Chutney Report

Another Monday, the weeks seem to fly by and at times I feel I have nothing to show for all of those days. Well, thanks to you, my bloggy friends, I have some chutney on my pantry shelves. You see, I have found that if I tell you that I'm going to do something, then it pushes me to 'actually' do it.

Here is a little jar all done up and sitting on the two books that helped with the project. It started with Linsay's post, sharing a chutney recipe that originated from The New York Times Heritage Cook Book and after checking my bookshelves found that it actually lived at my house (Is it bad that I have so many cookbooks that I forget what I have?).

 I am pleased to report, the chutney turned out well, I even had it on my toast for breakfast yesterday, with a little bacon on it too, I might add. Of course, I had to test it on a Rye Crisp with a slice of Havarti cheese before I put it in the jars....just to make sure it was edible , ha!

 I did put it up in the 'old' way.. the way they still do it in many places out side of the U.S., by that I mean, you do not put it in a hot water bath after. Everything is very hot, the product is hot and the jars are sterile and hot and you fill the jars all of the way up.

 Some of you have raised eyebrows right now as I did the first time I read this on a British blog...The Quince Tree, and I left a questioning comment and in the end had a recommendation for The River Cottage Preserves Handbook. An interesting side note..When I looked the recipe up in my New York Times Heritage book..it also left out the hot water bath method, the book was published in 1972 and my book was printed in 1980, which makes me wonder when the U.S. decided to put a halt to that.

 In the end I can report that I will make this again, with a few minor changes. I would like a bit more texture so will add more raisins and cook up more rhubarb on the side with spices and sugar and cook until just done then add it at the end.

Aren't these flowers beautiful? They are the blossoms on my sage plant that comes back year after year, no matter how bad the winter is.

I was in hopes that I would beat the rain and get out to mow the backyard right after I posted this....As you can see, it will be indoor projects today. Not to fear, I don't have to look far from where I am seated to find something to do!

Have a happy Monday. xo