Uncategorized - Inspired Edibles

If you want to delight your guests and loved ones with a beautiful, delicious and succulent seasonal jam, have I got the thing for you!

Even better? This version is brimming with nutrients and will only take you about 10 minutes to whip up (yup, that’s right, 10 minutes!). Oh and don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul… your domestic goddess status is safe with me.

I’ve always relished the idea of jam but rarely eat it because most commercial brands and home preserved varieties are more about the added sugar than the fruit. It’s a real shame too because fruit contains so much natural goodness (and plenty of sweetness), it doesn’t actually require much messing.

But how to create a jam without the pectin and the heavy sugar load needed to activate it?

That’s what I love about this recipe. It allows the taste and the star quality of the fruit to shine through without bogging it down with additives/preservatives. Chia seed is a natural gelling agent and a perfect fit for this raw, natural variety of homespun jam. Chia also brings with it an array of nutrients to complement the fruit, which you can read more about in the Nutrition & Cooking Notes.

The other fun thing about this recipe is that you can choose (and vary) the fruit according to its seasonal availability to create a different taste experience each time. Chia works particularly well with berries because the tiny seeds mimic those natively found in the fruit but you could certainly experiment with other pulsed fruit (or ideally a combination of berry and other fruit) and see how the resulting texture appeals. With something this easy, it’s not much of a stretch to imagine creating a new variety every week. And now that the warmer months are finally upon us [yay] it’s nice to support local growers and benefit from fruit at its peak of freshness and nutrient quality whenever possible.

By the way, I also think these little jam jars would make a gorgeous hostess or mother’s day gift!

No?

All Natural Mixed Berry Chia Jam

All Natural Mixed Berry Chia Jam

8 – 12 (about 150 grams) plump, juicy and happy fresh strawberries
1/2 cup (80 grams) dazzling fresh blueberries
1 Tbsp (15 mL) orange juice
1 Tbsp (15 mL) orange zest, optional
1 Tbsp (15 mL) pure maple syrup
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
2 Tbsp (30 mL) chia seed

Makes about 1 cup of mixed berry chia jam (6 servings)

Nutrition & Cooking Notes:

Chia Seed: Chia seeds offer plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, antioxidants and an impressive array of minerals. Unlike flaxseed, chia does not have to be ground to be bioavailable (ie: to be absorbed and usable by the body). Flaxseed has a similar nutrition profile to chia (with slightly less fibre, omega-3s and minerals per serving) but flaxseed has the added benefit of containing lignans – plant compounds believed to be protective of breast health – which chia does not. Chia is more expensive than flaxseed but due to the highly concentrated nature of its nutrients on a gram per gram basis, a small amount of chia goes a long way. You can find chia seed at any health food store and many larger grocery stores.
Fresh & Frozen Fruit: Chia works particularly well with berries in this recipe because the tiny chia seeds mimic those found natively in the fruit but you can certainly experiment with different pulsed fruit (maybe a combination of berry and other fruit such as apple, peach, plum or apricot for example) and see how you like the resulting texture. Frozen berries will work here but you may need to thaw them first and allow some of the moisture to drain. You can also increase the amount of chia seed to enhance gelling effect if there is a higher moisture content from the frozen fruit. Again, some experimentation may be required.
Citrus, Spice & Fresh Herbs: You can play around with different varieties of citrus including lemon, lime and orange and add other flavorings such as cinnamon, clove, cardamom, anise and ginger. Fresh herbs such as basil, thyme and mint can also add a zing factor.
Not a Preserve: It’s important to note that the featured recipe is a raw, fresh food jam that does not contain any additives or preservatives. This particular jam is not suitable for canning or long term storage. It should be kept in a container in the fridge and enjoyed within one week.

Directions:

Combine: strawberries, blueberries, orange zest, orange juice, honey and vanilla extract in a blender or food processor. Pulse briefly until desired consistency is achieved. For a chunky jam with pieces of fruit still visible, you will only need two or three pulses. This will also allow the blueberry to appear distinct from the strawberry which is quite beautiful. If you prefer a more uniform colour and a smoother texture, continue pulsing until desired consistency is achieved.
Transfer fruit mixture to a suitably sized bowl and add chia seed, mixing with a wooden spoon to combine. Your fruit mixture will gel relatively quickly but I like to leave the mixture in the fridge for about 2 hours before serving for an ideal jam consistency. You can store the jam in a glass mason jar in the fridge or any covered container to be consumed within one week.
Keep in mind that this is a raw, fresh food jam that does not contain any additives or preservatives. This particular jam is not suitable for canning or long term storage. It should be kept in a container in the fridge and enjoyed within one week. With a recipe this simple, you can make a new variation every week and take advantage of seasonal fruit and herbs from your garden throughout the summer!