green tomato chutney
A perfect way to preserve fresh green tomatoes. Serve with cheese or cold cuts.
Ingredients
1,5 kg green tomatoes, roughly chopped
600g light brown sugar
1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped
7 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
700ml malt or cider vinegar
salt, to taste
Method
Place all the ingredients into a large, heavy based can over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and cook for about 50 minutes until the chutney has thickened.
Pour the hot chutney into sterilised jars and seal.
Grape Chutney
We brought the recipe for this delicious chutney back from our trip to South Africa last year. It makes the perfect accompaniment to a cheese board. In our quest not to waste anything, we often use up leftover grapes in this recipe.
Ingredients
5 Granny Smith apples
1 onion
100ml balsamic vinegar
150ml brandy
1,1 kg white or red grapes (preferably seedless)
175g brown sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
salt, to taste
Method
Peel and core the apples and finely chop the onion. Pick the grapes from the stalks and wash under cold water.
Place the apples, onions, balsamic vinegar and brandy together in a heavy-based pan. Place over medium heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook until the fruits break down and the chutney has become thick and pulpy, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Spoon into sterile jars, allow to cool and store in a dark cupboard or in the refrigerator.
Fromagerie Kef
Fromagerie Kef is one of our favourite cheese shops in Amsterdam. As you walk in, you are immediately hit with an intoxicating aroma of delicious cheeses.
The shop, which has been in existence for 62 years, stocks an array of local and international cheeses from small producers. The fridges and cheese cellar are always brimming with these edible gems. The cheese is often ripened in the shop, ensuring that when you purchase it, it will be at it's best for eating and enjoying.
We love that when you purchase your cheese, they are loving wrapped, including the name of the cheese. When you get home, it's like unwrapping little presents of joy. The shop also stocks bread from bakery Niemeijer, chutneys, wines and charcuterie to complete your cheese board.
The staff are always on hand to give you advice if you need it.
On Sunday's you can order small cheese platters to enjoy in the store with a glass of wine.
Fromagerie Kef is our preferred supplier for our caterings and dinners.
For more information please visit Fromagerie Kef.
Bobotie
This traditional South African Cape Malay recipe is a must to try!
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
2 thick slices of stale white bread
250 ml water
5 Tablespoons sunflower oil
4 Tablespoons butter
2 large onions, finley chopped
800g lamb or beef mince
3 cloves garlic, finley chopped
1 Tablespoon Garam Masala
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
3 cloves
5 allspice berries
125 ml sultanas or golden raisins
2 Tablespoons fruit chutney or apricot jam
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
6-8 lemon or bay leaves
250ml natural yoghurt or buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
Method
Soak the bread in the water. Heat a large heavy-based pot with 3 tablespoons sunflower oil and fry the lamb or beef mince until browned. Transfer to a bowl.
Fry the onions in 2 tablespoons sunflower oil and the butter until just transparent. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute. Add the spices and fry about 1 minute to remove their rawness and cook them out slightly. Add the meat, sultanas, chutney or jam to the pan and mix well together, ensuring that all ingredients are coated in the spices. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat the oven to 180 C. Squeeze out the water from bread and add to meat and mixing well. Grease and ovenproof dish and add the meat mixture, spreading out into an even layer.Roll lemon leaves into spikes and insert into the mixture or if you can only get bay leaves stick them in so that they are pointing out. Cover with aluminium foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Lightly beat the eggs and yoghurt or buttermilk together, season with salt and pepper and pour over meat. Bake, uncovered, until egg mixture has set, about 20 minutes. You may need to increase the temperature to 200 C to ensure the custard colours to a golden brown. Serve with yellow rice (basmati rice with turmeric added to the water) and fruit chutney.
* We recommend Mrs Balls Chutney. A classic South African ingredient which is becoming more readily available in Holland. If you can't find it, use any another brand of chutney you like.
Wine Tip: Pepin Conde Cabernet Sauvignon
We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours
Pear and Saffron Chutney
Autumn is the prefect time to use pears, which are fully in season. Other than poaching or roasting them, why not turn them into a chutney. This also makes a great gift to give to others.
This recipe has been adapted from renowned British chef, Jason Atherton.
Makes about 1 kg
Ingredients
160 g onions, diced (about 2 onions, depending on their size)
200 g apples, peeled, cored and diced (about 2 apples)
200 g sultanas or golden raisins
1 Tablespoon orange zest
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
40 g finely chopped fresh ginger
200 ml white wine vinegar
1 kg pears, peeled, cored and diced
350 g caster sugar
¼ teaspoon saffron threads, infused in 1 Tablespoon warm water
Method
Place all the ingredients except for the pears, sugar and saffron in a large pot. Bring to the boil, stirring often and cook until the liquid has reduced by two-thirds. Add the sugar and the saffron and cook for further 5 minutes.
Add the pears and cook gently, uncovered for about 1-2 hours or until the chutney is thick and syrupy. The chutney is ready when you can draw a line across the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
Spoon the chutney into sterilized jars and seal while still hot. Store in a cool place.
We also make the pear chutney ourselves. Please contact us if you like to order. Subject to availability.
We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours
Caulils
Caulils delicatessen & catering is the place in Amsterdam for the conscience connoisseur.
They stand for pure, refined and responsible ingredients.
All their products have been selected with passion and care, with a sincere love for food. They sell fantastic raw-milk cheeses, various meats, unique wines and many other desirable ingredients.
They also offer a catering service ranging from breakfast and high tea to dinners and parties.
For more information please visit Caulils.
South African-Style Chicken Wings
Ingredients
1 kg chicken wings
1 cup tomato ketchup
1 cup fruit chutney*
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 red chilli, finely chopped
Method
Mix the tomato ketchup, chutney, soy sauce and chilli in a bowl. Add the chicken and leave to marinate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.
Preheat and oven to 180° C. Place the chicken wings on an oven tray lined with baking paper and pour over any marinade in left in the bowl. Roast for about 40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and nicely coloured. Turn the chicken over halfway through the cooking time. Allow to cool slightly and serve on a platter lined with fresh chives.
* Try finding Mrs Ball's chutney. It's an authentic South African chutney available from good supermarkets and deli's.