A Nice Easy Recipe for Homemade Chutney

[les]

This is a really easy-to-make chutney. I usually make these for Christmas presents as it only takes 4 weeks to mature.


Makes 8 Assorted Jars
Prep Time 30 mins
Cooking Time 30 mins
Ingredients

* 2730g Bramley apples
* 1357g Conference pears
* 3 Large onions, finely chopped
* 2 Large garlic cloves, finely chopped
* 2 Lemons, grated zest and juice
* 1 Heaped tablespoon wholegrain mustard
* 1 Litre white wine vinegar
* 225g Sultanas
* 225g Dried apricots, roughly chopped
* 1inch/2.54cm Root ginger, peeled and grated
* 3 Tbsp ground ginger
* 1 Tbsp Himalayan salt or sea salt
* 1kg Dark muscovado sugar

Method

* Peel, core and roughly dice the apples and pears
* Put the apples, pears, onions, lemon zest and juice, garlic, mustard and half the white wine vinegar into a large heavy saucepan and bring to the boil
* Simmer for a few minutes, just until the fruit starts to soften, don’t overcook
* Add the rest of the vinegar and all the other ingredients, stir
* Bring back to the boil and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, leave the lid off
* Pack into jam jars or kilner jars and lay a waxed disc on top, wax side down(see Cook’s tips 1.)
* Store in a cool dark place for about a month

Cook's tips

* 1.Wash the jars in hot soapy water or put through the dishwasher
* Dry and sterilize in the oven 130°C/250°F/Gas mark ½ for 10 minutes
* Use only plastic coated metal lids, boil these along with any rubber seals, in a saucepan of water for 10 minutes

Equipment

* Large heavy saucepan
* Jam jars and Kilner jars

Shopping List

* 2730g Bramley apples
* 1357g Conference pears
* 3 Large onions
* 2 Large garlic cloves
* 2 Lemons
* 1 Heaped tablespoon wholegrain mustard
* 1 Litre white wine vinegar
* 225g Sultanas
* 225g Dried apricots
* 1inch/2.54cm Root ginger
* 3 Tbsp ground ginger
* 1 Tbsp Himalayan salt or sea salt
* 1kg Dark muscovado sugar
* Waxed discs

[Nyeer]

This is so cool! Today I was looking for ideas to make Christmas gifts and here I found the first thing. This is great! I just wish I could find those labels, they are so cute. Thank you for the recipe!

[mcnerd]

I personally would not attempt it, especially as gifts for other people, since it is not a "canned" product or processed in any fashion according to the USDA standards. Wax sealing has also been considered unsafe for 20-30 years here. I guess the procedures and standards in England are totally different.

[les]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnerd I personally would not attempt it, especially as gifts for other people, since it is not a "canned" product or processed in any fashion according to the USDA standards. Wax sealing has also been considered unsafe for 20-30 years here. I guess the procedures and standards in England are totally different.

that's a shame, the sterilization method we use here is taught in school, I learnt it when I was 12...long before dishwashers were used to serilize. I too would not attempt preserving if I didn't know the tried & tested methods that are safe..my grandmother would be turning over in her grave...

[les]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyeer This is so cool! Today I was looking for ideas to make Christmas gifts and here I found the first thing. This is great! I just wish I could find those labels, they are so cute. Thank you for the recipe!

you're welcome. I couldn't find any decent labels in the shops as we've had such an abundance of fruit this year..all the shops have sold out, so I had to make my own, I got them from Microsoft Works, hope that helps

[Nyeer]

Great point Mcnerd, I didn't think of that, but I can still prepare the chutney and serve at my Christmas parties!
Les, thanks for the tip about the labels, as I am beginning to gather ideas for Christmas that will hekp a lot.
Thanks to both of you!