the use of spices.

Whether you’re just learning or already experienced in the use of spices, this great new collection of recipes and spice tips will make a useful addition to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 115 g (4 oz/1/2 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
• 3 star anise
• 750 g (1 lb 10 oz) strawberries
• 3 tablespoons lime juice

Method

Put 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) of water, and the sugar and star anise, in a small saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and boil for 1 minute. Set aside to cool completely. Discard the star anise.

Hull and purée the strawberries. Combine the purée, lime juice, and cold sugar syrup in a bowl and stir to combine.

Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the sorbet is just firm. Spoon into a container and freeze until ready to serve.

Don’t worry if you don’t have an ice cream maker. Just put it in the freezer for 30-40 minutes, then break it up with a whizz beater. And repeat these two steps until it is the desired texture. Also makes a delicious topping sauce when thawed.