METHOD
Mix everything, except the apples and lemon juice, together in a saucepan with 200ml water and slowly bring up to the boil, stirring from time to time to help the sugar dissolve.
If your apples are small, then just halve and core them. If they’re bigger then cut them into quarters, or sixths, coring each piece. I leave the skin on if the apples are small and red (if you get some of the apples with pink-tinged flesh, they look gorgeous when poached), but peel them if they’re larger. As soon as you peel them, drop them into a bowl with the lemon juice.
Bring the liquid back to a very gentle simmer, add the apples and poach until tender. This can happen very quickly, depending on the size and variety of apple. Some of the small apples I’ve had this year are ready in just 5 minutes, some quarters of larger apples take 15. Keep an eye on them and lift out each piece of fruit with a slotted spoon as it’s ready. Spread out on a plate to cool.
Boil the poaching liquid until it has reduced by about a third. The mixture should look slightly syrupy and will thicken more as it cools. Let it cool to room temperature. Strain, then pick out the star anise and put them in with the apples in a bowl. Pour the syrup over the apples, chill briefly and serve with slightly sweetened Greek yogurt or crème fraîche.