Winter Chutney Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING WINTER FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine the first nine ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. , Stir in the brown sugar, pears, cranberries, apple and currants. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until fruit is tender and mixture has thickened., Pour hot mixture into hot jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water bath.

WINTER CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a large pan and cook down slowly till thick enough to draw the spoon through.
• pot up into sterilized jars when still hot and seal.
• Leave to cool then label and store or give as gifts.

WINTER FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Using small sharp knife, cut between membranes of orange half to release segments. Set segments aside.
• Combine white wine and next 6 ingredients in large nonreactive* saucepan. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Strain mixture; discard solids.
• Return liquid to saucepan. Add cranberries, pears, figs, raisins and ginger. Cover and simmer until fruit is tender, about 10 minutes. Add apples. Simmer until apples are just tender, about 15 minutes. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in reserved orange segments. Transfer to bowl. Cover and refrigerate. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

WINTER FRUIT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Place prunes and apricots in saucepan; add 1 cup/250 mL water and bring to boil.
• Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Stir in onion, apple, tomatoes, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black and cayenne peppers, salt and vinegar; bring to simmer.
• Cover and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, until thickened to jamlike consistency, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Remove from heat and spoon into jar.

SPICY SQUASH & APPLE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large preserving pan, then gently fry the onions, ginger, chilli, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard and cumin seeds together for 5 mins, until the spices are aromatic.
• Stir the garlic, squash and apples into the onions, then cook for 10-15 mins more, until the onions and apples are soft and the squash yields a little here and there.
• Stir in the turmeric and sugar and let it melt around the vegetables. Simmer for 5 mins - this process almost candies the chunks of pumpkin, so that it doesn't entirely break down during the next step.
• Pour in the vinegar, season with 2 tsp salt, then bring the chutney back to a simmer. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 30 mins or until the apple has cooked down to make a squishy base for the chutney, with chunks of tender pumpkin here and there, and a little syrupiness at the bottom of the pan - you don't want the chutney to be too dry as it will thicken as it cools.
• Spoon the hot chutney into sterilised jars and seal. The chutney can be eaten straight away, or left to mellow in a dark place. You can store it for up to six months.

MARY BERRY'S CHRISTMAS CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Peel the tomatoes - prick them with a sharp knife, place in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for a few seconds then drain and cover with cold water. The skins will now come away easily.
• Chop the tomatoes and aubergine and seed and chop the peppers. Put in a large heavy-based pan with the onions and garlic and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid, lower the heat and gently simmer for about one hour, stirring occasionally, until tender.
• Tip the sugar, vinegar, salt, coriander, paprika and cayenne into the pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to boil for 30 minutes or so, until the mixture achieves a chunky chutney consistency and the surplus watery liquid has evaporated. Take care towards the end of the cooking time to continue stirring so that the chutney doesn't catch on the bottom of the pan.
• Ladle the chutney into sterilised or dishwasher-clean jars (Kilner jars are ideal) and top with paper jam covers. Seal the jars while still hot. Leave to mature for at least a month in a cool dark place.