Wednesday 23 April 2008

a chutney-licious special delivery for moi!

'ding-dong' there was a goodie-laden ring at the door yesterday morning by the postman, who reluctantly handed over my jar of chutney (he knew so because it was written on the box - seems like i needed to worry less about the garden leprechauns and more about him!) which comes to me courtesy of McQuade's and Blake Makes

i enjoyed the sight of it nicely packaged up in the box, before i took the plunge and delved in to discover what lay within...

and there it was...in all it's fabulous glory...my jar of chutney and you can't imagine how thrilled i was because basically this stuff is not available on our little plot of the planet and so to be able to get my hands on some...well....suuuuu-weet!

the ingredients listed on the jar were dried fig, cider vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, raisins, apples, lemon zest, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, chilies and cayenne...mouthwatering...

i opened it up and took a peek inside...LOVED the look of the chutney at first glance...it's big, bold and very organic looking...just the way i like my chutney (and we are big on chutney on this plot of the planet) not all pulverised down to baby food consistency but chunky, meaty and so you can see what actually went into it. the smell was very tantalising...a great aroma that seemed to capture all the flavours listed on the jar...i was smitten...

so there is only ONE way to first and foremost test a chutney and that is the good ol'-fashioned way...some home-made bread, mature cheddar cheese and the chutney on top...add to this a sprinkle of sunshine and really...it just doesn't get any simpler and better than this...

i absolutely loved it! it was so tasty...i particularly enjoyed the sweetness of the fig contrasting with the tang of the ginger and the acidic taste of the cider vinegar. it perfectly complemented the maturity of the cheese and the homemade tomato bread. fabulous! the problem now is finding a decent hiding place to store it until i can bake it into a cupcake...i live in a household of serious cheese and chutney fans (our favourite flavour of crisps is...Walkers Sensations Vintage Cheddar and Red Onion Chutney). so need i say more...

now what did i say i was going to make with this again?...oh ya...the next weeks supply of mature cheddar cheese and chutney sandwiches, right? RIGHT? oh so tempting...but no...i've got to decide between my sweet ricotta chutney cupcakes or savoury goat's cheese (or mature cheddar) chutney cupcakes...so what do you think? maybe you can help me decide...

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

looking forward to seeing how you incorporate the chutney into a savour cupcake!

great pics btw!

G said...

Ohhhh... cheddar/chutney cupcakes sounds so good!

What an imaginative baker you are. That last picture is gorgeous. Do you ever try that combo but with a digestive biscuit instead of the bread with a bit of butter smeared on?

Unknown said...

i can feel the exxcitement!!! good on you.

Anonymous said...

Great post! I love play-by-play posts! This sandwich is so my speed. I love kick-you-in-the-teeth charp cheddar, and nothing, i mean nothing beats homemade bread. Sounds like you got a little jar of heaven. So happy you're happy!

Unknown said...

hi alison, thanks again for the cutney. loved it...it's amazing...how will i live here in ireland without more of it???

hey blog princess - i'm leaning towards the chutney/cheddar cupcakes too and yes i LOVE cheese on digestive biccies...very good combo!

hi arfi...yes! i can't wait to bake up a storm with the stuff!

blake, thanks again...i DID get a little jar of heaven. can't wait to get those cupcakes in the oven...tomorrow, tomorrow...gosh hope there will still be chutney left by then :)

Anonymous said...

I love receiving packages too! It lends such an excitement to the day-especially if it's food related. Could I cast my humble vote for the goat's cheese or mature cheddar chutney cupcakes? I think they'd go well with the robust chutney :)

Unknown said...

hey lorraine, yup i think the savoury cupcake might just be the way to go...after all i haven't made any savoury ones before so that would be a real challenge!

tennesue said...

Can you please send me a slice of the bread, cheddar, and chutney. My vote goes for the savory...and if I could I'd be on the next flight to "help" you taste test.

Unknown said...

hi tennesue, would love to send you a piece of the bread, cheese and chutney...only not sure what it might end up looking like once it got to wherever you are :)