to about 2 tablespoons. (You can add a little water if you reduce the mixture too much.) Spoon over the steamed chicken. Note: Star anise is a dried spice with a pungent, licorice flavour. It can be purchased at most Asian groceries. You can substitute 1/2 teaspoon lightly crushed anise seed for 2 star anise, although the flavour will not be as distinctive.