Cooking
What happens when Scottish creativity meets a Central America chili pepper in San Francisco? My choice for the Taste Everything Independent Food Festival Awards is what: McQuade's Elgin Habanero Chutney. Alison McQuade handcrafts chutneys that are bright and deliciously spiced with just the right amount of heat. She uses only natural ingredients and doesn't overcook the chutney keeping it chunky and fresh tasting, not gooey. All her chutneys reach the perfect balance of spices, sweet and sour flavors that gives them their distinctive tang.
Alison began making chutney as a gift for friends and neighbors, using her grandmother's Spiced Apple Chutney recipe. But she quickly went beyond the traditional with seasonal flavors like Cranberry and Mandarin, Melon and Peach and even Persimmon. Now her chutneys can be found on local menus and in shops, although they are still popular with her neighbors. Look for them in places like Cowgirl Creamery at the Ferry Building Marketplace, because they pair so well with cheese.
Though I like all of McQuade's chutneys, Elgin Habanero Chutney, a combination of apples, onions, chilies, crystallized ginger and a mix of Indian spices has got to be my favorite. I use it more as a condiment like salsa than traditional chutney. Sure it's great in a grilled cheese sandwich or with roast lamb, but try it on a hamburger, on a baked potato, or a quesadilla. Wow!
While Alison pays homage to her native Scotland in the naming of her chutneys, her inspiration comes from what's fresh, what's new and sometimes even what's on the cocktail menu (could a Mojito chutney be next?). When it's a little warmth I crave, Elgin Habanero Chutney is just the thing. McQuade's chutney is the perfect antidote to the foggy days of Scotland or San Francisco. (that's also why the jar is only half full)
FOOD + CHUTNEY + SCOTLAND + SAN FRANCISCO
For more information, please visit the Taste Everything Independent Food Festival Awards.
- Meet Me At The Fall Harvest Festival
This Saturday I will once again be helping out my friend Alison who makes the much loved McQuade's Chutney at Cheese Plus here on Russian Hill. In addition to trying Alison's chutney you can also sample the wares of these fine vendors: Sausages...
- Try It, You'll Like It!
This Saturday June 2nd Cheese Plus is having an anniversay event. Stop by between 3 and 7 pm and taste local goodies I love like CMB Sweets jam, McQuade's Chutney and Charles Chocolates. In fact, I will be the one sampling my friend Alison's...
- Chutney Cheese Puffs: Recipe
I'm a cheater, in the kitchen anyway. While I may not be a fan of mac and cheese from a box, I positively love using gourmet specialty products. What kinds of products? Jams, mustards, chutney, tapenade, Chinese sauces, so many things! Two of my...
- Wine & Chutney Tasting Event
The best thing about writing this blog ain't the money. There is none. It's trying great food and meeting terrific people. I have met more local folks involved in making and serving food and wine in the past year than ever before. I've also...
- All About Chutney
I first had chutney served with Indian food, probably with curry. It was thick and gloppy and vinegary but I loved it anyway. Since that time I have eaten chutney with roasted meats such as lamb and pork and I can't bear to eat a cheese sandwich...
Cooking
Brightest Sunshine in a Jar:McQuade's Elgin Habanero Chutney
What happens when Scottish creativity meets a Central America chili pepper in San Francisco? My choice for the Taste Everything Independent Food Festival Awards is what: McQuade's Elgin Habanero Chutney. Alison McQuade handcrafts chutneys that are bright and deliciously spiced with just the right amount of heat. She uses only natural ingredients and doesn't overcook the chutney keeping it chunky and fresh tasting, not gooey. All her chutneys reach the perfect balance of spices, sweet and sour flavors that gives them their distinctive tang.
Alison began making chutney as a gift for friends and neighbors, using her grandmother's Spiced Apple Chutney recipe. But she quickly went beyond the traditional with seasonal flavors like Cranberry and Mandarin, Melon and Peach and even Persimmon. Now her chutneys can be found on local menus and in shops, although they are still popular with her neighbors. Look for them in places like Cowgirl Creamery at the Ferry Building Marketplace, because they pair so well with cheese.
Though I like all of McQuade's chutneys, Elgin Habanero Chutney, a combination of apples, onions, chilies, crystallized ginger and a mix of Indian spices has got to be my favorite. I use it more as a condiment like salsa than traditional chutney. Sure it's great in a grilled cheese sandwich or with roast lamb, but try it on a hamburger, on a baked potato, or a quesadilla. Wow!
While Alison pays homage to her native Scotland in the naming of her chutneys, her inspiration comes from what's fresh, what's new and sometimes even what's on the cocktail menu (could a Mojito chutney be next?). When it's a little warmth I crave, Elgin Habanero Chutney is just the thing. McQuade's chutney is the perfect antidote to the foggy days of Scotland or San Francisco. (that's also why the jar is only half full)
FOOD + CHUTNEY + SCOTLAND + SAN FRANCISCO
For more information, please visit the Taste Everything Independent Food Festival Awards.
- Meet Me At The Fall Harvest Festival
This Saturday I will once again be helping out my friend Alison who makes the much loved McQuade's Chutney at Cheese Plus here on Russian Hill. In addition to trying Alison's chutney you can also sample the wares of these fine vendors: Sausages...
- Try It, You'll Like It!
This Saturday June 2nd Cheese Plus is having an anniversay event. Stop by between 3 and 7 pm and taste local goodies I love like CMB Sweets jam, McQuade's Chutney and Charles Chocolates. In fact, I will be the one sampling my friend Alison's...
- Chutney Cheese Puffs: Recipe
I'm a cheater, in the kitchen anyway. While I may not be a fan of mac and cheese from a box, I positively love using gourmet specialty products. What kinds of products? Jams, mustards, chutney, tapenade, Chinese sauces, so many things! Two of my...
- Wine & Chutney Tasting Event
The best thing about writing this blog ain't the money. There is none. It's trying great food and meeting terrific people. I have met more local folks involved in making and serving food and wine in the past year than ever before. I've also...
- All About Chutney
I first had chutney served with Indian food, probably with curry. It was thick and gloppy and vinegary but I loved it anyway. Since that time I have eaten chutney with roasted meats such as lamb and pork and I can't bear to eat a cheese sandwich...