MANGO CHUTNEY

Recipe taken from Jams, Preserves & Chutneys by Marguerite Patten

12oz onions finely chopped
1½lb mango (weight stoned and peeled - usually 2)
1lb cooking apples (weight peeled and cored)
2tsp pickling spices
½ pint white wine vinegar
1 orange
1¼lb sugar

Put onions into pan
Cut approx 2/3 of mango and all apples into small dice, add to onions.
Cut remaining mango into larger dice and set aside.
Tie spices in muslin and add to pan with the vinegar
Simmer gently until onions and fruit are getting soft.
Grate zest of orange finely, halve and squeeze juice; add both zest and juice to pan, along with remaining mango.
Cook for 5 mins
Add sugar and stir over low heat until dissolved, the boil steadily until consistencey of a soft jam.
Remove spices.
Allow to cool for approx 10 mins then stir to evenly distribute fruit pieces.
Spoon into hot jars and seal down.

MINCEMEAT

This is the recipe I have used to make the mincemeat this year.

Makes 6lb

1lb cooking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
8oz shredded suet
2lb dried mixed fruit
12oz soft dark brown sugar
grated rind and juice 1 orange
grated rind and juice 1 lemon
2 tbsp lemon juie
2 tsp mixed spice
½ tsp ground cinnamon
half a nutmeg grated
6 tbsp brandy

Mix all ingredients apart from brandy together in a bowl, and leavecovered with a cloth for 12 -18 hours.
Mix through then place in a very low oven 120°C/225°F/gas ¼ for 3 hours.
Allow to become completely cold then stir in brandy, spoon into clean dry jars and seal.