Chickpea Cashew Curry

Name: Chickpea Cashew Curry
Ingredients: 3 whole star anise; 3 cinnamon sticks; 1 teaspoon whole cloves; 1 teaspoon mustard seeds; 5 cardamom pods; 15 peppercorns; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 3 large onions, quartered and thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon curry powder; 1 teaspoon salt, divided; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 cup whole raw cashews, soaked in cold water overnight and drained; 1 jalapeno, seeds and all, chopped; 1 teaspoon garam masala; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3 cups cooked or canned chickpeas (if you make them from dried, and I think you should, reserve the cooking liquid.)