Cranberry Apple Chutney Recipe ~ New Holiday Favorite

Do you ever have a combination of flavors in your mind that you just know would be good together?  I do. When this happens to me, I can't really rest until I try it.  Maybe it's just me, but ever since the subject of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations came up this year, the when, where, who's home, the what we'll have conversations started circulating, I have had a flavor in mind that I wanted to try.
I always make my own Cranberry Sauce. I never have enjoyed the 'canned' versions, and so as an adult, preparing my own feasts for the holidays, I have made my own.  Nothing complicated, just fresh 1 -12oz bag of cranberries, the zest of 2 fresh oranges and their juice, some of the chopped up peel popped in while cooking with some sugar and spices. I love it! I love the smell of Christmas it spreads throughout the house. Nothing else quite has that smell. It excites me for the upcoming time with family and friends.

That being said, that was not what was on my mind this year. I kept thinking I wanted something a little more. A little more substance, a lot more dimension, more flavors and a bit sturdier, for lack of a better word. I wanted to incorporate more flavors so that it would work for the Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas feeds but also be wonderful on its own, or for a wonderful appetizer. 

So, I began with my experimentation on a recipe for a Cranberry Apple Chutney. Just what is a chutney, you may ask?

Well, it is usually defined as a "sweet or savory but usually spicy condiment, originally from eastern India, made from a variety of fruits and/or vegetables". Often combined with nuts and used with cheese. Yep, that was what I wanted!  The experiment led to this quite yummy recipe that I'm sharing with you today.  I can say, from first-hand experience that it is simply divine. As a matter of fact, I had some for lunch today! Yum!  If you have never played with your recipes, may I humbly suggest that you do?!  You might be surprised at just how good your instincts are. 

I've created a recipe card, here, that you can save. Please note:   these are only the ingredients I used.   Please feel free to make it your own and adapt it to your tastes!

For those of you for which any type of cooking is foreign, I'd like to give a little instruction on how to cook/make the Chutney. The first place to start is assembling your ingredients, followed by cleaning your Cranberries. Once you have rinsed your berries well under some water pour them into a good cooking pot. (I use my copper candy pot) Add the zest and juice of your two oranges. (Quality counts here. Don't skimp on these ingredients, you don't need much)  Add your finely chopped apple, onion, sugar, and honey and turn your heat to a medium/medium-high temp. to start cooking and dissolving your sugar. ( I always chop up the peel from my oranges and place them in the pot while I'm cooking, they are easily removed once you've gotten all the flavor out of them)

Once the juices from the cranberries start to release, about 15-20 minutes, add the cloves, cinnamon, raisins, and cranberries. Some people find cinnamon and cloves strong, I don't, but I recommend starting with 1/2 tsp and adding to taste. If you want your chutney to be a little looser, simply add a couple tablespoons of orange or apple juice to your hot mixture.  Continue cooking on medium heat for about another 20-30 minutes.  This recipe makes approximately 3-1/2-4 cups, so you'll want to scoop some into mason jars while hot and place lids on so it will keep.

Done this way, your chutney will last you through the Holiday season.

I had some of my warm chutney over some Brie Cheese on a couple of slices of French bread for lunch today, topped with some chopped walnuts for that little extra texture and flavor. You may prefer Pecans! (see my sneak pic below) but it is equally as good on a Turkey sandwich.

 Pretty much any appetizer you can make with cranberry sauce you can make with this Chutney.

(when it's done)
I hope that you enjoy the flavors as much as I do.

  It's a wonderful time of the year to share something just like this with your friends and family.  If you wanted to double this recipe, I think it would be an awesome gift to share. Thank you for taking the time to visit with me today. Let me know how you like my Chutney in the comments. I'd love to hear your experience! 

Many blessings,

Theresa 

I will be sharing with:  

The Charm of Home, How Sweet the Sound, Inspiration Monday, Life Sew Savory, One More Time Events, Snickerdoodle Sunday, Between Naps On the Porch, Amaze Me Monday, Over the Moon, Abbotts at Home, Create, Bake, Grow & Gather Party, The Scoop @ Stone Gable

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