English Chutney

English chutney was a condiment that was originally born to be served with England’s famous curry dishes. However nowadays, the chutneys can be used for all sorts of different purposes.

A chutney is basically a spicy, sweet, sour or savoury relish that can be made of just about anything. The ones classically served with Indian food are made with tamarind sauce. Some are very spicy and made with peppers and other types are cool and made from mint.  Usually they are served beside a curry and tend to be quite sweet, sticky and chunky in nature.  Classically a chutney contains fruit, sugar, vinegar and a selection of spices.

Chutneys are also quite easy to make. They do not contain pectin. They are made with vinegar and thickened by slow cooking. Just about anything can go into a chutney as a base. Fresh fruit such as rhubarb, pear, apple work to make a great chutney. Dried fruits like raisins, dates and dried apricots are also delicious in a chutney.  Chutney can also be made out of red or green tomatoes, goji berries and other exotic fruit.

Chutneys are not just a condiment anymore. They have snuck their way into every day cooking in Britain. It is not uncommon at all to find a bit of chutney served with an English muffin or a scone during a British tea. You will often find a bit of chutney served along with olives and other snacks on a cheese plate.

Chutneys are excellent combined with sharp cheese on crackers or baked with brie inside pastry.  Chicken stuffed with goat cheese and chutney is also a favourite gourmet dish served at trendy London parties.

There are classic chutneys that are made specifically to enjoy with an oatcake or a simple muffin. This would be something like a pear or apple chutney. However English cooks have really stretched their imaginations to make incredible variations of chutney such as Chipotle, Bean and Chili Chutney, Mango Chickpea chutney, beetroot and red onion chutney, plum and ale chutney, carmelized onion and blood orange chutney and black olive and orange chutney.

England is in love with home made chutney and you can find everything from peach to green tomato to fig chutney at fall fairs, craft fairs and markets.  In fact shopping for the most unique chutney that you can find is a bit of a hobby in the U.K..