Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Apple, plum and tomato chutney

On my domestic goddess Sunday (or at least, the closest I'll ever come to domestic goddess status) I made this chutney as well as my raw bakewell tart bars. I have never made chutney before. I wasn't sure I was up to it: along with jam, it has always seemed a challenging dish to make at home. It turns out that it is quite easy! Other than requiring a few hours to simmer away, there is very little effort required. Sometimes expectations differ hugely from reality.



One challenge I did have was with how much sugar to use. Many recipes called for a lot. The recipe I adapted seemed to call for far too much. I reduced the amount, but my chutney is still quite sweet. Mr Bite loves it! So do I, but I would use a little less sugar next time. It's not that this is unpleasantly sweet, just perhaps unnecessarily sweet.

I thought some setting agent was required for chutney (as with jam), but it seems I was wrong on that point too. The chutney firmed up on cooling, although mine is not very thick - reducing the liquid would address that if desired.


I simplified my chutney by omitting sultanas, mustard seeds and shallots from the recipe I adapted, but then added tomatoes and mixed spice. I was pleased that the flavours came together nicely. So far, we have enjoyed it in falafel wraps and with chickpeas and rice. I was delighted that Mr B ate a decent serve of chickpeas (flavoured simply with onion, curry powder and paprika), when they were topped with this. I think the chutney may appear again.

A final note on amounts: most chutney recipes make a very large batch, to allow for sealing up a decent number of small preserve jars. I am not very confident with sterilising and sealing preserve jars, so made a reduced portion that I'll keep in the fridge to use over 2 weeks. If you want a bigger batch, just increase the ingredients to suit.



Apple, plum and tomato chutney
A surprisingly easy and very tasty chutney
Vegan and low in fat
Makes approximately 5 cups

Allow 1 hour for cooking

Author: Bite-Sized Thoughts, adapted from the apple and plum chutney on All Recipes


Ingredients
620g apples, weighed with skin and core (approximately 5 medium apples)
310g plums, weighed with skin and stones (approximately 5 large plums)
310g tomatoes
75g (2/3 cup) caster sugar - reduce for a less sweet chutney
155ml (1/2 cup + 2 tbsp) apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp fresh grated ginger

Method
Peel and chop your apples and place in a large saucepan or stove top casserole dish. Roughly chop the plums and tomatoes and add to the apples. Add the remaining ingredients (sugar, vinegar, salt, spice, ginger) and then bring the chutney mix to the boil. There will be a minimal amount of liquid at this stage.

When the mixture reaches boiling point, reduce heat to low. Cover and allow to simmer for approximately 1 hour, stirring regularly. Turn off the heat and allow to cool; the chutney should thicken further on cooling.

Transfer to sterilised preserving jars for long-term storage, or sealed containers to keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.


Are you a fan of chutney? Do you have any favourite flavour combinations?

21 comments:

  1. Preserving is truly the work of a domestic goddess! Glad you are enjoying your first chutney. I love making chutney but often reduce the sugar. I did try a plum and apple chutney a few years back that didn't work for me because it was too sweet and because it had too much star anise but would like to try another - I think tomatoes sounds like a good idea and I will definitely try a lot less sugar next time. I bake jars for 30 minutes at 150 C and boil the lids for about 10 minutes and add hot chutney into hot jars and seal straight away. (Just in case you were to start making bigger batches and wanted any advice)

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    1. I do really appreciate your advice - thank you. I also quite like the idea of star anise but can imagine too much would be overwhelming. It might put Mr B off too!

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  2. Found you on Sandy's blog! LOVE your site, here! This looks FAB! Right up my alley and now I'm hungry for it! LOVE the color!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Jennifer :-) I really appreciate you stopping by and am glad the chutney appeals!

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  3. I bet this would be amazing at Christmas with a cheese board.

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  4. I've made chutney a few times and I love the smell of it while it's cooking. All that vinegar and those spices! So good. Your chutney looks terrific and it looks like you adapted the recipe very well xx

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    1. I loved the smell too, but my dear husband found it off putting! I was surprised because he likes the individual components and also liked the end result, but he held his breath in the kitchen during the simmering phase!

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  5. Apple & Plum chutney sounds lovely! We had a family lunch on Sunday and had apple & plum crumble :D
    I'm one of those people who loves the sound of chutneys and jams but unfortunately they just don't get eaten. Maybe I should make some for gifts then I get to do the domestic goddess thing with a purpose!

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    1. I'd take the crumble too :D I do relate to liking the sound of chutneys and jams but not getting through them - traditionally I have been the same. A reduced batch is helping here but big batches are almost par for the course with preserving.

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  6. I have never done preserving/sterilising jars either, I think I'm a bit intimidated to be honest and scared I'll poison someone. This chutney looks brilliant!!!

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  7. I love the sweet tanginess of chutney, but you're right..so many recipes call for WAY too much sugar! Definitely love the sound of your version. I hope I can still find plums!

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    1. If not, I'm sure a variation would work well too :-)

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  8. Yum! I adore chutney and have a number of jars that I have bought at present - but have never tried making my own before.

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  9. This is a great combo! Excellent for chips! Mmmm...

    Gourmet Getaways

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  10. Whilst I love eating chutney I have never actually made it myself. My sister gives me plenty of jars to keep me going! :-)
    Though you have somewhat tempted me to perhaps give it a try!

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    1. It is easier than it looks and seems, I promise!

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  11. Well I'm making it and a little concerned right now, as I have picked fresh off the trees, the plums, the apples, and our own rosa tomatoes, which one weighed in at 500 grams! It appears the plums produce a lot of juice so will be simmering a lot longer. The colour is delightful, and smell. It is just going to take longer. I can give you a great and very easy recipe for autumn pear pudding, if any of you guys are interested.

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