Apple Chutney

I just posted this on my blog. Sorry it's been a while since I've put anything on here! I love apple chutney. I haven't tried this recipe with anything else (ie plums), but I'm sure you could experiment successfully. This is a great way to use up old apples.

Apple Chutney

From Eastside Café in Austin, Texas

1 pound Granny Smith apples

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

3 tablespoons onion, diced

2 teaspoons fresh jalapenos, seeded and minced (watch for spiciness—hot jalapenos can burn your hands and don’t ever touch your face when handling them)

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced

½ teaspoon fresh garlic minced

½ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground coriander

1/3 cup raisins

Pinch of salt

Peel and quarter apples. You can use an apple slider, but don’t use it on all the apples because it will be a mushy chutney instead of a chunkier one.

Slice in ¼ inch slices. Combine apples and remaining ingredients in a large stock pot.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes.

This recipe doubles and cans very well.

Bacon, Lettuce, and Salsa Wraps

I'm not a summer person. The heat reduces me into a whiny, unmotivated puddle. It is a testament to Rob's saintliness that we survived our first summer of marriage without an air conditioner. When it gets hot, I find myself getting creative in the kitchen so I can turn that darn stove off as quickly as possible. So I was delighted to come across this recipe I'd clipped from my Better Homes and Garden magazine a few months back. The only cooking involved is microwaving some bacon (and who doesn't love bacon?). The flavors are simple enough to remind me why I adore BLTs, but with enough differences from BLTs to feel like I made a genuine meal.

Bacon, Lettuce, and Salsa Wraps
3 tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp lime juice
salt to taste
8 slices bacon (plus a few more to munch on while you cook, or is that just me?)
Roughly 2 cups lettuce (I used romaine, but go with any variety you like)
4 flour tortillas (optional: veggie-flavored flour tortillas)
Mayonnaise

Combine first five ingredients. Set aside.
Microwave the bacon according to package directions on paper towels.
To assemble wraps, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each tortilla. Top with salad, then fresh salsa, then 2 slices bacon (whole or chopped, whatever you prefer). Roll up and serve.

*Note: You can sub in whatever variety of fresh salsa you like; I used this combination to keep the flavors uncomplicated.