Valentine’s Day Gift Idea - Plum Chutney

I made this plum chutney in the middle of November and then hid it in the cellar to be able to offer it for Valentine’s Day. We love chutneys and this red one is a pure delight and quite original too. I had never heard of plum chutney, so I just experimented and love it a lot. It is very quick and easy to make, you just can’t go wrong.

Ingredients (makes 6 small jars)

1.5kg plums

1 onion

250g of yellow sugar

1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon clove powder

1 teaspoon ginger powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

250ml of cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Remove the stones from the plums and cut them in half. Finely chop the onion.

2. Put the plums, chopped onion, all the spices, sugar and vinegar in a pan and season with a little salt and pepper. Stir well to mix together all the ingredients and bring to the boil.

3. Reduce the heat to minimum and cook about 30 to 40 minutes until it is a soft, very aromatic mixture.

4. Place chutney, while still hot, in previously sterilised jars, close and store in a dry place.

5. Decorate with a pretty sticker and write down the serving suggestions.

To sterilise jars, wash and thoroughly rinse them in hot water. Place wet jars in a low oven to dry off and keep warm. Fill with hot chutney and cover with a waxed disc (waxed side down). Leave to cool, place a cellophane disc over the top and seal with an elastic band.