It’s summer! Well, sort of here in Scotland… But the berries are now coming 🙂
I used to make tons of jam from the berries in my garden. I had a recipe that used only half the sugar. But that’s still a lot of sugar. So I stopped doing that.
Now I make small batches with any kind of fruit available and use chia seeds to thicken it into a delicious jam. And this jam actually helps to keep your gut functioning well.
Berries are just great. They are loaded with anti-oxidants, have a good amount of plant nutrients, minerals and fiber and they help fight inflammation. Plus: the beneficial bacteria in your gut thrive on them.
Chia seeds also pack a nutritional punch. Almost all their carbs are fiber, they have a decent amount of protein ánd are high in Omega 3 fatty acids. I have not tried this yet but I think you could use the cheaper linseeds as well. They are just as amazing. I do think you need to use them freshly ground, so not whole.
Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of berries, any kind. They can be fresh or frozen
- 2 tbps of chia seeds
- 1-2 tbsp of unrefined sweetener (maple syrup or raw honey work well)
- 1 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon (optional, depending on the tartness of the fruit)
How to do it:
- Heat fruit in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the fruit is heated through and begins to break down and bubble.Â
- Use a spoon or potato masher to mash the fruit to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the chia seeds and lemon juice.Â
- Now add your sweetener to taste – but in moderation. Start with 1 tablespoon.
- Remove from heat and let cool for a bit. The jam will get thicker!
- Give the jam another good stir. Then serve or transfer to a jar
- It keeps for up to 1 week in the fridge or , up to 3 months in the freezer.
