Easy Apple Chutney

Use the apples in season to make this easy Apple Chutney!

This Apple Chutney is a nice balance of tart, sweet and spicy flavours. Good as a side with a main dish or use it to dip crackers, nuts, etc.
 

Ingredients:

• 5 -6 medium apples, about 650g, chopped into ¼ inch pieces. Used any apple in the season
• 1½ tbsp cooking oil
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• ¼ tsp mustard seeds
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• ¾ tsp garam masala
• ¼ tsp red chili powder
• ½ tsp salt or to taste
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp kashmiri red chili powder for colour

Method:

First, peel the apples and then chop them into small pieces. Set aside.

In a pan add the cooking oil on a medium heat. Once the oil is hot, then add in the cinnamon stick, cloves, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and mustard seeds. Let them sizzle for a few seconds, the mustard seeds should pop.

Then add the onion and ginger. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are soft.

Then add the chopped apples and mix.

Add the garam masala, red chili powder and salt.

Add the apple cider vinegar and mix everything.

Add in the brown sugar, followed by kashmiri chili powder and mix well.

Cover with a lid and let the chutney simmer for 3-4 minutes, keep stirring in between. It will thickens as it simmers. 

The chutney will continue to thicken as it cools. Let it cool and then store the apple chutney in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

                                              

Easy Nut Roast

 This easy nut roast is a family favourite. It is a great centrepiece for your vegan Christmas celebration or anytime of the day when you fancy a nut roast for an everyday family meal.

Nut roast is also yummy served cold. And leftovers make a great sandwich filling.

Ingredients:

• 220g mixed nuts
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 100g fine breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp dried herbs
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp dried cranberries, chopped

Method:

Preheat oven to 180ºC/160ºC for fan assist oven.

In a frying pan, cook the diced onion and garlic with the olive oil until translucent and just starting to brown.

In a food processor, pulse the nuts until fine. If you are also making your own breadcrumbs now, process the bread separately from the nuts, as they will take longer to become fine.

In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients-ground nuts, breadcrumbs, fried onion and garlic, soy sauce, dried herbs, chia seeds, cranberries and vegetable stock.

Transfer the nut mixture into a loaf tin lined with baking paper, and smooth the top with a silicone spatula.

Bake the nut roast for 30-40 minutes until the top starts to brown.

Remove from the oven, and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. To remove from the tin, place a board on top of the tin, flip over and peel off the baking paper.

Before serving, you can add some extra nuts on top for decorations.