Holiday Gifts From Your Kitchen

Homemade Cranberry Chutney is an Easy, Cheap and Elegant Offering

© Kelly Donlea

Nov 4, 2008
Cranberry Chutney, rosevita
Less money spent, offset by a bountiful personal effort create thoughtful gifts that are appreciated by all who receive.

The best thing about this present is that when making it at home, you can stretch ingredients to double, triple or quadruple your recipe, making in one day, gifts that will cover dozens of lucky recipients, including relatives, bus drivers, teachers, neighbors, coworkers, helpers and all who deserve a bit of thanks. Save money this holiday season by making a sensible and delicious homemade Cranberry Chutney.

If you're not familiar with chutney, it's a fruit relish type condiment that pairs sweet and spicy flavors to create a fabulous accompaniment to meats, cheeses salads and other dishes. The following recipe uses canned cranberries which are inexpensive and easy to find in most areas.

Once prepared, Cranberry Chutney in glass jars makes a beautifully presented gift when wrapped with ribbon and homemade recipe cards. Be creative to make the gift your own, and the joy of your lucky gift-getters.

Cranberry Chutney Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ginger spice
  • 1 tablespoon diced garlic
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 orange or 2 clementines, peeled and diced
  • The juice of 1 lemon, or 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice

Directions

  1. Add cider, garlic and spices to a large pot on stove. Bring to a boil stirring often, and reduce to medium-low heat. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  2. Add cranberries, sugar, citrus and lemon juice. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 2 - 3 hours.

Once prepared, can your chutney using mason jars available at your local food warehouse or craft store or online via Amazon or other retailers. Can your chutney using the National Center for Home Food Preservation's USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning guidelines.

Chicken Salad

Ingredients (for 4 servings)

  • 2 cups cooked chicken
  • 1 large apple, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 1/4 onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons cranberry chutney
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon parsely
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Mix all ingredients and chill. Serve with lettuce on tortillas or rolls.

Sauce

Drizzle warm cranberry Chutney over cooked fish or sliced pork tenderloin as a ideal flavorful sauce.

Turkey Sandwiches

For leftover holiday turkey or everyday turkey sandwiches, mix an equal desired amount of cranberry chutney and mayonnaise for topping. Chutney can also be used as a substitute for cranberry sauce to accompany turkey.

Hors D’Ouvres

  • Drizzle over molded cream cheese to form an elegant cheese ball. Serve with crackers.
  • Serve as-is in a small dish with a spreading knife along with a selection of crackers and cheese.

The copyright of the article Holiday Gifts From Your Kitchen in Crafts is owned by Kelly Donlea. Permission to republish Holiday Gifts From Your Kitchen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Cranberry Chutney, rosevita
       


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