Hey friends!

Today I wanted to revisit a recipe I actually posted way back when, because it's so versatile, tasty, and healthy - plus, I'm eating it right now, as I type... I like to multi-task sometimes, you know? ;)

The recipe I want to share with you (again) is for "Berry Chia 'Jam'," which is a delicious alternative to the sugar-laden jams and jellies you can find on your local supermarket shelves. This sweet, tart spread is much lower in sugar, contains plenty of fiber, and is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids!

When you mix the chia seeds with the juicy berries, the seeds absorb the liquid forming a sort of gel (thanks, soluble fiber!) that makes the consistency thick and spreadable. The longer you leave it, the more the seeds swell up from absorbing the juices and the thicker jam you'll have!

I like to spoon this onto toast (my current morning snack), sweet egg whites (sounds weird, but don't knock it til you try it), oatmeal, or protein crêpes, but you can put it on anything in the place of regular jam!

Here's my recipe, give it a try!

Berry Chia Jam:

Ingredients:

1 cup (126 grams) frozen mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp chia seeds
1-2 tbsp water, if needed
1-2 packets of sucralose, if desired

Directions:

Measure out berries into a microwave safe bowl, add vanilla extract and stir. Heat up/defrost berries until warm and juice begins to run. Add a packet of sucralose if desired. Add chia seeds to the berries and stir until well combined, crushing some of the berries in the process and leaving some intact.

The chia seeds will soak up the berry juice and plump up, continuing to do so as the mixture sits. Stir every couple of minutes, adding water as desired (1 tsp. at a time) to thin the mixture to a jammy consistency.

Use any way you'd use your favorite traditional jam - feel free to get creative! :) This will last at least a week in the fridge if you can manage not to eat it all at once!

Of course you can use different berries, mash/puree other fruit (ripe summer peaches, anyone?), or play with the amount of sweetener, proportions of fruit to chia seeds, etc. to suit your own personal tastes.

I hope you'll make chia jam today - let me know how it turns out!

Please feel free to comment, upvote, or resteem if you'd like! :)