Apple and Date Chutney

This particular chutney recipe was created specifically to serve with a cheeseboard but its sweet fruitiness makes it ideal for accompanying things like cold ham.

Ingredients:

2 lb dates – stoneless, roughly chopped
2 lb apples – peeled, cored, roughly chopped
2 onions – peeled and finely diced
1 pt malt vinegar
1 lb demarera sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cinnamon stick, 4 cloves and 2 star anise - tied in muslin

Method:

Simply throw everything into a large saucepan over a high heat and bring to the boil, stirring occasionaly. Reduce the heat to low and gently cook away for two hours.

Variations:

Plum chutney – Add 2 lb plums instead of dates
Fig chutney – Add 2 lb of figs instead of dates
Grape chutney – Use only 8 oz of dates and add 2 lb grapes

This recipe makes a fair quantity on the assumption that you are going to be putting it in jars and storing it. The flavour will only improve with storage and the bonus is - you always have something to give relatives when you forget their birthday!