Cranberry Chutney has been my favorite cranberry for relish for more than twenty years. It's cranberry for grown-ups, thick with cranberries, dried fruit and toasted nuts, deepened with a splash of brandy. And it's a season-spanning chutney, good for Thanksgiving but also as a side during the weeks before Christmas.
Thanksgiving tables call out for cranberries, especially when turkey is the main course. While canned cranberry sauces are easy, a few simple recipes can make the difference between 'convenient' and 'delicious and convenient'.
For Thanksgiving this year, consider serving a duo of cranberry condiments.
For the traditionalists in the family, the first choice is your home’s customary cranberry dish, whatever it is. If it's a can of jellied cranberry? Go for it, it's tradition. But then stretch to something new.
May I suggest Cranberry Chutney both for the table and for a homemade food gift for teachers, neighbors and friends? My friend Cindy says she invites me to Thanksgiving dinner, knowing I'll bring an extra just for her! And one cranberry lover, who shall remain anonymous, has been known to take spoonsful straight from the fridge. It's that good!
My four-quart Dutch oven is the perfect size for making either a single batch or a double batch of Cranberry Chutney. It's big enough to allow room for the cranberries to puff up and pop a bit as they cook.
What’s the favorite cranberry concoction at your house? Share your recipe via recipes@kitchen-parade.com. If you like these Kitchen Parade recipes, consider a free e-mail subscription. Once or twice a week when a new recipe is published, you'll be notified via e-mail. This column was published in print in 2002 and published online for the first time in 2007.
RECIPE for CRANBERRY CHUTNEY
Hands-on time: 20 minutes
Total preparation time: 20 minutes
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (or 16 ounces if you prefer more cranberry taste)
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces
- 1 cup dried apricots, diced (or other diced dried fruit)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (about 1/2 knob), optional
- 2 tablespoons brandy, dark rum or other spirit, optional
-
GARNISH, OPTIONAL
- Additional toasted pecans and cranberries
Place water and sugar in a heavy four-quart kettle and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, rinse berries, removing any bruised or bad berries. Add berries to syrup and return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and let simmer until berries begin to pop.
Add remaining ingredients (except spirits) and simmer for 5 – 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture thickens.
Add spirits and simmer another 1 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool before serving or storing.
Can be made ahead of time, keeps for several weeks. Makes a great hostess gift!
More Ideas for Cranberry Relishes
More Long-Time Thanksgiving Recipes
~ Favorite Recipes for Thanksgiving's Top Twelve Vegetables ~
at my food blog, A Veggie Venture
More Cranberry Recipes
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~ raisins ~
~ pecans ~
~ dried apricots ~
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The recipe for Cranberry Orange Relish has moved,please see
Cranberry Orange Relish with Fresh Ginger
© Copyright 2002 Kitchen Parade
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Anyway, here is the Ocean Spray recipe, and it's foolproof!
Heidi
Cranberry Chutney
1 - 16 oz. can Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
1/2 c. golden raisins
1/2 c.+ 2 T diced and peeled apple
1/4 c.+ 2 T sugar
1/4 c. + 2 T vinegar (I use rice vinegar - it's milder)
1/8 teas. allspice
1/8 teas. ginger (powdered)
1/8 teas. cinnamon
Dash of ground cloves
Juice of 1/2 lime
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, uncovered, until apples are tender and sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 cups. Keeps in fridge about 2-3 weeks. Great with roasted fowl or pork, and on turkey sandwiches, too. Makes a great hostess gift. ENJOY!
As for whether chutney 'officially requires' vinegar, you may well be right. This is such a favorite old recipe that it's one of the very first recipes published in Kitchen Parade, when I was still learning my way around food writing and kept recipes' titles as I found them. I'm still learning, of course, so thanks for adding this tidbit!
Lydia ~ Ah yes, this is a 'forever' recipe for me too. Last year I broke down and tried something new, but as a third option!
Susan ~ Really! I wonder how many more there are like you that choose cranberry first.
Last year I was in MN for Christmas and pigged out on them - it was wonderful! I'll enjoy them, vicariously, through your recipes!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=844268
and here's where I blogged about it last year:
http://jonskifarms.wordpress.com/2006/11/25/mashed-potatoes-and-cranberry-chutney/
Also, Allana, where are you from? My mother is a Kellogg too (originally from Michigan but far distant from those folks now)
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Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. But I also love hearing your reactions, your curiosity, even your concerns! When you've made a recipe, I especially love to know how it turned out, what variations you made, what you'll do differently the next time. ~ Alanna