A delicious rich and fruity chutney which goes perfectly with mature cheddar and other hard cheeses.
Ingredients:
4 cups cider vinegar
2 cups light muscovado sugar
2 cups beer/ale – I use organic honeydew ale
2 cups of chopped dates
1 cup chopped figs
2 cups of raisins
2 onions, chopped
8 large pears (or apples) – peeled, deseeded and chopped
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp all spice
2 tsp mustard seeds
Method:
Soak the dried fruit in the beer for 20 minutes so it gets soft and sozzled. Put the vinegar and sugar in a large pan and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Tip in the dried fruits and beer and add the remaining ingredients. Stir and simmer for around an hour, or until the mixture is thick and glossy (this can take more like 2 hours). Spoon into sterilized jars and leave for a month before eating. If well stored, it can last for years!