Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
I’ve recently become infatuated with The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. Which is sort of ironic considering I’m not all that fashionable. Or even interested in it for that matter. But yet I find myself glued to the tv, obsessing over the oddest things. Like all those hats she sort of wears. How does she keep them on her head? Because you know she’s not wearing bobby pins.
Or is she?
No, she can’t be.
Right?
Ugh, I want to reach through the tv and straighten the hat. Or pull it off all together. They drive my crazy.
And can we talk about her husband Roger for a second? His hair is in that odd in between stage as he grows it out. If anyone should be wearing hats, it’s him. I wish he’d cut it. Or at least wash it. And why can’t he get dressed by himself? I may or may not have yelled at the tv the other night as he couldn’t decide between two of what appeared to the be same white shirts. I mean, come on people. Pick a shirt, get dressed and put a hat on that scraggley hair of yours. Your wife is a world famous designer for gods sake. Surely you’ve picked up a thing or two along the way, no?
So yes, these are the things currently keeping me up at night. Or at least occupying my thoughts before I go to sleep. It’s ridiculous really. And now I’m saying things like maj (major) and cra cra (crazy) to my kids and in return they just look at me blankly. I think I need to stop watching late night trashy TV. I could extend that thought by saying I need stop watching trashy TV altogether. I don’t know why or how I get sucked in. But somehow I do. If I start wearing an excessive amount of large hats at that perfectly odd angle, please send help. It will be time for an intervention.
So this jam? It’s also product of one of my latest obsessions: chia seeds. Packed full of omega-3’s and a complete protein, dare I say these are the new quinoa? They be taking the food world by storm. As much as I love the health benefits, I still haven’t figured out if I love them in recipes. They expand by something like 15 times. They absorb a ton of liquid making them my nemesis in a smoothie. They are however perfect in this quick and much healthier version of freezer jam. Sweetened with just a few tablespoons of maple syrup and thickened with the chia seeds, this jam is cra cra.
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Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
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Pin RecipeDescription
This quick and healthier version of freezer jam has only 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and is thickened with heart healthy chia seeds.
Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries, hulled and washed
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Put the strawberries in the base of a food processor or blender and pulse until desired consistency. (I like mine still a little chunky.)
- Transfer pureed berries to a small sauce pan and combine with maple syrup and chia seeds.
- Cook over medium-high heat just until it comes to a simmer. Turn heat back to low and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Transfer jam to a glass container and cool to room temperature before storing in refrigerator. Jam will thicken as it cools.
- Jam will last up to two weeks in the fridge.
30 Comments
I’m obsessed with strawberry jam right now. I’ve probably made three batches already this season. Love this variation!
Can honey be subbed for the maple syrup?
Definitely! Any kind (or amount) of sweetener will work great!
Looks like a good way to use chia seeds. We’ve recently started eating them so this is a great recipe find. Thanks
It’s hard to find ways to use them outside of sprinkling on yogurt or smoothies. I thought this was a great idea!
don’t forget not to put too much chia seeds because it contains a lot of fibers so too much will result in serious constipation
Chia seeds are gelatinous and contain fiber, both of which help with constipation. My daughters GI doc recommends them for treating constipation, even, so I’m a little confused by this comment.
Beautiful! Love this. And Rachel Zoe too. And any Bravo show for that matter. It’s a bad situation.
Do you think we could freeze or pressure can this?
I don’t know as I haven’t tried. Maybe freezing? I don’t think I’d can it.
Love this soooo much. Can’t wait to use it with the strawberries from my garden in a month or so. And your new design? ROCKIN’.
Thanks Lindsey! I have serious envy that you have a strawberry garden. The jam is awesome!
I JUST made this tonight and it’s amazing!!! Miss you and hope all is well.
xoxo
Yeah! It’s good, isn’t it? I can’t wait to try it with other fruit this summer!
Do you have to heat this? I would think that just leaving it sit would let it gel.
I don’t think you have to heat it as the chia seeds will gel no matter what. I just like to heat the sweetener through the berries first!
I just made this tonight (in like 7 mins!) and I have to say its awesome! Especially for how easy it is! I was wanting to thicken jam with chia, but had no clue how much to use;) Glad I came across your site! Thanks for the great recipe, I can’t wait to try it with raspberries!
I think it would be great with any fruit. I’m excited to use some peaches this summer!
I just used this recipe as a base and made peach, apricot, and blackberry jams with fruit I had that was getting too soft to eat. Turned out great! Thanks for the inspiration!
You bet. I bet it’s great with peaches!
This is a great recipe. I know some folks don’t want to heat the berries but the flavour is intensified so much. Raw is also good, but I find your variation has much more complexity as far as flavour goes.
Thanks
Krista
Do you know if this can be canned in a water bath?
It definitely can not be canned.
Hi,
I was wondering why it cannot be canned in a hot water bath?
Thanks!
I have a beautiful batch of strawberries. There is way more than I can eat or freeze.
How much would you say this recipe makes? A pint maybe?
Exactly!
Since you can’t can this recipe…. Do you think I could freeze all the amazing ripe strawberries available now and use them this winter to make the jam?
I think that would work just fine!
I was wondering if any one has tried to freeze this to have as a freezer Jam?