CHUTNEY 01/30/01

 

Have you ever tasted chutney?   More specifically, Major Grey's Chutney?  I can't remember the first time I tasted it - and I have been wracking my brains ever since dinner, trying to remember - but it is one of my favorite taste delights.

It came to mind because we had pork tenderloin for supper, served it with a good sized dollop of Major Grey's Chutney.  Major Grey's denotes is the type of chutney, not the brand.  The type of chutney is a combination of mango, ginger, raisins and other luscious ingredients.  The brand was Cross & Blackwell, which was very good.  

 

My favorite brand, which I have not seen for years and years, is Sun Brand.  It has more bits and pieces and less "sauce." 

 

Major Grey's Chutney has a delightful bite to it, what some people might call a bit of a kick.  That is due to the ginger.  I love ginger - ginger root, ginger spice, ginger crisp cookies, crystalized ginger (I feel like I have died and gone to heaven when I eat crystalized ginger), ginger marmalade...   You get the picture.  When I eat it, I can taste the sun of the Indian subcontinent, from whence it came.

It is wonderful with pork, a perfect foil to a curry, and out of this world dipped in dark chocolate.   

 

A simple and scrumptious appetizer is to put a block of cream cheese on a serving dish and pour the chutney right over it.  Elsa made a wonderful "chutney pate" for Shada and Andy Sullivan's wedding, which she served with homemade ginger snaps.  It is simple and tasty - all you do is combine 8 ounces of top quality cream cheese (softened) with 1/4  cup of the chutney (Elsa uses a whole jar to get as many bits and pieces as  possible, then chops them up).   It is delicious.

In my day, she would not have needed to buy an entire jar to get enough bits and pieces.  Unfortunately, as the price of the ingredients have gone up, the amount of bits and pieces of ginger, raisins and mango has gone down.  I do miss the Sun Brand. which I remember as chockful with them.

If you get a chance and you like a sharp, snappy taste, give a bit of chutney - Major Grey's Chutney - a whirl.  Maybe you will be able to taste the sun, too.

It's almost time to take a hike up the wooden hill.  

Happy trails to you -  Grammie

By the skin of my teeth 01/26/01

 

posting a day early, since it  IS australia day right now down under!

wish i had the *article mom references - hope the pics help.

Since it is still January 26th here in the USA, I can still wish everyone a "Happy Australia Day!" - just under the official wire, sort of.  

I tried to think about what to say that could describe Australia Day, which I have been honored to celebrate many times with Mike and Kerry, Scott and Karen.  
 

The best I can do is to post the write-up from the Sydney Morning Herald*, which captures a smidgen of how I feel about the holiday.  

So many glorious summertime moments to cheer and warm these cold winter days.   

Remembering a beauty rich and rare - Nan Lockhart

 

 

Family happiness 01/22/01

This whole hospital stay business has yielded unexpected - and delightful - benefits.  I am not talking about the home nurse who stops by a couple times a week or the physical therapist who has been keeping tabs on me.  I am talking about how my family responded, and continues to respond.

Mim called during the inauguration to see if I was watching (I was not, since watching television makes me tense).  Kerry (and through her, Mike) continues to keep tabs via e-mail.  Peter has offered to treat me to a new coat.  I am enjoying every moment!

There was an article in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer by Lucia Herndon that seems appropriate to send at this time.  Last week, her column was about a mother whose new son-in-law questioned that the family was as close knit as they thought they were.  This week's follow-up article -  "Family happiness seems to be a journey" - struck me as "share worthy."  If you have any thoughts after reading it, I would love to hear them.

Before I sign off, a special "Good on ya!" to my daughter-in-law Kerry, who left today for Perth, where she will open a new neonatal counseling center.  I am proud of her - and will be interested in hearing how Mike does on his own for three months. 

Hugs all around - Kerry's "Mum"

wish i could find a link to the article mom mentions - 

13+ years down the road, no sign of it!