Lunch: Spiced Cranberry and Dried-Fruit Chutney

Recipe by Jan Schroeder, Corvallis, OR Jan Schroeder of Corvallis, Oregon, writes: "A great thing about my job is that I get to do a lot of cooking. I work for the berry industry and one of my duties is developing recipes. I often get ideas from local ch

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Cranberries

Health and fertility benefits of Spiced Cranberry and Dried-Fruit Chutney

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries.

Ingredients

2 cups fresh cranberries
16 dried apricot halves
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup frozen concentrated cranberry juice cocktail, thawed
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Stir all ingredients except vinegar in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high; boil until thick, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Mix in vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover; chill.)

Add a review for Spiced Cranberry and Dried-Fruit Chutney