How to Make Chutney
What do you do when you have a kind of boring meal where you just want to add something to make it more fun, flavorful, exciting? Why, add a condiment, of course! But be honest, how many partially used or unopened condiment jars do you have taking up space in your refrigerator or cabinet? To solve this problem, there are so many advantages to making your own condiments. You have complete control over the ingredients that you use, you can make just the right amount, and you can save money, to name a few. In making condiments, the options are limitless, whether you want savory or sweet, spicy or mild, smooth or chunky, vegetable or fruit, etc. You can also make condiments based on seasonal ingredients, such as fresh pesto in the spring with herbs from your garden, a summer salsa, or an autumn apple chutney. And speaking of chutney, today I have two easy and delicious chutney recipes to share.
Chutney is simply a combination of stewed fruits and/or vegetables, cooked down into a sort of thick relish, flavored with spices, sweeteners (optional) and often a vinegar of some sort (apple cider, balsamic, red wine, etc.). They can either be made and served right away or they can be canned and stored for future use. The best part is, you can make up your own flavor combinations based on ingredients you have on hand.
The instructions for both are the same:
- Combine ingredients.
- Barely simmer, covered for an hour.
- Remove cover and allow moisture to cook off, stir frequently to avoid burning,
until you have a thick consistency.
Apple Raisin Chutney
2 Apples, peeled, cored and diced
¼ C Golden raisins
¼ C Thompson Raisins
¼ C dried currants
1 Jalapeño chili, de-seeded and minced
4 Cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
½ a small onion, diced
¼ C Apple cider vinegar
½ C Water
½ tsp Teeny Tiny Spice Company Garam Masala
Mango Ginger Tangerine Chutney
2 Mangoes, peeled and diced
1 Inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced
½ of a small onion, diced
The peel of one organic tangerine, julienned
½ tsp Teeny Tiny Spice Company Chinese Five Spice
¼ C Apple cider vinegar
½ C Water