Star-Anise Spiced Fruit Skewers

Ingredients:

• 16 medium strawberries
• 1/2 medium mango, peeled and cut into 8 cubes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup granular sugar substitute
• 2 star anise, ground (1/2 teaspoon)

Makes 4 (2-skewer) Servings

1. Thread 2 strawberries and 1 mango cube onto each skewer. Lightly coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray and heat to medium.
2. In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar substitute and star anise; bring to a simmer and cook until thickened to a syrupy consistency, 5-7 minutes.
3. Brush fruit with syrup and grill, turning occasionally, until fruit is lightly browned and starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Serve warm.

WW POINTS VALUE: 1 pt per skewer

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. Star Anise is a star-shaped spice with a licorice taste similar to anise and is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. The whole spice can be ground using a spice grinder or coffee grinder. You can also use preground star anise for this recipe and the dessert will still taste delicious. I have become to really enjoy cooked fruit whether baked, broiled, sauteed or even grilled. This was such a nice, filling dessert I would eat this again and highly recommend serving this dish at a backyard bar-b-que or even at a tailgating party. You can also use pineapple in place of the mango or with the strawberries and mango and it will still taste delicious. Other fruits you can use are apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, papayas, grapefruit and oranges. I also recommend serving these fruit skewers with vanilla ice cream for a sophisticated dessert.