Thursday, January 28, 2010

Beetroot and Orange Chutney


On Tuesday, 26 January, it was a public holiday in Australia to celebrate Australia Day, which marks the date when the first white settlers arrived in Australia. True to form, Australia Day was fine and very hot, and many people went to the beaches and had barbecues with family and friends.

Despite a last minute invitation to a barbecue lunch, I stayed at home doing all kinds of things, including baking (of course!). However, to do something a little different to mark the occasion of Australia Day, I bought a steak to make a steak sarnie.

There are many different ways to make a steak sarnie, and typically, I like mine with caramelised onions. Unfortunately, I forgot to buy an onion, so my steak sarnie contained steak, salad leaves, tomato and - my secret ingredient - beetroot and orange chutney:

I made the chutney on the weekend after spotting it on Johanna's site, Green Gourmet Giraffe. You can find the recipe for the chutney here.

Australians traditionally love beetroot on their burgers, and a burger "with the lot" always has one or two slices of ruby red beetroot on it. I am a beetroot fan myself, and couldn't resist this beetroot and orange recipe when I saw it on Johanna's site.

The chutney is easy to make, and only requires that you be around for an hour or so to cook the chutney and stir it occasionally. I only made a half batch, as I would otherwise be eating chutney for the rest of the year, but it is a welcome addition to my fridge.

This chutney can be used as dip (as Johanna did) with flatbreads, crackers and the like, or is a terrific accompaniment to beef or fish. However you serve it, I am sure that you'll enjoy it if you are a beetroot lover.

Enjoy!

9 comments:

TLC said...

whoa! That is a seriously good idea - and appropriately patriotic... sounds delish - and Australia day appropriate

Johanna GGG said...

great idea to serve it this way - it is like a posh version of tinned beetroot - and glad it worked when you cooked it for an hour - I was a bit unsure - just the thing for Australia day

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

That chutney looks great! I love the vivid colour of beetroot chutneys! :D

Finla said...

Wowo what a beautiful colour and looks so so morrish, i think i can eat them straigt fron the pot :-)

Maggie said...

I have never heard of Beetroot & Orange chutney before, but it does sound lovely.

Here in the UK we find it very difficult to read about hot weather, beaches, barbecues...........!

It never stopped raining all last summer and now we have had the coldest winter for years and today it's grey and wet, but I'm still happy Cakelaw!!!

The Blonde Duck said...

I'd love a steak sandwich--it sounds great!

Cakelaw said...

Hi Lazy Cook, I really enjoyed it, because I don't normally make steak sandwiches.

LOL - yes, I agree Johanna, just like posh tinned beetroot.

Hi Lorraine, so do I!

Hi Happy Cook, it is delicious straight from the jar (I promise I didn't double dip).

Hi Margaret, the sun will come out soon!

Hi Duckie, it is - I think steak sandwiches would go down very well in Texas.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you had a very nice holiday! I never thought about making chutney - I'm surprised it was so easy!

Y said...

This sounds like it would be AMAZING in sandwiches. Would happily have a big jar of this in my fridge.