Recipe: Spicy apricot chutney

Chutney's have made a comeback.

Ingredients:

2 tsp yellow mustard seeds

1 tsp each: whole coriander seeds, cumin seeds

8 black peppercorns

2 tsp chilli flakes

1 star anise

2 red onions, quartered

2 Granny Smith apples, quartered, cored and peeled

5cm piece root ginger, peeled and finely grated

1 cup cabernet sauvignon vinegar or similar

1kg ripe apricots, halved, stoned and coarsely chopped

1 tsp each: salt, paprika

2 cups sugar

Method:

Heat mustard seeds in a small saucepan on low heat until they begin to pop. Remove and place on a piece of muslin. Add the coriander and cumin to the saucepan and heat until fragrant. Add to the mustard seeds, together with the peppercorns, chilli flakes and star anise. Tie the spices in the muslin to form a little bag.

Finely chop onions and apples in a food processor. Place in a large saucepan. Add ginger, vinegar and bag of spices. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Add apricots, salt, paprika and sugar. Stir well. Simmer, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes, until thick.

Pour into hot sterilised jars and seal.

Makes about 6 cups.