Smoky Tomato Chutney Recipes

SMOKY TOMATO CHUTNEY

Steps:

• First of all, drain the sun-blush tomatoes of excess oil and pat dry with kitchen paper. (If using mi-cuit tomatoes, there will be no need to drain them.) Then heat a small, heavy-based frying pan and dry-roast the coriander and mustard seeds over a medium heat, turning them over and stirring them round for 2 minutes to draw out their flavour. Then crush them together with a pestle and mortar - not very much; they just need to be broken up. Now, making the chutney is going to be a lot easier if you have a food processor. In the past, an old-fashioned mincer was used for chutneys, and a processor is even faster, but if you have neither, then you just need to chop everything uniformly small. Add the sun-blush (or mi-cuit) tomatoes to the food processor and chop till roughly ¼ inch (5 mm) in size. Then add the fresh tomatoes and process briefly until they are the same size. Now pour the whole lot into the pan. Next, add the garlic and onions to the processor and process these to about the same size. Then transfer them to join the tomatoes and add the crushed spices, pimentón, sugar, vinegar and salt. Bring everything up to simmering point, stirring all the time, then, when you have a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low and let it cook very gently, uncovered, for 3-3½ hours. It doesn't need a great deal of attention - just come back now and then to give it a stir to prevent it sticking. The chutney is ready when all the liquid has been absorbed and the mixture has thickened to a nice soft consistency. The way to test for the right moment is by using a wooden spoon to make a trail all the way across the top of the chutney - if the trail fills with vinegary juices, it's not ready; when the spoon leaves a trail that does not fill with juice, it is. You need to watch the chutney carefully at the end because undercooking will make it too sloppy and overcooking will make it dry. When it is ready, allow it to cool a little and pour it through the funnel into the hot, sterilised jars, filling them as full as possible. Cover each one straightaway with a waxed disc and seal with a vinegar-proof lid while it's still hot, but don't put a label on until it's cold. Store the chutney in a cool, dry, dark place for 8 weeks to mellow before using. To sterilise jars, wash the jars and lids in warm, soapy water, rinse well (again in warm water), then dry them thoroughly with a clean tea cloth, place them on a baking tray and pop them in a medium oven, gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C) for a minimum of 5 minutes. Add their contents while they are still hot.

SMOKY TOMATO CHILLI CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat the mustard and coriander seeds in a dry frying pan, stirring over a medium heat until they start to pop. Remove from the pan and lightly crush in a pestle and mortar or with a rolling pin. Set aside.
• Place prepared tomatoes, onions, chillies, garlic, ginger, sugar, vinegar, 1 tb smoked paprika, the crushed mustard and coriander seeds, 1 tsp salt and some chilli flakes (optional) into a large, stainless steel or enamel lined saucepan.
• Put a lid on the pan while bringing to the boil, then remove the lid, turn down the heat and simmer gently until the vegetables are soft (approx 1 hour).
• Take the saucepan off the heat and, using a handheld stick blender, reduce the mixture to a chunky puree.
• Taste, and add more chilli flakes or smoked paprika if desired.
• Put washed, rinsed and drained jars and lids on a baking tray and place into a low oven. Turn off the oven when the jars are hot, but leave them inside until you're ready to pot the finished chutney.
• Bring back to a boil and continue to gently cook, uncovered and stirring regularly (careful: it may splutter!), until there's no loose liquid when a wooden spoon is drawn across the bottom of the pot (approx. 1 hour).
• Taste seasoning again, adding more salt, chilli flakes or smoked paprika if needed.
• Put into clean, warm jars, lightly screw on the lids and leave to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, tighten the lids a little more if possible.When completely cold, test that you have an airtight seal by pressing the centre of the lids:- if it is already down or stays down then you do have an airtight seal- if the centre of the lid pops up again, see Recipe Notes below for what to do.
• Label and leave to mature for 6 weeks. Should keep for a year in a dark, cool place.