Monday, November 23, 2009

Spiced Cranberry Chutney

Cranberries are not just pretty berries or just a visual treat. These berries, that are cousins to blueberries, are also known for their abundant health benefits . You may have already heard that cranberries are valued for their ability to prevent and treat urinary tract infection. But did you also know that cranberries have recently been recognized for their ability to prevent formation of kidney stones and their ability to lower LDL cholesterol (the bad one) and increase HDL cholesterol (the good one). That was something that surprised me when I first read it....

The good thing is dried cranberries have always been a staple in my pantry. In addition to snacking on these dried cranberries regularly, I also use them in my bakes as I did in my Orange flavored cranberry oatmeal bar. Fresh cranberries sadly, have never caught my attention or interest until this time. Available only around Thanksgiving, these tart, healthy and pretty cranberries suddenly caught my interest recently and I could not wait to try some chutney with it.

Although I used the reference of this chutney when I started out, I modified the recipe quite a bit to suit our palate. While making the chutney I tasted a little of it when it was almost ready and it seemed to be begging for some heat from red chilli powder to balance out the tart and the sweet flavors. I loved the subtle flavors of this chutney, the spices are mild and toned down and there is just a hint of heat from the chilli powder, overall this chutney reminded me a little of the south Indian apple pachadi / chutney .



Cranberry Chutney 1

Click here for a printable view of this recipe

Ingredients and Method to make Spiced Cranberry Chutney

1 12 oz packet of fresh cranberries which yielded about 3 cups of cranberries (washed well and drained)
1 red sweet apple skinned, cored and cut into small pieces
1/2 cup of dried apricots cut into small pieces
1/2 cup of dark raisins
1/2 cup sugar + 4 tbsp sugar
1 cup water
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (increase to 1 tsp if you like more cinnamon flavor )
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder (or according to taste) (optional)

In a large heavy bottomed pan, assemble all the ingredients mentioned above, place on heat and allow it to come to a boil.

Lower heat and let it simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes, stirring regularly. (Total time it took me from start to finish was about 25 mins)

When the mixture starts to thicken it is done.

Cool and place in glass jar or glass dish and serve

Refrigerate the unused portion and use within a week or so.

Notes

Please do not use a plastic container, dish or jar to keep or store the cranberry as I have heard that the cranberry reacts with the plastic. Safely use a glass or steel container for storage and serving of cranberry chutney



Cranberry Chutney on Foodista

20 comments :

Priya Suresh said...

Tangy and sweet chutney looks prefect and yummy!!

Vrinda said...

Gr8 chutney..i hav some fresh cranberries here,will giv a try

Gita Jaishankar said...

Some interesting facts about cranberry Usha...I too make cranberry chutney, a kind of our tomato chutney version in my blog...yours sounds tasty...have to try your version soon :)

Preeti Kashyap said...

Wow! I cld have never thought of this one...great click and recipe. It is a reminiscent of the apple pachidi

Cham said...

Good and spicy one!

Nandinis food said...

Colorful and spicy chutney! Nice version Usha:)

preethvijay said...

hi usha, thnks for visitng my blog and for ur wonderful comments. Ur blog s juz awesome lady. Wil be visitng often. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!

Andhra Flavors said...

healthy chutney. looks colorful!

Dershana said...

it seems like a lot of u bloggers at US are talking cranberries :-)here, we get them, mostly, dry and priced at a premium. The chutney looks beautiful.

Unknown said...

this looks so delicious...loely colour...

lata raja said...

Just read another version of cranberries in chutney in another blog. Your pachchidi stlye is very refreshing.

Finla said...

Beautiful such a lovely colour too.

Shama Nagarajan said...

different try..delicious

Suparna said...

nice colour and combination of tastes seems the interesting twist :)
nice click

Deepthi Shankar said...

nice chutney

Anupama said...

Looks like a lovely yet spicy home-made spread... very nice!

Uma said...

mmm. I can imagine the taste!! Tangy and spicy...Yum!!

Shwetha said...

Thank you for your kind note and for leading me to your lovely space here. Great work!

Spice said...

Love cranberry chutney, did made two batches couple of weeks back one with sugar & another with only one spoon of sugar....u might like....here's the link to the post...
http://spicebuds.blogspot.com/2009/11/karonde-ki-chutney-using-cranberries.html

http://spicebuds.blogspot.com/2009/11/cranberry-chutney-or-sauce-part-2-also.html

Soma said...

What a beautiful color. This sounds a lot like the Bengali chutney too.. the kind we make with fruits but sweet and spicy and tangy. Love it!

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