Indonesian Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 (10 ounce) jar reduced sodium soy sauce (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 star anise, pod
1 garlic clove, crushed

Preparation

Half-fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes and set it beside the stove.
Combine sugar and water in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Once it starts boiling, cook without stirring until syrup turns amber, 5 to 10 minutes. Immediately set saucepan in ice water for about 30 seconds.
Add soy sauce, star anise and garlic to cooled caramel.
Return pan to medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool completely. Discard garlic. Transfer to a jar (sterilized if keeping longer than 1 week) and let mellow overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.