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Grid Iron Meat

GRID IRON GOURMET / THE KITCHEN

Preserving Recipe: Cherry Tomato Burger Relish

This cherry tomato burger relish combines red and yellow cherry tomatoes for a sweet, tangy, and lightly spiced flavour that’s perfect for BBQs, burgers, sausages, and grilled meats. By scaling up and preserving, you’ll have jars of summer flavour ready for months to come.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1kg cherry tomatoes (half red, half yellow), halved
  • 3 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 2 red peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 250ml cider vinegar
  • 250g soft light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp tomato purée
  • 2–3 fresh red chillies, finely chopped (optional, adjust heat to taste)
  • 2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
METHOD

  1. Sterilise jars: Wash jars in hot, soapy water, then place in a low oven (120°C) for at least 20 minutes to sterilise. Boil lids in water for 5 minutes.
  2. Cook the base: Heat olive oil in a large preserving pan. Add onions, peppers, and garlic. Cook on a gentle heat for 10–12 minutes until softened.
  3. Add tomatoes: Stir in all the cherry tomatoes and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes until they start to collapse and release juice.
  4. Flavour and enrich: Add vinegar, sugar, tomato purée, chillies, spices, salt, and pepper. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  5. Simmer: Lower heat and cook for 45–60 minutes, stirring regularly, until thickened and glossy. The relish should mound on a spoon.
  6. Jar up: Spoon hot relish into sterilised jars, leaving 1cm headspace. Seal immediately with sterilised lids.
  7. Cool & store: Allow jars to cool undisturbed. Store in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 6 months. Once opened, refrigerate and eat within 3 weeks.

Hot Tips

  • Balance: Taste towards the end — if too sharp, add a touch more sugar; if too sweet, a splash of vinegar.
  • Texture: Keep chunky for burgers, or blend briefly for a smoother finish.
  • Boost: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for extra savoury depth.
  • Serving: Ideal on burgers, hot dogs, with cold cuts, or as a dipper for chips.

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