chutney club

Donkey!

2011-12-23T15:48:00.000-08:00

We just bought a Donkey via Oxfam. For women in Mozambique, owning a donkey can greatly improve their quality of life. The Cupo and Tlavane communities, in remote, dry and poor areas, are still affected by the destruction of the civil war that ended in 1992. Women have the difficult task of collecting water and transporting goods from farm to market. So by using donkeys to carry these loads, women can save time and energy, improve their productivity, and improve their income. This also gives women more chance to be involved in community decision-making processes, and contributes to improving women’s equality.

A good enough excuse methinks to share this google image search love. Merry Christmas!

Spreading the love

2011-12-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

I have just updated our Kiva loans with all the funds raised by ticket sales online. I love looking at the map view of where the loans have been dispersed across the map, 35 loans now.

Also, we get a small mention in the age via Pen alongside Feral Fruit Trees.

Winners!

2011-12-21T02:44:00.000-08:00

We have a winner! No, three! Gaye, Ulanda and Tim. Congratlations!

Totes!

2011-12-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

We have amazing new Penelope Durston black denim Chutney Club totes to carry all the hamper goodies. With a logo designed by Thought and Deed you'll be toting your picnic to the park in style. It's sure to be both the envy and the confusion of your friends. Chutney Club? What?

There is a spare one too, which I think may become the ticket seller prize if chutney club members need a reason to sell more tickets. I am thinking of holding the draw on wednesday night next week, so only a few more days to buy tickets.

Tickets available online!

2011-12-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

As promised, tickets are now available online HERE. Massive thanks to Thought and Deed for designing the poster and a new logo to print on the bags. Also thanks to Trotski and Ash who have donated a beautiful calender to the winning hamper. I have had a sneak peek at the recipes, and with those amazing photos, I suspect they will be making you hungry and inspired all year.

Remember, all proceeds go to charity and all goods are donated by the chutney club and friends. I wrote a little about our experience with Kiva here.

Chutney Club Christmas Hamper 2011

2011-12-05T04:29:00.000-08:00

Looking good! Tickets are available from a Chutney Club member you may know, or online here soon. Featuring all homemade preserves with a variety of other hamper goodness yet to be thrown in. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. Three hamper prizes, so the odds are pretty good.

All proceeds go towards projects supported by Kiva and Oxfam. The raffle will be drawn at a gathering on December 20th. We will endeavor to deliver prizes within Melbourne before Christmas to help with festivities.

It features homemade preserves from the Chutney Club:
Szechuan Tomato Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Baltic Sea Relish, Piccalilli, Chili and Ginger Green Sauce, Kumquat Marmalade, Rhubarb Cordial, Fruit Mince Pies, Green Tomato Relish, Preserved Lemons, Plum Jam with Raspberry and Vanilla & More!

It's that time of year.

2011-11-16T04:02:00.000-08:00

Trotski and Ash have made another calender featuring hungry-making pictures and seasonal recipes. I wonder if they are preserving anything this year? The perfect gift for someone. Last year's sold out fast and left many of us wanting, so quick sticks!

Piccalilli

2011-11-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

I got this Piccalilli recipe from the Time Life Preserving Book from THE GOOD COOK series. These books are excellent, and full of well illustrated techniques. Treasure!

This is half the original recipe, and makes 5 quite large jars. Plenty for us.

Any combination of vegetables may be used for this recipe, depending what is available. Choose from florets of cauliflower, slices of courgettes, pickling onions or shallots, cubed cucumber or squash, sliced french beans, sliced carrots or celery and peppers cut into strips. The vegetables should be of around an even size for equal cooking and chopped depending on whether you want a fine sandwich pickle or a more chunky style pickle. I tried to keep it quite fine, though it's tempting to go chunky, you do get a little tired of chopping.

1.5kg of prepared vegetables.
I used cauliflower, carrots, beans, onions, chili pepper and cucumber.
250 grams coarse salt.

Layer the prepared vegetables with the salt in a large bowl and cover with a plate to ensure that the vegetables really steep in the salt. Leave for 24 hours. Rinse the vegetables and drain them thoroughly.

Sauce.

1/2 tablespoon of ground turmeric
4 teaspoons of dry mustard
4 teaspoons of dry ginger
90 grams sugar
625 ml distilled vinegar
12.5 grams cornflour

Put the turmeric, ginger, mustard, sugar and 600ml of vinegar into a large pan. Mix well. Add the drained vegetables and bring to the boil, simmering gently for 15 to 20 minutes, testing the firmness of the vegetables occasionally. The degree of crispness or tenderness of the vegetables is a matter for individual taste, but do not overcook them.

When ready remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and pack them into hot jars. Dissolve the cornflour in the remaining vinegar and stir into the sauce in the pan. Bring to the boil and cook for three minutes, stirring continuously. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and cover at once.

The piccalilli will be ready for use in six weeks. And is very good on a chunky slice of fresh bread with cheddar and fresh tomato.

Bird's house

2011-11-06T17:11:00.001-08:00

These photos from the weekend meeting at Bird's house. A really good bunch, including Don's green tomato, Drew's pickled cucumbers, Fleischmann's eggplant relish, Rachael's szechuan peppers in tomato, Dell's piccalilli, Simon's Baltic Sea relish, Bird's beetroot and horseradish, Kate's tomato relish, the Ward's tomato chutney and Estelle's hot Rococo chili sauce. Everything was very tasty, and we made plans for the annual Christmas Hamper raffle. I'll keep you posted!

Meeting early november

2011-10-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Not entirely sure what to make of the season. Piccalilli? Marmalade? Do you have a recipe to contribute? Please do!

The farm gate

2011-06-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

What a good bunch. Including Jalamato! Apricot and Amaretto, Whiskey Marmalade, Kumquat, Thyme and Peppercorn Jelly, Lilly Pilly Jam, Quince and Apple Chutney, Marinated Feta, Green Tomato Chutney and Ponzu Sauce.

Farm Chairs

2011-04-01T20:57:00.001-07:00

Autumn and Farm

2011-03-28T01:48:00.001-07:00

Equals good! The next meeting will be towards the end of April at the farm I think.
Prepare! Preserve!

New Look

2011-02-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

New Year, new look. I have been meaning to pretty this blog up a bit. Look apples! I have also been meaning to post about our beehives since the new year. Chutney Club are the proud owners of 3 Beehives and 3 farmers packs, which include a goat, a duck and some seeds. Thanks again to all who contributed to the raffle!

Ho Ho. Ha Ha.

2010-12-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

This is pretty hilarious, but Santa came to the Christmas Party. As pictured in the club portrait. With notable absences, Brooke, Don and Rachael.

The kids were pretty excited. Santa seemed a little dazed and unsure of how to wield these special Santa suit powers. Clancy was pretty happy to wave from a distance. And he got close enough to offer Santa a present. Very sweet to watch.

It was breakfast, so we had scones and muffins and fruit salad and french toast and bacon and I made a wooden heart Christmas cake, which is almost invisible on the Fleischmann's table.

Money Lenders

2010-12-19T22:31:00.000-08:00

I have just topped up our Kiva account with funds raised from our raffle on Sunday. You can see the details of our loans here. Thank you to everybody who bought tickets and everyone who contributed! We have more money to spend on Oxfam unwrapped gifts, and I will be doing that over the next few weeks. Merry Christmas from Chutney Club and I hope you have a safe and happy New Year.

We have a winner!

2010-12-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

Actually, we have three! Congratulations to Jen, Hannah and Buster.

Crumpets

2010-12-16T18:31:00.000-08:00

Our lovely friends Trotski & Ash have just posted a delicious crumpet recipe, which would be one perfect way to sop up some jam or quince jelly. And like everything on the blog, it just looks sooooo good!

They also have a lovely looking calender out, a perfect Christmas gift.

Last Chance

2010-12-16T15:11:00.000-08:00

These are some of the preserves we have stockpiled for the hampers. They will be divided up and stashed in these handsome hessian totes from the very talented and clever miss Penelope Durston. There are three, yes three prizes!

Tickets are still available up until saturday night, so only a few more chances to win, what are you waiting for? Each of the hampers will also contain a copy of the CWA Tasmania Cookery book, and various other bits and pieces too.

All proceeds go to Kiva and Oxfam. I will update with photos from the draw after it happens on Sunday. Good Luck!

Press!

2010-12-08T01:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks Jen at Three Thousand and Lucy at The Design Files. Only one more week to snap up tickets!

"The Inter-Suburb Chutney Club was founded in 2005 by local artists/craftists Dell Stewart and Drew Martin. Outsiders have speculated that club members might be bloggers, food enthusiasts or associates of The Black Rebel Activities Club. Certainly, they delight in irregular meetings in parks, backyards and on rooftops, and swap sauces and preserves with one other. At Christmas time, they pile a selection of their homemade delights from the year past into big baskets and raffle it off. Last year, they raised more than $500, which went towards Kiva loans. This year there are three hampers to win, all brimming with enough stuff to give even Matt Preston's pantry a condiment problem."

By Jennifer A. Walsh

One note, I can't remember the exact date for our first meeting, though I'm pretty sure it's at least 2003, maybe even 2002. I will try to find the initial invitation on my backup discs. Sometime.

OMG! You can buy tickets online.

2010-11-17T01:31:00.000-08:00

HERE.

Christmas Hamper 2010

2010-11-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

It's happening again. Go to your friendly chutney club member for your chance to win one of three amazing hamper prizes.

Each Hamper will also include some wine, crackers and other goods to help you enjoy the chutney club experience. As well as giving you the chance to win some of this loot, proceeds will allow us to loan money via Kiva. Last year we raised over $500 and have been receiving updates all year on the benefits of our loans. We also contribute gifts to Oxfam and with the proceeds from the last fundraiser we bought goats, a veggie patch, fruit trees, some breakfast and also some eggs.

Working in 26 countries, Oxfam Australia is providing people with the skills and resources needed to develop their own solutions to poverty. Simple things like seeds, clean water systems, and skills training can mean the difference between desperate poverty and hope for the future.

The raffle will be drawn at the end of year BBQ on December 19th. We will endeavor to deliver prizes within Melbourne before Christmas to help with festivities. Get in touch if you want a ticket or if you'd like to contribute!

People

2010-11-14T17:12:00.000-08:00

The Wards

2010-11-14T02:49:00.000-08:00

We had a meeting at the Ward's house, to get provisions for a BBQ summer. We were also collecting for this year's Christmas Hamper Raffle. Here are some of the featured preserves (my camera ran out of batteries half way through this process).

Simon's O Mi Corazon Salsa Picante. Yum. Kate's Garlic and Chili Sauce. Double Yum.

Mr Ward made Rose Onion Relish, and Mrs Ward, a Classic Tomato Chutney.
Hoops made a spicy Szechuan Sauce and I made a fruity Mango BBQ Sauce.

Drew brought his famous Pickled Onions, Estelle made an amazing Strawberry Vinegar, which Sailor wanted to drink, and Birdy made Rhubarb Cordial, which I wanted to drink, with Gin and lime and mint.

Flieschmann made a delicious California Chutney, Don made a Green Tomato Relish with Loquat and Annie bought us a zesty Redesdale Apple Chutney.

There was a rich Marmalade from Brooke and an Apple Pear and Ginger Conserve from Estelle.

Mrs Ward supplied charming sailboat skewers and woody coasters too. The children are boosting our numbers with Leroy (welcome!) Iggy, Clancy, Sadie, Scout, Sailor and Samaya.
I'll soon be posting hamper details, featuring the above bounty and more. Chutney Club love!

Pickled Eggs!

2010-05-03T03:13:00.000-07:00

Ominous, and also kind of interesting. Drew hosted our autumn harvest chutney club so he could make people eat his pickled eggs; as Kate understandably refuses.

It was a good one. There were takeaway eggs, feijoa chutney, jelly and quince and feijoa two tone jelly, tomato chutney, piccalilli, plum jam, crabapple, rosehip and pomegranite jelly and quince paste. Innovations in packaging from Rachael, Annie and Lydia. Poached figs with cream. Feijoa jelly with marscapone. If only I were hungrier at the time.

Feijoa and ginger jelly.

2010-04-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

1.5 kg feijoas
Half a lemon
Crystalized ginger to taste
3 1/2 cups of sugar (approximately)

Chop 1.5 kg roughly. Squeeze over half a lemon. Almost cover with water. Cook til soft. Strain through muslin. Measure into pan. Add slivers of crystalized ginger and 3/4 cup of sugar for each cup of juice. Cook til soft ball or until the jelly sets when spooned onto a cold plate.

Haha harvest

2010-04-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time again. Drew has offered to host this chutney club and open his pickled eggs. I want to suggest the 2nd of May, but am open to your suggestion.

I felt like making it a challenge.

Harvest. Make something with something you picked yourself. Easy for some, but I have a concrete backyard, and therefore have to skulk about alleyways looking for ripe fruit. Luckily it's autumn, there is fruit everywhere, so see what you can do. If you need help there is a map of fruit trees within reach of public property here.

Figs and feijoas, quince, apples and pomegranites are all over these suburbs. Make something of it.

I picked a some delicious apples up the farm, though not sure what to make of them, too good to cook with. Crunch Crunch Crunch.

Need fruit?

2010-03-29T04:23:00.000-07:00

Hello preservers. Chutney club is about due for a meeting. Need fruit? Well here is a site devoted to fruit trees in public ripe for the picking.

The map of fruit trees is here. Feel free to update it. Now we just need a ripening schedule. I have made some alley fig jam. There is heaps more out there to be made.

Kiva Update

2010-03-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Part of the money we loaned through Kiva has been repaid so I reinvested in a group in Kyrgyzstan. It's great to be updated on how each group are going with their business and re-lending the money as it's paid back.

Kiva

2010-01-02T03:42:00.000-08:00

We just made a loan to a woman in Nigeria, a co-operative in Bolivia , these beautiful women of the Makotekokoumana Group in Mali and another group in Vietnam using a new website called Kiva. For more information our lender page is here.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva you know exactly who your money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, you know that you are helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after the loan is paid back.

Join us in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Buddha Pear says THANK YOU!

2009-12-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

A Hamper list

2009-12-07T15:47:00.001-08:00

There are two prizes and between them the hampers include, but are not limited to...
Hoop's Aligator Sauce
Mango Chutney
Drew's BBQ Sauce
Birdie's Bahart
Quince Jones Jelly
Estelle's Mint Sauce
Big Red Tomato Relish
Barbie Sauce
Loquat and Mango (hot) Chutney
Frankie's Famous Relish
Chutney Club Label Sparkling Rosé, Sparkling Shiraz, a Marlborough Sauv Blanc and a Cruickshank Cabernet Franc...

Christmas Hamper

2009-11-30T00:42:00.000-08:00

It's happening again. Go to your friendly chutney club member for your chance to win one of two prizes. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. Here is a sampler of some of the goods.

Each Hamper will also include some crackers and other tasty goods to round out your chutney club experience. As well as giving you the chance to win some of this loot, proceeds will allow us to contribute gifts to Oxfam.

Working in 26 countries, Oxfam Australia is providing people with the skills and resources needed to develop their own solutions to poverty. Simple things like seeds, clean water systems, and skills training can mean the difference between desperate poverty and hope for the future.

With the proceeds from the last fundraiser we bought goats, chickens, piglets and a veggie patch for families in need. Perhaps this year we can provide some chutney related gifts of fruit trees, some breakfast and also some eggs.

The raffle will be drawn at the end of year BBQ on December 15th. We will endeavor to deliver prizes before Christmas to help with festivities. Get in touch if you want a ticket!

2009-11-25T06:34:00.001-08:00

'I think it's so great that you are in some kind of cheese platter group.'

Spring Chutney Club

2009-11-18T03:11:00.000-08:00

Some people went to great efforts. Raised the bar. Like Estelle, who roasted lamb, and brought it still warm, in time to try with her mint sauce. And Lydia who made corn fritters to try with her delicious Barbie sauce. I also have fond memories of Zoe's Red Pepper relish and Donald's Loquat and Mango chutney, but I came away with some runny jam and an I owe you note for some other runny jam. Sometimes the chutney lords don't smile on you.

It was a lovely picnic though, and Rachael and I made a Rocket cake for Sailor's fourth birthday. Clancy and the twins slayed us with cuteness and well, it's just a good bunch, even the ones with the runny jam.

Brother Clubs

2009-08-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

Not just sausage club, and cake club, and the *friendly* chutney club, but I just stumbled upon the broast and Slappahhhhhzzzzzzzzz Tapassssssss.

*apparently we are the other chutney club, the original, exclusive and downright mean chutney club. Who needs to be friendly when you have chutney club?

Estelle's winter chutney club

2009-07-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Minutes from the last meeting

2009-06-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

There has been muttering about a winter chutney club.
Let us say Sunday the 26th of July.

On the agenda for the next meeting;

* Tomato Chutney.
* Spring meeting and collection for the second CHUTNEY CLUB XMAS HAMPER.
* Chutney Club Christmas Charity Raffle and Social.

Go forth and preserve. Let's buy another goat!

Chutney Club Christmas Cricket

2008-12-11T23:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, there was chutney and picnics and cricket and hooping (no hooper!) and cricketers moustaches and sausages and little children and a sack of presents... Was nice...

chutney club cristmas cricket

2008-11-19T02:02:00.000-08:00

Hello Tomato

2008-06-07T00:53:00.000-07:00

We had the Great Tomato Chutney Challenge at Rachel's place some weeks ago. In my opinion, a fine selection of chutneys - as well as a jelly and a sauce - that demonstrated the distance this club has come since its inception. And a lovely colour range - bright red to reddy-brown.

Photos to follow.

1940s Chutney Club

2008-01-31T03:26:00.001-08:00

Unidentified stacks of home-canned food (LOC)
Originally uploaded by The Library of Congress

From this amazing flickr page that Ronan pointed out

the letter

2008-01-31T03:14:00.001-08:00

proof
Originally uploaded by computercake

See below

official receipt for donations

2008-01-16T07:10:00.000-08:00

Thank You.

Organisation: Chutney Club

Your gift will go towards projects that are improving the lives of those in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Working in 26 countries, Oxfam Australia is providing people with the skills and resources needed to develop their own solutions to poverty. Simple things like seeds, clean water systems, and skills training can mean the difference between desperate poverty and hope for the future.

All gifts purchased through Oxfam Unwrapped are tried and tested items used in our everyday work, items that are making an enormous difference to poor families.

Purchased Items

$39 - Goat
$10 - Chickens
$39 - Goat
$35 - Piglets
$52 - Veggie gardens

Big Red Tomato Relish

2006-12-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

It's good with everything, cheesy melts, eggs, BBQ's, cold meats and sandwiches etc. It also makes a good Christmas present.

Ingredients

2.5 Kg. Tomatoes
1.25 Kg Onions
0.75 Kg raw Sugar
2 granny smith apples grated
1-Tablespoon Curry Powder
1-Tablespoon Salt
chopped fresh ginger
1 small chilli
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
0.5-Teaspoon Cayene Pepper (Optional – Spicy)
apple cider vinegar

Method:

Scald and skin tomatoes – cut into pieces. Slice onions and sprinkle over with the salt.
Put tomatoes & onions in pot and almost cover with vinegar, add remaining ingredients.

Boil all together until thick and spreadable consistency. Stir to avoid sticking to pot.

Bottle while hot in sterilised jars.

I often mess with this, by switching spices. Mustard seeds are good, so are cloves. A star anise, whole peppercorns or some coriander seeds. Follow your nose.

some photos

2006-08-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

from the meeting at flieschys...

quincy

2006-06-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

i'm making quince cheese. it smells amazing.

sugar sugar

2006-03-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

chutney club is mmmmm...eating again. it's all autumnal fruits, we have a few jams and jellies already so maybe it'll be another INSANE sugar rush...

somebody please go savoury....

9th april... 4pm.

we'll also plan this so called social...

want to win a meat pack?

2006-01-03T00:36:00.000-08:00

this is the barrel. i was barrel girl. we raised some funds. we shall meet soon to discuss the number of goats we can purchase... make plans for world domination...
sausage club and cake club both made appearances in the draw. didn't win though. xxx

buying a goat

2005-12-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

we are we are. for a hungry family. we might try to buy a few of them.

with funds raised from our annual chutney club christmas hamper raffle. tickets are on sale now. the draw is on the 24th of december at newtown social club 181 brunswick street 2 pm.

buy a ticket (there; or from your friendly club member) before then and you'll be in with a chance to win one of two hampers of chutney club booty... which means chrismas will be joyous and tasty.

some featured items are

drews jalapeno sauce
brookes mango & strawberry love jam
dell's peppercorn jelly
kates rhubarb & ginger jam
dons big apple chutney
estelles nectarine chutney
cate peachy-keen christmas chutney
annies date & apple chutney

also some other tasty goods...

funds rasied will also go towards our club social; which even sausage club will be invited too... cake club too. a taste sensation.

chutney club christmas hamper

2005-12-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

chutney club christmas hamper. we will meet on the day of sun. at the park with many jars. we will disperse them. rachael (yes she who was long lost to darwin and china) will return bearing secrets and annie shall return with our newest member for introductions and adoration and such. go forth and preserve.

and if someone tries to sell you a ticket in the chutney club christmas hamper BUY HEAPS!

you might win. and that would be grand. winners are grinners.

the apple of my eye

2005-11-16T00:38:00.000-08:00

we had the most idylic meeting ever. in brookies backyard sping time laying about on cushions looking at the very goodlooking chutney and chutney clubbers. tasted good too. my apple, rhubarb and black sesame jelly may have won the prize for best looking, you'll have to take my word for it...
NO here it is. pretty huh?

CHOOK eats chutney

bringing people together, chutney club love

DON'S BIG APPLE CHUTNEY

cake club intruder... AGAIN!

CHUTNEY. CLUB. IRON. CHEF. APPLE. CHALLENGE.

2005-10-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

need i say more? three weeks... cook it bitches. it just has to have apple in it.

BEST HOT PUMPKIN

2005-09-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

melbourne chutney clubbers

going international

2005-08-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

making new zealand chutney, maybe kiwi, maybe feijoa, probably kiwi. then maybe just bbq sauce. hope melbourne chutney is sweet.

mystery no. 1.

2005-08-19T01:48:00.000-07:00

the missing chutney club christmas hamper

we all donated one jar from our november meeting. held on the roof of my house in argyle street. i think. after our final countdown party. it was at my house on the bookshelf, as pictured until i moved out. in the confusion & mayhem that followed (three day garage sale / party) i have no recollection of who might have it.

we were just going to raise funds for drugs or something. and estelle express posted her chutney all the way from the national capital.

i must follow this up with the dolly go-lightly detective agency when i am back in melbourne town. if anyone has any clearer information don't hesitate to let us know.