Description
Jamie Oliver’s pear chutney delivers a sweet and tangy condiment perfect for cheese platters and sandwiches. Rich spices and caramelized pears create a memorable preserve you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 pears (firm, peeled, chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 red onions (chopped)
- 1 red chilies (halved, optional: deseeded)
- 200g (7 oz) demerara sugar
- 200ml (6.8 fl oz) cider vinegar
- 100ml (3.4 fl oz) pear cider (perry)
- 50g (1.8 oz) sultanas
- 1 star anise
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, pear cider, whole star anise, ground cumin, red onions, and fresh ginger in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, creating an aromatic flavor base.
- Boiling Stage: Elevate heat to high and bring the liquid mixture to a robust boil, stirring intermittently to promote uniform heating and prevent scorching.
- Fruit Integration: Gently incorporate diced pears and red chilies, immediately reducing temperature to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors.
- Reduction Process: Maintain a low simmer for 35-45 minutes, stirring periodically, until the liquid transforms into a thick, glossy syrup and pears soften while maintaining their structural texture.
- Final Enhancement: Introduce golden sultanas into the simmering mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly and add depth to the chutney’s flavor profile.
- Cooling and Preservation: Remove from heat and allow the chutney to cool completely to room temperature, enabling flavor intensification and harmonization.
- Storage: Carefully transfer the finished chutney into sterilized glass jars, ensuring clean rims for proper sealing, and store in a cool, dark location or refrigerator to maintain optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Spice Sensitivity Check: Ground cumin and star anise provide robust flavor, so adjust quantities based on personal heat and spice tolerance.
- Fruit Selection Matters: Choose ripe, firm pears that hold shape during cooking to maintain texture and prevent mushy consistency.
- Stirring Strategy: Regular, gentle stirring prevents bottom burning and ensures even caramelization of sugars and fruits.
- Storage and Shelf Life: Properly sealed jars can preserve chutney for 2-3 months in refrigerator, developing deeper flavor complexity over time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: UK
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg