Delia Smith Christmas Chutney Food

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.

CHRISTMAS CHUTNEY

Steps:

• The dried fruits and the onions need to be chopped very small, and this can be done in a food processor, or with an old-fashioned mincer, or else with a sharp knife and lots of patience! When they're all dealt with, put the vinegar in a large saucepan with the salt and the ginger, then tie the allspice berries up in a small piece of muslin, or gauze, very securely so they can't escape and add these to the pan. Bring everything up to the boil, then stir in the chopped dried fruits and onions together with the sugar. Leave it all to simmer very gently without a lid for about 1½ hours, or until the chutney has thickened. Stir it from time to time during the cooking period. When it's ready, you will be able to draw a spoon across the surface of the chutney and make a trail that doesn't immediately fill up with surplus vinegar. In the meantime, the jar should be washed thoroughly in warm soapy water, rinsed, dried and heated in a moderate oven for 5 minutes. Spoon the cooked chutney into the warmed jar, seal well with waxed discs and tight lids, and label as soon as it's cold. Keep this chutney for 1 month to mature before eating.

SPICED APRICOT AND ORANGE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Begin by chopping the apricots into smallish chunks, then place them in a sieve and rinse them under cold water. Shake off the excess water and put them in a large saucepan. Now place the coriander seeds in your smallest saucepan and heat the pan whilst tossing the seeds around it - as soon as they begin to splutter transfer them to a pestle and mortar and crush them lightly before sprinkling them over the apricots. Add all the remaining ingredients to the apricots, then heat gently, stirring all the time until the sugar crystals have dissolved. Next bring everything up to simmering point and simmer the chutney (covered) for 45 minutes-1 hour. The apricots and onion need to be quite tender, but it's important not to overcook the chutney or it will be too thick - the right consistency is like chunky rather than liquid jam. Remember, too, that it does thicken as it cools down. When it's ready, spoon into the warmed, sterilised jar and seal straightaway, then label when cold. This is best kept for 1 month before eating.

PLUM CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a large heavy bottomed saucepan.
• Heat the contents slowly until boiling point is reached.
• Turn the heat down until a consistent slow simmering point is reached.
• Cook for at least 1 hour but no more than 3 hours. Check on it every 30 minutes and stir occasionally.
• Towards the end of cooking time stir the chutney more to ensure that nothing sticks and burns at the bottom. It will thicken when it cools.
• Pour into sterilised containers and seal with airtight lids. Enjoy as part of a cheeseboard!