What’s Cooking in Kelli’s Kitchen: Star Anise is Perfect Fall Spice

There’s something magical about the shift into fall in Churchill County. The mornings are cool, the corn is high and golden, and the first traces of woodsmoke are in the air. It’s the season of pumpkins on porches, hot cider on the stove, and spices that warm us from the inside out. This month, the Churchill County Library Spice of the Month is Star Anise—a perfect match for the flavors of autumn.

Star anise, with its eight-point star shape, is as beautiful as a pressed leaf and just as evocative of the season. Its bold, licorice-like flavor brings depth to everything from hearty braises to mulled drinks. Add a pod to your cider pot along with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel, and suddenly you have a cozy beverage worthy of any harvest gathering.

Star anise comes from the fruit of a small evergreen tree, native to Southern China and Vietnam. Harvested just before ripening and dried to preserve its flavor, each pod is as beautiful as it is useful in the kitchen. While it often appears in traditional blends like Chinese five-spice or masala chai, star anise is just as comfortable in a pot of beef stew as it is in a cup of mulled cider. Its versatility lies in its ability to bridge the gap between savory and sweet.

An easy way to get to know this spice is to simply steep a single pod in hot water, along with a cinnamon stick and a slice of ginger. The resulting tea is both calming and invigorating, perfect for these early autumn evenings when the air cools and we’re craving cozy flavors. If you’re ready to experiment, try tucking a whole pod into your next batch of rice while it steams. You’ll find the gentle aroma infuses every grain, turning a simple side dish into something memorable.

I love star anise paired with fall fruits. Apples, pears, and even pumpkin sing when simmered with this spice. I’m excited to pair star anise with the pears I harvested last week from my father’s tree in Battle Ground (and then wrapped in bubble wrap to keep them safe and protected during the airplane flight home). Star anise is also a fitting dance partner for pumpkin, adding complexity to your harvest pies and cheesecakes! Just add a star anise pod into your pumpkin puree or steep it in your custard base for an easy festive twist.

Speaking of pumpkins—this fall brings a new way to celebrate the harvest right here at home. Fallon’s own Pumped Up Porches has officially launched, offering a farm-to-porch decorating service. They’ll adorn your home’s (or business’s) exterior with pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, and mums, creating a festive farm-to-porch look that’s both welcoming and seasonal. Think of it as the autumn equivalent of Christmas lights but rooted in our local harvest.

With Pumped Up Porches setting the scene and star anise filling our kitchens with fragrance, there’s no doubt: fall has arrived in Churchill County.

Mulled Apple Cider with Star Anise

INGREDIENTS:

1 gallon apple cider

4 pods star anise

3 sticks cinnamon

2  whole cloves

1   orange, sliced

2–3 tbsp.  brown sugar (optional, to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat and let steep for 20–30 minutes.
3. Strain out spices and orange slices. Serve hot in mugs with a cinnamon stick stirrer or a splash of brandy if you like!

Spiced Pear Compote

INGREDIENTS:

3 ripe pears, peeled and sliced

½ cup  sugar

½ cup  water

1 pod   star anise

1 stick  cinnamon

Juice of half a lemon

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, star anise, and cinnamon. Bring to a gentle simmer until sugar dissolves.
2. Add the pears and cook over low heat until tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove the star anise and cinnamon, then stir in lemon juice.
4. Serve warm over oatmeal or cooled over ice cream.

Stop by the Churchill County Library during October to pick up some star anise for your kitchen and check out Pumped Up Porches on Facebook and Instagram to book some farm-to-porch love to take your home’s curb appeal to the next level!