Cranberry Apple Chutney

A delicious, simple alternative to canned cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. This also makes an excellent appetizer as a topping for baked brie.

Cranberry Apple Chutney

Adapted from a 2004 issue of Gourmet magazine

1 12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries

2-3 Granny Smith apples

2/3 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 cup orange juice

3 T butter

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel, core, and dice apples into about 1/2 inch chunks. Toss gently with orange juice, brown sugar, ginger and cloves in a 9x13 pan. Cut the butter into small pieces and dot over the top. Bake for approximately 1 hour, stirring 2-3 times. Add cranberries and continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes, stir 2-3 times and cook until cranberries have broken down to large chunks. Transfer chutney to a bowl and serve or to heat proof storage container (a large Mason jar works perfectly) and let cool, then refrigerate until ready to use. When you want to serve, reheat in the microwave or serve cold if desired. This can be kept sealed in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.