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My inspiration for creating new recipes comes from the craziest places. It might be a beautiful display of orange, yellow and red peppers all piled up and glistening, just beckoning me as I walk into a local market. Sometimes it's traveling to foreign countries or even different cities here in the US. It might be a fun new restaurant, an interesting magazine, a visit to a local orchard or a farmer's market. Often, it's simply something I find on a super sale at the grocery store. And crazy as it sounds, sometimes I just wake up in the morning with recipe ideas swirling and twirling in my brain, and I can hardly wait to get to the kitchen to try them out.
This time was a bit different. Nothing very grand or story-worthy. It was just plain old necessity, as they say, that was the mother of this invention. I was preparing a birthday dinner last week for my wonderful husband. I had invited family and friends and was scurrying to shop, prep and cook that day as I had been out of town the previous week and hadn't had much time to plan. Things were rolling along fairly smooth when I realized I had totally forgotten about an appetizer.
My husband and family love appetizers, and, since it was a special occasion, I wanted something fun, unique and delicious. Oh, and fast. Time was slipping by. I checked my resources. I had some really nice cheese and a supply of crackers. A bit boring, but it could work. Now, if there was something else to add a bit of zip. The apples and pears in my crisper drawer gave me an idea; how about a chutney? Hmmmm, that sounded great as a gourmet touch to the plain-Jane cheese and cracker tray.
I grabbed a bit of this and that and went to work. I combined pepper jelly and orange marmalade with diced apples, pears and onion for a bit of heat and a touch of sweet citrus flavor. More layers of flavor were added with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and a splash of soy sauce. A short simmer on the stove top to soften the fruit and meld the flavors came next. I was almost done. The finishing touch for a bit of freshness was a handful of finely chopped cilantro, added just before serving.
Everyone went crazy over this Apple and Pear Chutney. I filled the bowl twice and worried that no one would want my dinner. The next day I layered it with chicken sausage and melting cheese in between artisan bread slices for a fabulous panini lunch. A few days later I served it as a wonderful accompaniment to grilled pork.
I knew this was a keeper for sure. I recreated the chutney, this time carefully measuring (no dashes, or splashes or handfuls), so that you too could have fun with this easy, delicious, unique chutney. It comes together so quickly, and I love that you don't even have to peel the apples and pears.
In addition to the ways I used it, this Apple & Pear Chutney would also make lovely gifts packaged in pretty jars with a log of goat cheese or cream cheese and a box of gourmet crackers or a bag of homemade crackers. And with the holiday season coming up, things will probably get a bit crazy at your place too .......... you never know, this chutney may just save your day, like it did mine!
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Apple & Pear Chutney
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 medium clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 medium apple, cored and cut in ¼ inch dice
- 1 medium pear, cored and cut in ¼ inch dice
- ¼ cup red pepper jelly, you could use any color pepper jelly or use all orange marmalade and a teaspoon or two of Sriracha or other hot pepper sauce, depending on your taste.
- ½ cup orange marmalade
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup apple juice or water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium size saucepan. Add red onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add apples, pears, pepper jelly, marmalade, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, brown sugar and soy sauce. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until apples and pears are soft and the liquid is syrupy.
- Add raisins and cook another minute.
- Add chopped cilantro just before serving. Stir to combine.
Notes
Serve with cheese and crackers. Spoon over goat cheese or cream cheese and serve with crackers or crostini. Serve with roast or grilled pork. Also makes a wonderful spread for panini's with cheese and smoked turkey, ham or chicken sausage.
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I have a half bushel of both pears and apples arriving this week and I am so excited to try this recipe! I have not made a single one of your recipes that did not turn out great. I will be doing food baskets for the holidays for certain. AND, I so enjoy the Scripture and the motivational music while in the kitchen. That and Casting Crowns. Thank you again for the wonderful recipes and ideas.
That's great, Susan! Thank you for the kind comment!
Apple & Pear Chutney. Sounds delish. Are there labels for this please
Hi Michelle, we do not have labels for this recipe at this time.
i hope you answer comments/questions. i'd like to can this recipe for use throughout the winter months. have you tried canning it?
Hi Sandra, I have not tried canning this recipe. It does freeze well
I just made because I one lone pear and 1 apple. I used dried cranberries that’s what I had for hot I don’t like sirachia so I had gochugaru a sweet hot Korean sauce it came out great. Thanks for the inspiration
What a great way to use your lonely fruit! I love gochugaru, that was a great substitution. I'm so happy you enjoyed this chutney 🙂
All I wanted was the recipe. Does anyone read all that blurb about your inspiration and whatever else.?
Your Apple and Pear Chutney will be perfect for serving during our Thanksgiving holiday!
Yay! Enjoy, Julie!
Done, thanks again for noticing!
Oh thanks, I did add 2 T of brown sugar, I will correct the recipe!
Looks delicious!! What a versatile chutney!! Pairs perfectly with pork!
Not only does this look luscious, it would definitely make a wonderful gift!
This looks wonderful! I
Wow...sounds amazing. I'm always looking for new ideas for holiday gifts; thanks for this one!
Hi Chris! Very seasonal, this delicious chutney you've made! Happy Birthday to your husband, have a great week 🙂
that's really brilliant , chris! i mean you can just grab things from your kitchen and comes out with this great chutney..on impulse! sounds really wonderful with crackers and cheese ..and sandwiches..all that you mentioned! ..mames me hungry now 🙂
This sounds terrific. What a great last-minute solution!
This looks terrific! Great way to use seasonal fruit, and such lovely flavor. Looks terrific too - so important because eye appeal is half of eating! Good stuff - thanks.
However you ended up being inspired...this was truly a GRADE A inspired recipe. Love the pics.
I just happen to have pepper jelly:)
Thank you for all the great recipes Chris:)
It looks mouthwatering with all these delicious ingredients you have used!
Happy Sunday,dear!
Sounds delish. I said you were a magician.
thid chutney look really delocious!!xo
A great chutney is always at the top of my list! Yours looks simply divine. A must make!!
What a wonderful fall chutney, I'd love this on homemade bread topped with brie!
Dear Chris, your Apple and Pear Chutney looks like the perfect condiment to prepare for family and friends - we are constantly on the look-out for these lovely appetizer recipes and this one does not only look and sound utterly fabulous but I love the whole color scheme and the fact that it is so seasonal!
Thanks for posting, dear friend - it always makes me happy to come here and take a look at all your wonderful inspired recipes!
This Chutney looks fabulous Chris! I love all the combinations of flavors along with the red pepper jelly. No wonder you had to refill the container twice with the family over!
Thank you, all of you for your kind words, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Sounds wonderful!
Leslie Gagne
What amazing culinary creativity you have, Chris! I'm awestruck by your talents.
You are just a born Chef, I could never do this. LOVE the crock.
Oh Chris, This is beautiful! I love pear and apple together and in a chutney is perfect! I could think of thousands of ways to eat it up!! Best with a spoon! 🙂
This is so YUM! Red pepper jelly...any substitute suggestion?
Hi Angie, actually any color pepper jelly would work or you could use all orange marmalade and a teaspoon or two or Sriracha or any type of hot pepper sauce.
That picture of the cracker and cheese has me feeling so hungry!
Sounds good Chris, all kinds of great flavors in this! Love the marmalade:@)
Mmmhhhh I love it!!
What a pretty display, Chris! I love chutneys and this one is a must-try!