Black Mission Fig and Sweet Onion Port Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups (about one 500-ml. bottle) ruby- or vintage-style port
• About 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup (about 7 oz.) dried Black Mission figs, stems removed, coarsely chopped
• 2 whole star anise
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt and pepper

Preparation

1. 1. Sauté onion in oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. 2. Add port, 2 cups chicken broth, the figs, and star anise. Boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by about a third, about 15 minutes. Remove and discard star anise.
3. 3. Purée mixture in a blender until smooth. Pour into a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in butter, vinegar, salt to taste, and a generous amount of pepper. If sauce is too thick, thin with a little more chicken broth. Serve hot.
4. Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.