Brandied Fig Peach Chutney Recipes

PEPPERY FIG CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Place peppercorns on a cutting board. Using the bottom of a small saucepan, crack peppercorns. Tie the thyme in a bundle with kitchen twine. Place peppercorns, dried figs, shallots, red wine, red-wine vinegar, thyme bundle, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Set over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until figs are soft and the liquid has thickened, about 45 minutes.
• Remove and discard the thyme bundle. Stir in fresh figs. Cook, stirring frequently, until figs break down, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat.
• Transfer to a large bowl set over an ice bath to chill; store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 4 weeks.

FRESH FIG CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine the vinegar, sugar, onion, ginger, mustard seeds, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, salt, allspice, and cloves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened and reduced by 2/3, forming a thick syrup. Add the figs and cook gently until the figs are very soft and beginning to fall apart and most of the liquid they've given off has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer the chutney to a non-reactive container and allow to come to room temperature before serving. The chutney may be made up to 3 weeks in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. (Alternately, hot chutney may be ladled into hot sterilized canning jars and processed in a hot-water bath according to manufacturer's directions.)

PEACH CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Cut a small X in the base of each peach using a paring knife, then add to the boiling water and cook just long enough to loosen the skins, 20 to 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge into the ice water. Remove and peel off the skins, using a paring knife as needed. Pat dry, then chop the peaches into 1/4-inch pieces, discarding the pits.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, red onion, raisins, ginger, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the peaches and return to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are tender but still hold their shape and the liquid is syrupy, 30 to 35 minutes. If the chutney seems dry, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Let the chutney cool, then transfer to a small jar and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 2 weeks.

BRANDIED FIGS

Steps:

• Wash figs a few at a time by quickly dipping them in a bowl of cool water. (Do not soak.) Place in a single layer on a kitchen towel; drain. Sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar evenly in a wide nonreactive pot. Top with figs, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.
• Place pot over low heat, uncovered, and bring figs to a bare simmer. (Tilt pan from side to side or swirl a bit to help sugar dissolve, but do not stir, or fruit may get damaged.) Partially cover and simmer 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 4 hours.
• Repeat step 2 twice; figs should turn translucent in final simmering stage. (If necessary, allow to simmer longer than 10 minutes in final simmer, until they do.)
• Carefully spoon hot figs into hot sterilized canning jars (ideally pint-size or smaller). Bring syrup to a boil, skimming any scum that rises to surface. Turn off heat; stir in brandy. Taste; add more brandy as desired. Pour hot syrup over fruit to cover. Seal and process in a hot-water bath 10 minutes. Figs can be stored in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

FRESH FIG AND GINGER CHUTNEY FROM THE AUBERGE

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Uncover the pan and continue simmering for about an hour and a half, stirring often, until the chutney is reduced, thick and richly flavoured. If the chutney becomes too dry, add a splash of water. Taste and correct the seasoning, adding brown sugar, vinegar, or chilli flakes as needed. (Sometimes, depending on the water in the figs, this chutney can take over 2 hours to reduce.).
• Spoon into sterilised jars and seal. The chutney will keep for up to 8 or 9 months, unopened, in a cool, dark place. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 4 weeks.