Of all the recipes handed down to me from my mother and grandmother I can honestly say this is the one I treasure most. It symbolizes all the wonderful things associated with family and the holidays, the aroma of delicious things simmering in the kitchen, and the anticipation of family gathered around the dinner table. My mom was an adventurous cook and I know she worked on this recipe for many years before she ended up with this extraordinary combination of flavors. I wrote a post about this family favorite when I first started blogging in 2008 and then removed the post from my blog. In the 1990’s I produced this chutney on a large scale and sold it to high end retailers such as Norm Thompson, Crate and Barrel, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and William Sonoma for inclusion in their holiday catalogs…sometimes with my label, sometimes theirs. It was very successful but I know I don’t want to do that again and instead want to share the recipe with those who want to try the best cranberry sauce in the world.
All the ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores. Originally my mother used tangerines but it is so much easier to use canned mandarin oranges and to be honest I think they are better than using fresh fruit. Crystallized ginger used to be almost impossible to find but now it is available in bulk in many stores, Whole Foods for one. Don’t let the curry powder put you off even if you don’t like curry. Every ingredient is important in this recipe and they all combine to make a mouth watering blend of sweet and spice. This is more than just a sauce for turkey.
It’s delicious on grilled chicken and pork in the summer and always gets oh’s and ah’s when I serve it over cream cheese at summer cook outs. It’s great with Easter ham and, once you try it, you will never want a plain turkey or chicken sandwich again. Trust me. Be sure to stash a couple of extra bags of cranberries in the freezer now so you can make more when the berries aren’t in season.
Cranberry Chutney Cheesecake Spread
When I want an extra special appetizer I make a little cheesecake and spoon the chutney over the top. The chopped toasted nuts add a nice crunchy texture. Try serving gingersnaps with the cheesecake instead of crackers. Just writing about it makes me hungry. Click on the above photo to go to the recipe.
A recipe of chutney makes 4-5 9-ounce jars of sauce. Double the recipe of you want more. Once opened a jar will keep indefinitely in the refrigerator. Cranberries are in the markets now and it isn’t too early to make a batch or two for special people on your Christmas list. I can guarantee it will be a star on everybody’s holiday table. I’m already dreaming about the post Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sandwiches
- 3 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 large tart apple, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup orange marmalade
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon curry powder (don’t skimp. Its an important ingredient)
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ½ cup golden raisins
- 2 small cans mandarin orange slices, drained
- Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chutney will thicken up as it cools. This keeps indefinitely in the refrigerator and will easily form a seal if poured, very hot, into small decorative jelly jars.
Oh Cathy you’ve got my number with this — the flavors sound amazing, and I’m so impressed that you marketed it to such fabulous retailers…how can I NOT try it? Thank you!
sue/the view from great island recently posted..Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
If you try this recipe I hope you enjoy it, Sue. It was fun to have the experience of working with the “big boys’ but it truly isn’t for the faint of heart. So many things can go wrong. I was lucky and it all turned out well But once was enough.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Cathy, that is high praise to be able to sell your chutney in such quality stores, but I agree with you, I only want to make what I want and in small batches.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Pear Tart
Hi Madonna – I agree with you. Small batches are definitely more enjoyable to make than huge ones. And usually turn out better. Thanks for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Thanks for sharing this terrific recipe…it looks so versatile, and it just may be on our Thanksgiving table this year!
Thanks for your comment, Liz. If you try this recipe I hope you enjoy it. Thanksgiving is right around the corner…yikes!
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
How wonderfully generous of you to share this family heirloom recipe with us, Cathy! Thank you SO MUCH!
I promise to make some up just before T’day. I know we will love it & hopefully I’ll be able to convince Ms. C. to take a “courtesy bite” so she will know what it tastes like, too.
Beautiful photos that make me wish for the holidays to start right now. LOL
Rettabug recently posted..End of Summer Tablescapes
I hope you have better luck with Ms. C than I have with my grandkids. They will probably try it when they are older but now, at 9 and 11, they are VERY resistant to trying new things. I can’t believe it is November 1 already. What happened to October! Somehow I missed it. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
I’d like to try this, but I have a question…. After you pour the hot mixture into the jelly jars and seal them, do I just leave it out on the counter to cool?
Hi Terri – Yes, just leave the jars to cool on the kitchen counter, then store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening. Thanks for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Hi Cathy,
How wonderful that your own dear mom developed this recipe and you put it into production at such fabulous stores. I feel honored that you’ve shared this chutney recipe with us and I would love to make it. Thank you for sharing ways to use the chutney, too.
Kitty recently posted..Spider Pizzas
Thanks, Kitty. I’m so happy to share this and I just hope everybody enjoys the recipe as much as we do. I always look forward to making it for the holidays.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
This sounds great and has just made it to the Thanksgiving party favor list Cathy! I’d like to gift jars, you don’t process them in a hot water bath? Just want to do correctly and wouldn’t mind a couple jars stashed away for future use myself! Thanks for sharing:@)
Lynn recently posted..Loaded Baked Potato Dip-A Weight Watchers Recipe
Hi Lynn – A water bath isn’t necessary if the lids are new and everything is hot. I pour boiling water over the lids about 15 minutes before I’m ready to use them. I have never had a jar that didn’t seal. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Thank you for sharing this family recipe with us. I adore cranberries and look forward with eager anticipation to when they arrive in the market.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..6th Blog Anniversary and a Cookbook Giveaway
Cathy, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful family recipe. I am definitely going to put this in my Christmas recipe list…and when I make it I will always think of your generosity in sharing it. I, too, am very impressed at the retailers that sold your product…as Sue said in the first comment “how can I NOT try it?!”.
Thank you so much for your comment, Denise. I hope you enjoy this cranberry sauce as much as we do. It makes such a nice little gift at holiday time. I was very lucky to work with such respected retailers.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
I am so impressed that you mass produced this. Awesome. Thanks for sharing this. Can you water bath this?
Debra recently posted..Elixirs for Xmas: Winter-Spiced Vodka
I’m sure you could, Debra. I’ve just never done it. The sauce is high acid, high sugar and there is no issue with it spoiling. Just use good quality glass and lids and pack it when it is very hot.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Cathy,
I live in Spain and have a garden full of tangerines, mandarins, lemons, and limes, so buying cans of tangerines so could you tell me please, how many tangerines you Mum would have used in your recipe.
Thanks Paul
This is a super recipe! I have made it two or three times and each time I have been so pleased!! It is great as an appetizer….on the cheesecake!
Kate recently posted..Blueberry Crumb Bars
Thanks, Kathy. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this cranberry sauce. I hope you will try the little cheesecake recipe.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
I am going to pin this and make it for Thanksgiving, but I love all the foods you paired it with.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Pumpkin Spice Cake
Thank you, Linda. I hope you enjoy it.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
I’ve put this on my list of recipes to try within the next week and share with friends ;o) Especially since your mom developed this recipe and you put it into production. I think I have all the ingredients in my house and will enjoy it with chicken sandwiches.
I hope you enjoy it, Debbie. It’s fun to try something new.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
It sounds and looks wonderful! Interesting that you marketed it, you go girl! I would like to make it. We are an anti curry family, lol, do you taste it in the chutney?
Kathleen recently posted..November Noshes~ National Bundt Day Challenge on the 12th!
Hi Kathleen – The curry isn’t detectable at all and nobody ever guesses its in the sauce. All the flavors just seem to work together in a wonderful way. I hope you will try it. It is delicious in a turkey sandwich.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this treasure. May I share a pet peeve – folks who rave about a treasured recipe, and then will not share it. Maybe I am being to touchy. but there is something that strikes me as so distinctly unfriendly and somewhat snooty about that non-sharing thing. I say kudos to you for your generosity. Now to the recipe – it sounds divine, and this one is going right on my “Try it out for Thanksgiving list.” Mille grazie and happy Thanksgiving to you, amica.
Adri recently posted..Biscotti di Nero d’Avola
Hi Adri – My mom was such a great cook and I know she would be very happy I’m sharing her recipe. It has sat in my recipe file for years and it was time for it to come out. I do hope you will try it and and will enjoy it. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner? Where has the year gone?
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
This cranberry recipe is saved! Love a really good holiday chutney recipe and this is no doubt will be the best in the world. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Velva
Velva recently posted..Dark Chocolate Black Bean Brownies
You are so welcome, Velva. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Cranberry Tangerine Chutney
Thanks so much for sharing this treasure with us:)
Monique recently posted..Halloween~
This chutney really sounds fabulous Cathy, so nice of you to share, will be making soon! Just baked your cranberry bliss loaf this week-end and it was a big hit with the family, Thanks!!!!
cheri recently posted..Carrot and Mung Bean Salad
Beautiful and I’m sure it tastes wonderful.
This looks outstanding Cathy. I’m not really a fan of chutney but seeing it on that cheesecake spread may get me to reconsider.
Larry recently posted..Fried Peppers
Wow, Cathy! You are famous. I remember when I posted my mother’s Germany potato salad recipe, that my family told me it should be a family secret. Why? Thank you for sharing your famous family recipe. I shall make it, can it, and cherish it. It sounds wonderful.
Foodiewife recently posted..Homemade Cracker Jack® Caramel Corn
I am crazy for chutney but have never made it. With this recipe, however, that’s going to change, and I love the idea of it on the cheesecake. Off to the store for ingredients……
Linda recently posted..Shutting Down
Candied ginger and curry sound like a great addition to your chutney.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Beans And Sausages, Two Ways
Good golly, Cathy, that list of ingredients! This must really be an amazing cranberry chutney! And I am intrigued that you use it in both savory and sweet dishes. Wonderful and wonderful memories! (I use my brother’s cranberry relish recipe and it too is infused with that deep memory and connection)
Jamie recently posted..Olive and Parmesan Bread Stick Twists with Speck
I have a cranberry chutney I usually make, but I think I must make this one for Thanksgiving.
It sounds so very good and I do love a good chutney, especially with cranberries. Thanks for sharing!
We really must meet one of these days for a cup of tea.
Marilyn recently posted..Along Life’s Roads
I have made Cranberry Sauce in many varieties for yearas. This one is a winner. Thank you. Happy As A Pig in Mud blog linked to this recipe and I am so thankful. Happy Thanksgiving~
I made ths chutney this afternoon, Cathy. It is fabulous and I thank you for sharing the recipe. I’m going to give a few jars away as gifts for others to enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kitty recently posted..Homemade Baking Mix
Thanks Kathy for a terrific recipe! It tastes amazing. So much better than cranberry sauce!
Oh my heavens Cathy I made your recipe the other night, in fact I doubled it so I could share it with family and friends and it is such an absolute hit with everyone! My husband loves to slather it on his Turkey Cranberry Cream Cheese sandwich 🙂 Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe that has now become a family favorite! Merry Christmas!
I’m not surprised it did so well in the big stores. It does taste fabulous! Thanks for sharing.