AURORA – The first public cooking demonstrations at the new Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in Aurora took place Sept. 26 in the demo kitchen on the ground floor of the 94,000-square-foot facility on East Montview Boulevard that has been open since April. The inaugural public lesson included step-by-step instructions on how to prepare simple recipes an autumn chutney filled with pears, apples and coriander. The goal was to educate consumers on healthy options for those looking to learn new approaches in the kitchen. Led by Wellness Center dietitian Kristen Frie and fitness specialist Liz Hatch, the public cooking demo had nutrition and education at its heart.

Here’s Hatch’s chutney recipe.

AUTUMN CHUTNEY

5 large tart apples, peeled and cut in large chunks

3 large firm pears, peeled and cut in large chunks

1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 orange

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup cider vinegar

2 to 3 tablespoons sherry or cider vinegar

2 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1-1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds (optional)

2 tablespoons brandy

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup golden raisins

In a large shallow pan, combine all ingredients except raisins. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low and cook 20 minutes or until fruit has released a lot of juice. Add raisins and cook 10 minutes more. When the fruit is swimming in juice, drain into a sieve set over a medium bowl. Set drained fruit aside and return juice to the pan. Reduce juice over medium high heat until it is syrupy and reduced at least by half (syrup should coat a spoon). Return drained fruit to bowl and add reduced syrup.

Let the chutney cool for a few minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks then pour into a clean glass jar or a heatproof plastic container. Cover and chill. Chutney will keep for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator. Makes about 16, 1/4-cup servings.

Serving note: This chutney can be served with roast turkey, chicken, pork or game.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 117; Total fat: less than 1 gram; Protein: less than 1 gram; Total carbohydrate: 29 grams; Total sugars: 23 grams; Dietary fiber: 2.7 grams; Sodium: 76 milligrams.

Staff writer Adam Goldstein contributed to this feature.