A closeup of a pot of beefstew.
FOOD NEWS
The Unanticipated Ingredient That Gives Beef Stew A Punch Of Flavor
By Greta Pano
A pot of beef stew beside a bowl of herbs.
If you want to step up your beef stew game this winter season, fruit chutney can give bland stew the flavor kick it needs.
A mason jar filled with chutney.
It may seem peculiar, but fruit chutney creates an ideal balance of sweet and savory that is perfect for changing up the flavor profile of this hearty dish.
A jar of chutney topped with star anise.
Fruit chutney, a condiment with South Asian origins, is commonly made with dried fruit and includes sugar and vinegar to give it a sweet and sour flavor.
A bowl of pilau rice served on a counter.
Fruit chutney is a savory, sometimes tangy or spicy, condiment with a jelly or jam-like texture often served on rice, meat, bread, and curry dishes. It's also used as a marinade.
A pot of beef stew surrounded by various ingredients surrounded by various ingredients.
If you're making your own chutney, you can make it as spicy or sweet as you want. Mango, apple, cherry, peach, pear, and mixed fruit chutney could work well in a stew.
A closeup of chuntney in a ramekin.
You can also find chutney at local supermarkets in various flavors and levels of spiciness, which will give you options to work with when it comes to sprucing up your beef stew.