Apricot Chutney

Apricot chutney is a sweet and tangy condiment that pairs well with a variety of dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak Apricots:

   • In a bowl, soak the dried apricots in water for a few hours or overnight until they become plump and rehydrated.

2. Prepare Chutney Base:

   • In a saucepan, combine the soaked apricots along with the soaking water, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.

3. Cook Apricots:

   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once it boils, reduce the heat to a simmer.

4. Add Ingredients:

   • Add the finely chopped onion, raisins, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and red chili flakes. Stir well.

5. Simmer:

   • Let the mixture simmer over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the chutney thickens and the apricots are soft. This may take about 20-30 minutes.

6. Adjust Seasoning:

   • Taste the chutney and adjust the seasoning. Add salt to taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness if needed.

7. Cool and Store:

   • Allow the apricot chutney to cool to room temperature.

   • Transfer the chutney to sterilized jars for storage.

8. Refrigerate:

   • Store the chutney in the refrigerator. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

9. Serve:

   • Apricot chutney is ready to be served. Enjoy it as a condiment with grilled meats, cheese, sandwiches, or Indian dishes.

Tips:

• You can use any type of apricot, but tart apricots will add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the chutney.
• For a smoother chutney, puree some or all of the mixture after cooking.
• This chutney can be enjoyed with cheese, crackers, grilled chicken, or pork.
• You can experiment with other spices like cardamom, star anise, or garam masala.
• Feel free to add a touch of acidity, sweetness, or spice based on your liking.

This apricot chutney can be versatile, and you can customize it to suit your taste preferences.