This morning I made strawberry and blueberry chia jam. It has been a revelation! So quick and simple to make, and such a tasty yet healthy treat for adults and babies alike! I honestly think this may become a regular fixture in our fridge. Lauded as a superfood, chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and are rich in fibre and protein. But, most importantly for this recipe, they turn any liquid into a thick gel - perfect for making jam! When making jam with chia seeds the seeds do all the work. Instead of relying on pectin and loads of added sugar to help it set all you need to do is stir in some chia seeds. Within a few minutes the chia seeds will absorb the fruit juices and thicken it to a jammy consistency. Perfect for spreading on toast, crumpets or scones (on top of the cream, obviously!!) or stirring through yoghurt or porridge. The ratio of ingredients is really simple too - perfect for batching up if you want to make larger quantities... 🍓1 cup of chopped fruit 🥄1 tablespoon of chia seeds 🍋1 tablespoon of lemon juice 🍯1 tablespoon of agave syrup (or maple syrup or any other sweetener) - optional! To make.. 🔪Wash and chop your chosen fruit ♨️Heat in a pan for 5-10 minutes until soft and syrupy 🥄Mash with a potato masher or spoon to desired consistency 🥄Stir in lemon juice and agave syrup (or alternative sweetener), if required 🥄Stir in chia seeds ⏰Leave for 5 minutes to allow the seeds to thicken the jam Eat fresh, refrigerate or freeze. The jam with thicken further when cooled in fridge. Note: Chia seeds aren't the cheapest thing in the world, but a little goes a long way and they store well. If you look around you can usually find some good deals - Aldi seem to have them quite cheap, and Tesco sell small 'shot' size packs (which are 7.5g each, so you'll probably need two packs for the above recipe).
