Monday, July 14, 2008

Onion Chutney: The Most Delicious Condiment That You Didn't Know You Were Missing


Even though Rebar is one of my super favourite cookbooks and I've made many things from it, I'm still discovering new recipes. Recipes that I passed by before because they didn't interest me, had an ingredient I wasn't too fond of, or had esoteric ingredients. Well I'm really glad that this recipe caught my eye this time around because I am so in love with the onion chutney, which is really the star of the sandwich.


The main recipe is for a different take on a grilled cheese sandwich - with aged white cheddar, green apple, Dijon (yum), watercress (though I just used the greens I had) and onion chutney. We ate it with roasted red potatoes tossed with fresh herbs, as you can see. The grilled cheese was good, but the onion chutney was better. It's so easy to make and so so so full of flavour. It's the perfect condiment. Add it to anything! An omelette, a tofu scramble, a sandwich, a quesadilla, a spoon. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of the onion chutney, but take my word for it - it is deliciously amazing. The flavour reminds me of this extremely unhealthy extremely tasty pan fried onion dip, but is obviously much better for you. And a side note, I honestly wonder how more people do not have the Rebar cookbook.

If this sounds good, you might also like:
Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms in Mustard Wine Sauce
Pan Fried Onion Dip
Walnut and Mushroom Nut Roast
Sweet Potato Black Bean Salsa

Cheddar Chutney Grilled Cheese with Green Apple
Adapted from Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook

whole wheat bread
butter or margarine
aged white cheddar cheese
Dijon mustard
Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
lots and lots of onion chutney

Butter one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side of half of the slices, spread Dijon mustard and layer with chutney, apple slices, cheddar and greens. Top with remaining bread slices, butter side up. (It seems really ridiculous that I'm basically writing out a recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich... but since I'm at it, in order to keep the sandwich together and things from sliding out, try to disperse the cheese throughout the layers in the sandwich instead of just putting them between the apple and greens.)

Heat a pan over medium-low and cook sandwiches on both sides until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy and golden.

Onion Chutney

2 tbsp butter
2 yellow onions, diced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red chile flakes
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp brown sugar
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Heat butter in a pan over medium heat and add onions. Saute until translucent. Add salt, chile flakes and coriander and continue to cook for 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and cook until the onions are very soft and creamy.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am a right FOOL for all chutneys! I have had this wonderful onion chutney from the UK and also pear and quince chutney, tomato chutney and about a dozen other different chutneys I fell upon at Whole Foods a few years ago. Chutney and cheese is perfect and I love the idea of a grilled cheese sandwich with it. This looks so great. Lovely photo!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

It's always fun to discover new recipes from an old favorite cookbook, isn't it?? I'm doing that myself!! :0)

Anna said...

Oooh, we have a caramelised onion chutney in our fridge right now, and you were right; I didn't know I was missing it until I first tasted it! (I now add it to everything, being a classy type). Definitely making this one!

kickpleat said...

i love chutney and that sandwich looks amazing! yum. i'll be heading to my rebar cookbook soon. like for lunch :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for pointing this out! I have ReBar, too, and never saw that recipe--but you can be sure I'll try it, now. Love the combo in that sandwich!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I love onion chutney, will have to try!

Carla said...

Onion chutney? I've heard of mango chutney but not onion. It sounds simple enough, so I'll have to give it a try.

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

This would be one of my last vegetarians cookbooks to go. I just love this cookbook. Thanks for sharing the recipes you made from the book. I'm looking for more reviews.

Susan @ SGCC said...

Ooooh! Onion chutney sounds heavenly! Your sandwich is making me drool! ;)

test it comm said...

The onion chutney sounds good and that sandwich looks really good!

Lisa said...

That is a beautiful sandwich photo and one interesting sandwich! What's more that onion chutney sounds very tasty indeed.

Gigi said...

ooo, i do love onion chutney. that sandwich looks really yummy!

grace said...

mmm...sweet, glorious onions. that's just the way i like 'em, and teamed up with apples and mustard and cheddar--phenomenal. great recipe! :)

Anonymous said...

i have never had chutney in any form,but this sounds to good not to try!

Fitness Foodie said...

Love the look of that melted cheese with onion chutney and apple. I love making chutney.

Artifax said...

Never heard of onion chutney. Sounds intriguing and very flavorful!

Way too hot to cook here, but I bookmarked that cookbook at Amazon :)

mimi said...

i have a weakness for grilled cheese sammiches, but these look gorgeous!! definitely want to try them out!

Anonymous said...

I'm ashamed to admit that I also have Rebar, but have only made one recipe from it---some sort of peanut butter/chocolate bars (they were excellent, BTW). I'll have to try that chutney, especially now that I've heard how good it is!

Deborah said...

I can't tell you how many grilled cheese sandwiches I've had lately, and this sounds like the perfect companion!

Cakespy said...

*Sputters, chokes and dies* that top photo is so unbelievably appealing to me--grilled cheese with onion chutney, I never met you but I love you!

Grilled cheese is one of my absolute faves and it's wonderful to see this new way of enjoying it. Onion chutney, I love you.

Johanna GGG said...

your sandwich looks excellent! I love dipping into old cookbooks and making new discoveries - but I can't say I have ever heard of the rebar book except for the occasional mention by you! Must be an American (Canadian?) thing.

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Cookie baker Lynn said...

Wow, onion chutney sounds amazing! I'll have to spice up my lunch today.

Katy said...

now i know i'm missing it! gah! really, it sounds amazing -- yum.

Katie Zeller said...

Never heard of the cook book (explains why I don't have it) but the chutney sounds amazing!

removed said...

I am so making this as soon as I take my next trip to the grocery store. It sounds so good.

Jaime said...

wow this sandwich looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

I've never made a chutney, but this recipe has convinced me that I should. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recipe! I made the chutney and the sandwich. I had it with a side of sweet potato fries and a brownie for dessert, and it was SO delicious and satisfying! haha.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this wonderful recipe. We had it tonight for dinner, and I made it on cranberry bread. It was sensational.

eatme_delicious said...

Anonymous: So glad you enjoyed it. :) I bet it was delicious on cranberry bread.