2 cups red wine
1 cup sugar
3 star anise
12 whole prune plums, or
6 large plums, halved and pitted
Bring wine and sugar to boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. When sugar has dissolved add star anise and simmer 5 minutes. Add plums and cook gently, turning often until just cooked. This will take 10 to 20 minutes depending on ripeness of plums. The plum skins will split, but take care not to overcook. Remove plums to a serving dish as they are cooked. Once all the plums are removed, bring the poaching liquid to a boil and boil 5 minutes or until syrupy. Pour over cooked plums and serve warm or at room temperature with cream on the side.
Serves 6