Sunday 15 September 2013

Rambling on . . . What to do on a rainy Sunday . . .

Make Spiced Damson Chutney of course.

SDC18755

The recipe ‘a la Delia’ says simmer for 3 hours.

6 hours later and still all the liquid hasn’t reduced.  Taking into account the raisins, and two different lots of sugar that I had to buy especially, plus 6 hours worth of electricity, surely this chutney is now into the luxury bracket – maybe I should try and sell it to Fortnum and Mason.

My Mother Earth status is seriously undermined.

Sloppy chutney anyone?

30 comments:

  1. I've tried to make various chutneys in the past and most of mine were sloppy for some reason. I don't understand it as I follow the same recipe as my mum and hers reduce and mine don't. I'm sure yours will taste lovely even if it is sloppy :-)

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    1. Sometimes it works, sometimes not - I have to wait 3 months before I can try it.

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  2. I'm so glad it's not just me....

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    1. I followed the recipe to the letter - Delia, I want a word with you.

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  3. Runny or not the aroma of chutney must go a long way to banish the dismal weather.

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    1. Not so sure about that Susan - the whole house stank of vinegar.

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  4. Props to you ... I can"t get past the grapes ! lol

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  5. I suppose you could just re-name it damson sauce!

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  6. I wonder whether we could all set up a charity singalong or something to raise funds to fly Sue from The Quince Tree blog over to sort it out?

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    1. Excellent idea - she could be a roving problem sorter-outerer.

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  7. It's so frustrating isn't it. I think the best one that turned out well was my Christmas chutney with apples, onions, sultanas and spices. Now..... I feel the need to start making it. Thanks Elaine. Have a good week.
    Patricia x

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    1. Sounds good Patricia - my Mediterranean Chutney that I made last year turned out perfectly.

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  8. Last year I made jalapeño jelly that did not set up. T his year the pepper plants died. We all have these failures and sometimes we figure out why and fry it again, other times we say forget it. Maybe the syrup will be tastes.

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    1. I realise this is the way of things - I still have three jars of chutney left over from last year - so we won't starve.

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  9. I've had the opposite effect with a Delia recipe - we made her marmalade a few years ago following the recipe to the letter and it was so solid you could slice it. I have to confess that this year's gooseberry chutney is a little on the runny side but very tasty:)

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    1. Ah so our Delias' recipes aren't always perfect then.

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  10. My mom has a Chutney candle and I love the scent!

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    1. How on earth do they get the scent of chutney in a candle - one of the mysteries of the universe I expect.

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  11. I have that sometimes with jam which remains sloppy, I really do not know why, for another time it is perfect. Anyway, I think you can use it for one or another dish.

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    1. I'm always that jam making isn't always as easy as it sounds. People have been doing it for centuries - you would think we would have perfected it by now.

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  12. No thanks, I really don't like sloppy chutney or jam. I'm rather glad than I don't try doing this as I'm sure mine would be just the same. Flighty xx

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    1. I wish I hadn't bothered now and if you're not careful when making chutney you can ruin your saucepan to boot.

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  13. Oh my....YES PLEASE!!! I LOVE all things dmason and am rather envious of yours!xxxx

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    1. I should have posted my damson crop to you - you would probably have made a better job of the chutney than I did.

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    2. Oh...I would have given it to my next door neighbour who would have done all sorts of fab things with it ...then handed it back...for me to enjoy!!!! xxxx

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  14. I bet it tastes just as good sloppy!

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    1. It had better taste good after all that trouble.

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