Mixed Berry Soup and an Award:

When Sunita announced the spice for February, I had no idea what to send in as my entry because I have never used Star Anise in my cooking before. I thought I would have sit this event out.

Meanwhile I saw this Berry Soup made by Giada De Laurentiis on Food Network. Much that the name sounds undessert like, it is a colourful and tasty one. The soup is flavoured with Star Anise and Cinnamon. I knew I had my entry for the event.

The original recipe calls for fresh fruit, but you can substitute with frozen fruit as well.

Mixed Berry Soup: (Recipe adapted from FoodNetwork)

2 cups dry red wine
1 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2 whole star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
2 Cups fresh strawberries
1 Cup fresh raspberries
½ Cup fresh blueberries
1 pint vanilla ice-cream

Combine the wine, water, sugar, star anise, and cinnamon sticks in a large pan. Add all the berries. Bring the liquids to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the fruit is very tender, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Discard the star anise and cinnamon sticks. Transfer the berry mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Strain the soup through a fine mesh strainer and into a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until very cold, stirring occasionally, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day ahead.

Place a small scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center of a dessert glass or soup bowl. Drizzle or pour soup over the ice cream and serve immediately. If using fresh berries, reserve some for garnish.

This makes for a satisfying dessert on any occasion. The dark berry soup over the white vanilla ice cream is perfect.

It was a race against time taking these pics, the room was just too warm and the ice cream didn't hold too long. I used 3 scoops, and you can see one scoop has already half melted :D I decided to swirl the soup and the ice cream to make it look a little presentable.

I'm sending this in the nick of time to "Think Spice – Think Star Anise" hosted by dear Sunita of Sunita’s World.

Now to the award; two dear friends have passed on the "Nice Matters" award to me on the same day. This is my first award and I'm so pleased :) Meeso of My Humble Kitchen and Lavanya of Home Cook's Recipes, thanks to both of you!!!!

“Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.”

I'm honored that my friends consider me worthy of this award:) Thanks again Meeso and Lavanya!!

Now my turn to pass it on to a few important people;

First, to dear Rajitha of Hunger Pangs, the first person in the blogging world that I actually became close to. I still don't know her that well, but her blog is on my must see list everyday. She is on a break from blogging now, hope to see her back soon! :)

Second, to dear Sunita of Sunita's World, love her pictures, recipes and everything she rambles about. She is one person whom I respect for her honesty and simplicity.

Third, to dear TBC of The Budding Cook, we connect on some level dunno which one though :-D