A friend inspired me to make homemade jam and it is a real game changer! I used to hate eating jam because it was full of sugar and lacked authentic flavors. The homemade version is so easy to make, is customizable, and tastes like actual fruit: three things that check all my boxes. I now put this in salad, on toast, in oatmeal, and I could probably spoon it plain.
Inspired by Upbeet Anisha.
Ingredients
Makes 1/2 c jam
3/4 c fresh or frozen berries
1 T lemon juice
1 T butter (sub coconut oil)
2 t chia seeds
1 T maple syrup (adjust to liking)
Directions
If using frozen fruit, microwave fruit for 1 minute. Drain the liquid.
Mix together berries, lemon juice, butter, and chia seeds in a small sauce pain until berries are mushy and mixture comes to a simmer.
Turn off the heat and mash berries until there are no large chunks (you can control how chunky you want your jam in this step).
Turn on the heat and add maple syrup. Taste test the jam to ensure it is how sweet you desire. You can always add more maple syrup at the end if you are not happy with the sweetness. Cook berry mixture on high for ~5 minutes at a steady simmer. The mixture will start to thicken as the water evaporates. Keep cooking until you reach a thickness you desire.
Transfer to mason jar when mixture slightly cools. Let jam completely cool without the lid.
Stores for at least three weeks in the refrigerator. I recommend freezing it if you plan on using it longer.