Fig Plum Chutney Food

ROASTED PLUM CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a medium (10-inch) ovenproof saute pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the plums, apple, brown sugar, orange juice, Port, cinnamon, star anise, mace, and salt. Bring to a boil on top of the stove, place in the oven, and roast for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced and syrupy.
• Remove from the oven and discard the star anise and cinnamon stick. (Be careful; I wrap a kitchen towel or oven mitt around the handle of the pan to remind myself that it's very hot!) Mash the fruit roughly with a dinner fork. Serve at room temperature or cold with cheese and crackers.

FRESH FIG CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine the vinegar, sugar, onion, ginger, mustard seeds, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, salt, allspice, and cloves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened and reduced by 2/3, forming a thick syrup. Add the figs and cook gently until the figs are very soft and beginning to fall apart and most of the liquid they've given off has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer the chutney to a non-reactive container and allow to come to room temperature before serving. The chutney may be made up to 3 weeks in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. (Alternately, hot chutney may be ladled into hot sterilized canning jars and processed in a hot-water bath according to manufacturer's directions.)

FRESH FIG CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a pan and bring to a gentle simmer for 1 hr, uncovered, stirring occasionally until it gets sticky and jammy. Spoon into a clean Kilner jar. That's it. You're done.

PINEAPPLE, FIG & GINGER CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Tip the pineapple into a food processor, then pulse until finely chopped. Tip into a large, wide pan with the apples, ginger, onion, figs, spices, vinegar and 2 tsp salt. Bring to the boil, stirring, then boil for 10 mins until the apples are softened.
• Add the sugar, then stir to dissolve. Simmer for 20-30 mins, stirring occasionally, until the chutney is thickened. Pot into warm sterilised jars, seal and label. Will keep for 6 months.

SPICED PLUM CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients, except the sugar, into a large pan and stir well. Bring slowly to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 mins, until the plums are tender.
• Stir in the sugar plus 2 tsp salt and keep stirring until it has dissolved. Boil the chutney for 20-30 mins, uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent it catching on the bottom, until it is thick and pulpy.
• Pot into sterilised jars (see Know-how, below), seal, label and store for at least 2 weeks before eating. Will keep for up to 6 months in a cool dark place.

STICKY FIG & PORT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Put all of the ingredients in a pan. Simmer over a medium heat for 25-30 mins until sticky and jammy, adding 50ml water if it begins to stick. Leave to cool. Will keep in a sterilised jar for up to four months.

FIG CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the red wine to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the figs, orange juice, honey, cayenne, rosemary and star anise and bring back to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the figs soften and the mixture thickens, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching on the bottom. Cool to room temperature before removing the anise and rosemary.