Chutney
Courgettes, runner beans, tomatoes... all lend themselves brilliantly to chutney, giving you plenty of sunshine ingredients all year round and adding interest to a cheeseboard or plate of cold cuts.
Serves 2Madras Eggs and Spinach with Tomato Cachumber
Delia discovered a wonderful Madras sauce that makes easy work of this lovely vegetarian curry, accompanied by a type of chutney that's one of Delia's favourites! Use peas or leeks instead of spinach, if you prefer.
Serves 4Fresh Coriander Chutney
Coriander, lime, chilli and garlic give this chutney zing and freshness. Serve it with curries or any Eastern dish such as grilled meats or fish.
Makes one 1 litre jarPreserved Dried Tomatoes
Oven-drying gives tomatoes a deep, intense flavour that will liven up all manner of dishes during the winter months - and is a useful way of using up a glut from the greenhouse, maybe?
Makes four 17½ fl oz (500 ml) preserving jarsGiardiniere Pickles (Italian Garden Pickles)
Bottle summer vegetables for a taste of summer in the depths of winter. These lovely Italian-style pickles are superb with a plate of charcuterie or cheeses and good bread.
Makes a 1 litre jarPickled Shallots in Sherry Vinegar
One Christmas tradition in our family is returning from midnight Mass to freshly baked, crisp sausage rolls and equally crisp pickled onions. I have now discovered that shallots with a little sherry vinegar make a different, rather special version. T
Makes a 1 litre jarChristmas Chutney
This is so-named because it is made with dried fruits, which I always associate with Christmas: prunes, dates and apricots. It's dark, spicy and delicious with cold cuts, pork pies or hot sausages – and it goes splendidly with matured Cheddar.
Makes four 171/2 fl oz (500 ml capacity) preserving jarsPickled Peppers and Courgettes
This is adapted from an old Cordon Bleu recipe for pickled cucumber. It's one of the best, in my opinion, for serving with patés, as it provides a bit of crunch and acidity to cut through the richness.
Serves 6 as a starterFresh Date and Apple Chutney
This chutney goes particularly well with Camembert Croquettes. However, it would also partner the Christmas cold cuts and buffet food extremely well, especially ham, pork pies and gammon.
Serves 2Baked Thai Red Curry Chicken with Coriander Chutney
If you have some Thai Red Curry Paste to hand, this makes a very speedy supper dish. Serve with Spiced Pilau Rice with Nuts.
Makes three 500 ml capacity jarsMango Chutney
Serve this lovely chunky mango chutney - which is simplicity itself to make - with cold meats, leftover turkey or anything spicy.
