Wednesday, October 8, 2008

An Unusual Marriage


I would've never thought that tomato and apple would make a good combination, would you?

Last week as we entered the home of Abigail's piano teacher, a wonderful aroma met us at the door. Abigail's teacher explained that she had made chutney the night before. When I told her I'd never tasted chutney, she ushered me into the kitchen, grabbed a spoon from the drawer and a jar from the refrigerator. She hovered as I tasted, exclaiming, "Well, you may not like it at all!" But I did like it! Very much! In fact, I asked her for the recipe. Yesterday as we arrived for another lesson, she gave me the recipe with strict instructions and explanations.

I got a cooking lesson from England, as that is where this dear lady is from. In fact, she keeps her citizenship there, although she is married to an American man. Would you have known that an English pint has 20 ounces instead of 16? Each week as I sit in on Abigail's lesson I am transported across the pond. It's quite fun to listen to the ticking, and chiming of the many clocks marking the minutes, and to study the English china plates on the wall.

Abigail and I left lessons and wait straight to the grocery store where we purchased the ingredients that I knew we didn't have on hand. I spent last evening in an extremely aromatic kitchen: peeling, chopping, washing jars, and reducing liquids. I have 9 pint jars and a small dish of chutney to show for it.

13 comments:

Sharon said...

That must have been some great chutney! I've never eaten it either, so I don't know what I'm missing.

Ways of Zion said...

how exciting...my grandma;s fruit sauce is bubbling away on the stove right now...think it may be simular I will blog about it in the coming days!

Kelli said...

I don't think I've ever tried it either. It sounds delicious!
~Kelli

Tracy said...

Sounds like a perfect combination to me. I adore chutney. Chutney on a sandwich with ham or corned beef.

Or a toasted sandwich with either meat, chutney, cheese and tomato.

See now, you can tell that my heritage somewhere a way back when is English!

Patricia said...

Tomatoes and Apples huh? hmmm.... lol You know I also have never tried chutney.
Patricia

Abounding Treasures said...

I made plum chutney many years ago and loved it ... I should try some again as it's great with all kinds of meat, especially roast beef :o)

Blessings,
Dallas

Anonymous said...

Is Abigail your daughter? I actually love that name and had wanted to name my next daughter that but my husband said no. :( But we did come up with a name we both love, though I'm still partial to Abigail lol.

The chutney looks good!

Bev

Momma Roar said...

I don't think I've ever tasted it either - isn't that funny?

I need to make something soon to make my home smell wonderful! Thanks for the inspiration!

Tracy said...

Bev,
Yes, Abigail is our daughter.

Tori Leslie said...

Great job, it sounds wonderful. I'm sure people will be enjoying for quite some time!

marilenearndt said...

My boss' mom makes wonderful mango chutney. I'll ask her for the recipe. I get it - you get it.
Brazilian hugs (warm and tight)!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Are you going to share the recipe with us? It sounds so interesting!

sherry said...

Tomato and apple chutney? I've never heard of such a thing, Tracy! The finished color of the chutney is beautiful. :o)

Thank you for the links. :o)