11/21/09

The Best Cranberry-Tangerine Chutney

One of the reasons I love food blogs has been discovering treasured recipes others consider to be the best they have made, served and eaten.

A fellow blogger, Cathy, over at Wives & Knives, just posted this chutney as one the most treasured recipes from her mother's files.  You know those are the best ones.  When I looked at the list of ingredients I just knew it would be good.  However, I did not know it would exceed all my expectations.  It is absolutely fantastic and out of this world.  There are also no cooking skills required to make this.  You just combine ingredients and simmer until done.  Nothing could be easier.

Everything about this chutney screams Thanksgiving and the holidays.  I'm pretty sure I can throw away all my other cranberry sauce or chutney recipes; this is now my hands down favorite.

Cathy emphasizes to include all of the ingredients such as the curry powder.  Even if you don't like curry....it does not taste typical...it's a background flavor, enhancing other flavors present.  Also, do not leave out the candied ginger because you think you can't find any.  Candied (crystallized) ginger is everywhere now.  I remember years ago only being able to get it at Williams-Sonoma but now I see it in the baking aisle and in the bulk food section of most grocery stores.  Don't leave it out, it adds an incredible taste.

Cathy also suggested pouring this chutney over cream cheese for an appetizer, which would be delicious as well.

Thanks Cathy for sharing this amazingly wonderful recipe.




Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy pot.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.




This keeps indefinitely in the fridge and will easily form a seal if poured, very hot, into small, decorative jelly jars...which I am going to do.

Cranberry-Tangerine Chutney
Adapted from Wives with Knives

3 cups fresh cranberries
1 large tart apple, cored, peeled and chopped
(I used Granny Smith)
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3 Tablespoons candied (crystallized) ginger, chopped
(Do not substitute)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon curry powder
(Do not leave this out)
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 cans mandarin orange slices, drained

Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy pot.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This keeps indefinitely in the fridge and will easily form a seal if poured, very hot, into small, decorative jelly jars...which I am going to do.

11/16/09

Gr Grand daughter, Baby Ryin




 Isn't she the prettiest little thing? I haven't seen her or held her yet but they have sent lotz of pictures and I'm waiting and waiting.  There are so many things to keep us busy and they live so far away.

I'm having trouble now with my energy fairy. It is frustrating!  Frequently Ms. Energy Fairy and I need to have a little heart-to-heart about why she isn't holding up her responsibilities. As far as I'm concerned it's her job to be charged and ready to roll on a moment's notice. Just because I've dealt with a stressful problem earlier in the day and I'm feeling emotionally drained, she's supposed to find a way to make sure I'm perky, perky, perky all day long. I have lotz of things I want to do.  My thing is to see how many activities I can stuff into one day, Ms. Energy Fancy-pants is suppose to make sure I have enough energy to do them. "No excuses," I say. Make friends with the Energizer Bunny, offer to do his laundry, or give him a foot rub--his feet must be killing him by the end of the day. I don't care what it takes, I want my Energy Fairy to be charged and ready for whatever and whenever I want to do something. Yet, I assure you she isn't....I can work like crazy all morning...come afternoon, I'm done. Now, the holidays are just around the corner.  Joy and Peace to the World !!

11/15/09

Diamonds & Stones

Some days are diamonds, some days are stones....Just listening to John Denver singing...How true, how true are those words.  Some days I feel great and some days, I don't.  The aches and pains move in and I can't exercise or take my long walks and have to face my dogs looks if disgust..Some days I have great ideas and some days I don't.  Life has it's joys and sorrows too.  Sometimes the mists will hide our view....have to keep looking up.

11/14/09

Apple Trees

Just want to share some of the apples from our apple tree in Sweet Home, OR. They were so gloriously bright and red this year, it just put joy in your heart to see and look at them and they made wonderful applesauce too.
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11/2/09

A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT

I found - Artistsnetwork.com a great place to visit. It is The Artist's Magazine . The Pastel Journal . Watercolor Journal . Blogs . Articles . Art Work . Videos. etc. All kinds of useful information. Enjoy!!

in reference to: Artists Network - The Leading Online Fine Art Resource for Artists (view on Google Sidewiki)