My dad loved jam and introduced me to eating it on everything from toast to crackers to ice cream! I have a found that it’s quite easy to make a delicious homemade jam in about 30 minutes, using fresh or frozen berries. I took my usual easy jam recipe and added chia seeds and the result was amazing! All you need is berries, sweetener, lemon juice and chia seeds! Give it a try and let me know how it turned out.
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries or raspberries (or a combination of both) or 2 cups fresh berries of your choice
3-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, depending on taste
pinch of salt
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 strong steeped tea or water (I used a peach black tea that added some lovely flavor)
2 tbs. chia seeds
Method of Preparation:
If using fresh berries, wash them and strawberries should have the stems removed and be sliced in half or quarters if they are really large. Frozen berries can be used whole and then mashed after they soften.
Place the berries in a medium size pot. Add the maple syrup or honey, salt, lemon juice and tea or water. Over medium low heat, heat ingredients to a simmer, stirring every few minutes. As the fruit soften, you can mash it with a masher or large spoon. Cook the jam approximately 10 minutes or until it begins to thicken. Take off heat and add the chia seeds.
When cool, place the jam in a container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Try this jam on toast, oatmeal, plain yogurt or a pb&j!
