Jam.
When I think of jam, I think of strawberry jam spread on toast, or raspberry jam tarts, neither of which I have ever enjoyed! Growing up, we were more a Marmite on toast family, with a giant jar always in the cupboard. Or, we had cheese on toast, or beans on toast. I think jam in our house was just for scones and even then, I think I probably just ate the scones with butter!
The Jam Recipe
Now, this recipe is a far from typical jam recipe! If you have ever made (or attempted to make), any type of jam, you will know you need time, patience, fruit, a ton of sugar, sterilised jars and a saucer of cold water for testing. This recipe is so much simpler. Here you will find a very simple way of making jam for your toast, your porridge, your pancakes or for scones!
Jam Flavours
This is where your own favourites and preferences come in. I would suggest using whatever is in season and you can easily get hold of. You can go traditional with strawberry, raspberry or apricot. Be adventurous with rhubarb, fig or gooseberry. Create a mixture of your own with various fruits. Try making an apple or pear jam. I also suggest adding some spices to your jam! Cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves or ginger will all work with the correct pairings. Experiment and enjoy!
An easy recipe to create your own perfect flavour of delicious jam
- 2-3 cups washed, peeled, stoned, chopped fruit of choice
- 1-2 cups cold water
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar if required (or other sweetener)
- 1/2-1 teaspoon spice of choice
- 2-4 tablespoons chia seeds
Prepare your fruit and place in a saucepan. Add the water to cover halfway up the fruit. Cover and cook on a low heat for 5-15 minutes (depends on the fruit).
If using sugar (or other sweetener), add this to the fruit, stir in and test for sweetness. Add your spices (note, cinnamon is a natural sweetener so you could use this instead of sugar for a more natural and healthier alternative).
When the fruit is cooked to your desired softness and taste, sprinkle half the chia seeds over the pan, then gently mix in and leave for 5 minutes.
Check the consistency of your jam and add more chia seeds if a thicker jam is required. The jam will set a bit more on cooling.
Cover the pan and allow the chia seeds to absorb a bit more liquid for 10 minutes. Your jam is now ready to store (or eat)! Store in airtight jars and keep in the fridge.
Enjoy!
What do I need?
You can (as with most of my recipes), make your jam as easy or as complicated as you wish! I have created this recipe to show you how very easy it is to have your own delicious flavours of jam with minimal effort.
If you are new to cooking or your kitchen needs a refresh, here are a few useful things for this recipe. I receive a small commission if you click and purchase through these links (this is at no additional cost to you).
Serving
You can serve your jam with anything you like! Toast, crumpets, porridge, rice pudding or even in a cake!
Storage
This jam will store for quite a while, depending on the sugar content. Jam without sugar will keep for at least 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Jam with sugar will keep for a month or two in the fridge. Depending on the type of jar you store your jam in (and if you leave space at the top for expansion), this jam is freezable! Yes, you can freeze your jam! When defrosting, it will take 12-24 hours to defrost in the fridge.
Sharing
I hope you make your own delicious jam! I really do love seeing your adaptions and interpretations of my recipes and I’d love to see your jam photos! Please share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.
This week I have been having rhubarb, apple & cinnamon jam with a hint of orange on my porridge! What flavour are you going to try first?
Leave me a comment below… I love to chat!
I hope to speak with you soon
Laurena x
Chia seeds are magic lol- I’m still amazed at how easy it is to make jam with them! I first came across this way of making jam when I bought Niomi Smart’s book, feels like years ago now. I like the classic strawberry jam in the summer but the rest of the year ‘cheat’ with frozen berries (and cornflour to thicken it a bit more lol). I like adding mixed spice and lemon, of course☺️ As much as I love toast and jam, I like eating this more as a compote with yoghurt or spoonfuls of it mixed into tahini x
I love that Eva – magic chia seeds! They are fantastic though and did you know they contain a decent amount of protein too (for their size)! oh, and those all important omega-3’s! Interesting that you mix it into tahini – that’s reminded me of something else I need to share! Hope all is well with you… for some reason this comment went in my spam!!!