Name: Mum’s sour rhubarb and star anise paste
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 onion, peeled, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 500 gram rhubarb, finely sliced into small pieces; 1 large apple, peeled and roughly cut; 1 cup water; 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon mixed spice; 1 star anise; 1 teaspoon ground cardamom; 5 cloves

Mum’s sour rhubarb and star anise paste

Nici Wickes shares her mum's winning rhubarb paste recipe. It is a gorgeous accompaniment to any cheese platter. It's delicious with gouda, brie or just a few slices of cheddar

Makes 2

Cook

1H 30M

Ingredients

1 onion, peeled, finely chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

500 gram rhubarb, finely sliced into small pieces

1 large apple, peeled and roughly cut

1 cup water

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1 star anise

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

5 cloves

Method

1.In a large saucepan, sauté the onion in olive oil until slightly softened.

2.Add the rhubarb, apple, water, cider vinegar, brown sugar and spices to the pot. Bring to the boil, then simmer over low heat, lid off, for 1-1½ hours or until thick and reduced. Add more water as it cooks, if needed.

3.Process with a stick blender until smooth. Spoon into sterilised jars and allow to cool before sealing with lids.

4.Serve with crackers and cheese of your choice.