Simmer 3/4 C. water, chile and star anise for about 15 minutes. You want to create a spicy syrup with the consistency of maple syrup. You also want the star anise and the chile flavors to infuse the sugar syrup but, at this point, you can control how spicy you want your syrup to be by lengthening or shortening the cooking time. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Chill the syrup.

Assemble your fresh fruits in a pretty bowl. Add half of the sugar syrup to your fruit mixture. (Add more to your taste.) Chop tarragon and basil and add to your salad. Season to your taste with salt and freshly-ground pepper.

Garnish with chopped jalapenos and dollops of mascarpone.