‘Fortunate is the one who has learned to admire but not to envy.
To envy others neither diminishes their good fortune nor increases your own’ * 
Thankfully envy was absent while reading about gluts of gorgeous red tomatoes at Allotment2Kitchen a few weeks ago. Admiring Mangocheeks’s tomatoey produce (and hard work) undoubtedly increased my own good fortune when I received these wonderful gifts: a jar of Spicy Tomato and Apple Chutney and a copy of the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook. Warm, huggy thanks from my kitchen to yours Mangocheeks and I hope you enjoy the Marrow Cream and Hedgerow Jelly.
Mangocheeks has written several posts about using home grown chillis and I’m coming round to the idea of adding a little more fire to my cuisine. I’m usually a bit cautious with hot and spicy food after a friend’s over-chillied dish many moons ago left me feeling my insides had been blow torched. I love the sweet kick of this spicy tomato chutney though. We ate it with dinner the night it arrived and added generous spoonfuls to filled pittas for a lunch or two before polishing it off straight from the spoon. How hard core is that for a chilli shy sampler?
allotment ingredients: baked Robinta potatoes, roasted dwarf green beans, roasted beetroot
shop bought: goats cheese
I thought it would be fitting to use an Allotment2Kitchen recipe to break my chilli embargo and experiment with the chilli peppers Dave gave me. Where better to start than with a recipe I know I’ll enjoy? 
I made a couple of adjustments to Mangocheeks’ Spicy Tomato recipe because I didn’t have the same ingredients available
1) green and just turning orange tomatoes instead of ripe red ones
2) dates instead of raisins
3) an extra apple to compensate for the lack of sweetness from the unripe tomatoes
I was delighted with how it turned out and other than being a less vibrant red colour it tasted similar and had the same kind of kick. I shall definitely be picking more of Dave’s chillis once I’d decided whether to freeze or dry them. Oh heck, perhaps I’ll give both a try! 
* Thought for Today the morning my gifts from Mangocheeks arrived
Mmmmmm – looks chunky and delicious. And the cookbook looks exciting, hoping to see some of your baking from it. I’ve got to cut down on my baked goods for a few days, must lose the 4 lbs I’ve put on before I dare bake anymore.
I love chutney and it is twice as good when home made – I have been better at it lately – blogging is a great way to feel inspired! And that last chilli photo is gorgeous – they are so beautiful even if I too am chilli-wary!
I made a Curried Apple Chutney a few weeks ago. It called for hot and sweet peppers, but I did just sweet bc that is what I had and I am not a big fan of heat. I love the chutney though! It is fun to be inspired by one another.
sounds yummy Kimberly, I have curried apple and carrot chutney on my list for making. Zillions of apples just need to get the other ingredients!
[…] If you like making chutney you may also be interested in these recipes: Curried apple and carrot chutney, Rhubarb chutney, Spiced Damson chutney Spicy tomato and apple chutney […]