Gooseberry relish

This relish has an Indian spicy taste but is quite sharp in the mouth.  It is excellent with cold meats or even fish or cheese.

Preparation Time: 20 Mins

Cooking Time: 40 Mins

Total Time: 1 Hr

Ingredients

250 gms          Sugar  - granulated   

50 ml              Vinegar  - cider       

500 gms          Gooseberries  - topped and tailed          

65 gms            Raisins      

50 ml              Water       

For the spice bag

½ tsp             Mustard seeds  - black

¼ tsp             Fennel seeds           

¼ tsp             Cumin seads           

¼ tsp             Nigella      

¼ tsp             Fenugreek

Method

To make up the spice bag…

Tie up the spices in a 20cm square piece of muslin.

To cook the relish…

Put the sugar, vinegar, water and spice bag into a preserving pan.  Heat gently to dissolve the sugar and to allow the spices to release their flavours into the syrup.  Remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for about 20 minutes.

Add the gooseberries and raisins to the spiced syrup.  Cook gently for 15-20 minutes until the mixture is thick – do not cook too much because it will set hard.  It should be slightly moist.  Remove from the heat, pour into warm sterilised jars and seal with vinegar-proof lids.

Use within 12 months.