Chutney for 250 people - help!

[HotSteppa]

My lovely friend is getting married and instead of a cake will be serving a tower of pies and cheeses in the evening. I have volunteered to make picked onions and chutney to accompany them. The onions are done and I went with doing roughly one a head thinking some people wont hsve any and some will have a few, worked out at 10 1ltr ikea jars!! I really need to crack on with the chutney but was thinking how much to do and how to present? I figure 6 1 ltr jars? Are the large jars too much here? Will they get a bit manky with people repeatedly digging in? its going to be on a big buffet table so cant do a jar per table. Also should I maybe do 2 types? was gonna do a tried and tested nigella apple beetroot and ginger one but maybe I could do a second? would have to be cheap and a crowd pleaser, its already cost much more than I bargained for. Ideas anyone? ??

[AuntyBatshit]

Hi there! You can buy mini glass jars in packs of 48. Will try to link.

[MOONthatspellsmoon]

1oz (33ml) mini jam jar - www.thebottleandjarcompany.co.uk/#!/1oz-33ml-mini-jam-jar/p/28288215/category=5587564

Something like this?

[swisscheesetony]

I do the Nigella apple chutney with a huge dollop of turmeric & cloves - always goes down well.

I'd go for lots of smaller jars, even if they're spaced only 18" apart or so, you could even leave lids on so not every jar gets attacked needlessly.

If you use 1litre jars you're going to end up with lots of spillage, fingers and people not wanting to dive in as it'll "look" messy.

[MOONthatspellsmoon]

What swiss said (fab name btw!). Smaller jars also allow for variants on the type of chutney.

[JinglyJanglyJungleBigGameTours]

I'd go for smaller jars too, it'll be hard to get the chutney out of the bottom of the ikea 1ltr jars once its past the halfway point and people might get chutney on their fancy wedding clothes.

[HotSteppa]

Ok so im going to go for the 0.5 ltr ikea jars, figure they are squat enough to get a spoon to the bottom of and won't be left hanging around full of crumbs to long. Thanks for the link to the diddy ones, they are lovely but a bit pricey and a faf for 250 people, though they would look nice stacked full of different chutneys. hmmmm.

Do you think more than one chutney? Any one got any budget friendly recipes they can share. Any advice on quantities?

Thanks all

[MOONthatspellsmoon]

Market stall at the end of market day, they're practically giving it away where I live! Nigella's chilli jam is fab- we're still eating it from Christmas! Have you considered making piccalilli? Delia's is quite nice.

[FawnDrench]

Some lovely recipes using a few different types of fruit and vegetableswww.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/pickles-jams-and-chutneyshere

[User543212345]

Caramelised red onion chutney will be a winner for the second one, I think. It's cheap (onion, sugar, vinegar) and easy (cut up the onions in the food processor and that's it) and goes with everything! I use this recipe from moneysavirngexpert:

Caramelised Onion Chutney

6 large onions (red or white)
3 cups of sherry or red wine vinegar (about 8fl oz per cup)
3 cups of sugar (brown if poss) but you can use white
2-4 bay leaves
20 black peppercorns crushed

Place all ingredients in large stainless steel saucepan.
Bring to boil and simmer gently until liquid has evaporated and onions are translucent. (This normally takes about an hour to 90 mins)
Pour into sterilized jars.
This keeps for 3 - 6 months in the fridge and makes approx 2 - 3lb. It has quite a sweet taste and is great with cheese and cold meats etc.

[FawnDrench]

Oops sorry - link fail!
I meant here

[lilolilmanchester]

Why don't you decant from large jars to small bowls/ramekins with spoons for serving? The small jars look sweet but a nightmare to fill and probably not easy to get the chutney out ,

[HotSteppa]

So 20 of the squat 0.5lt ikea jars, nearly 5lts of vinegar and more red onions than I want to remember I am done! Did half beetroot and apple and half caramelised red onion. Husband and I have just polished off the last bits that didn't fit in the jars with some cheese and crackers and it was yum, should be even better in a few months time. Ta muchly for all the help, just hope ive made enough!

[whois]

Sounds like you've done some good work there for the wedding!