Tomato and chilli jacket potatoes

Step 1

1. Set the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.

Step 2

2. Prick the potatoes and wrap them in foil, then bake them in the oven for about 1½ hours, or until they are tender.

Step 3

3. To make the topping: Pour the olive oil into a heavy-based saucepan and heat over a moderate heat. Add the onion and celery to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to soften. Add the garlic, chilli and ginger and cook for a further 1-2 minutes, then add the tomatoes, red pepper and salt, and mix well.

Step 4

4. Finally, add the sugar, vinegar and star anise, and stir over a moderate heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, so that the mixture doesn’t stick to the base of the pan. Remove pan from heat.

Step 5

5. To serve, cut the potatoes in half and spoon the warm topping over.