Apple Chutney

We all know pork pairs nicely with applesauce, but it's even better with apple chutney—especially one studded with golden raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. The cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and apple cider bring both sweet and tang to the dish, making it an ideal pairing for ham or pork chops.

Chutney has its origins in Indian cuisine and is typically made up of fruit, sugar, spices, and vinegar. Chutneys are now popular all over the globe and can range from a spicy condiment to a mild relish or salsa-style sauce. Chutneys can include vegetables, fruit, nuts, dried fruit, spices, sweeteners, and various vinegars or citrus juice. In addition to a topping for grilled and roasted meats, chutney can be used in many other ways. Use as a sandwich spread, spoon over goat cheese or mix with cream cheese for a tasty hors d'oeuvre, serve as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers, or layer in a grilled cheese for a sweet and savory treat. Once puréed, it can also be used as a glaze for meat or poultry roasts, including baked ham.

Considering there are chutney recipes from all over the world, there are many, many variations. For a similar recipe with a little spice, try a pear chutney with ginger, garlic, and hot chile pepper. Rhubarb chutney includes red onion and dried cherries and balances the sweet with a bit of chili powder and red pepper flakes. Chutneys can be a mixture of spiced papaya and raisins, pineapple and curry powder, and even roasted pumpkin. A cranberry chutney is a nice change from traditional cranberry sauce, and tomato chutney is a great alternative to ketchup.