The Joy of Red-Cooking

Make a brilliant Chinese braise with 250 ml soy sauce, 200 ml chicken stock, 2 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry, 1 tsp sesame oil, some fresh ginger and garlic, 1 tbsp sugar and 3 star anise, and simmer for 10 minutes. Use it to poach Chinese mushrooms, chicken, fish or pork, to serve with rice.