Everyone loves jam. But I always tell people to have it sparingly because it usually contains a huge amount of sugar! On the search for a recipe that works and tastes like real jam without the hefty sugar high that goes with it, I found 2. One was a no cook recipe, one was a cook recipe. We tried them both, and here’s the results of our jamsperiment – like what I did there?
Now, nutritionally, you’re probably thinking – its jam, what could possibly be good about jam, but actually this recipe includes chia seeds, which are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. They help to raise HDL cholesterol. HDL is the “good” cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke. Chia seeds are also rich in antioxidants, and they provide fiber, iron, and calcium. Wahoo! Of course, all those strawberries give you a high dose of antioxidant goodness too!
RECIPE 1 – THE COOK RECIPE
Ingredients:
Strawberries – depending on how much jam you want to make. We used a pan full, around 2 large punnets.
 
Agave Syrup – this is where you’re going to get your sweetness from, you only need 3 tablespoons.
Chia seeds – around 3 tablespoons.
Lemon juice – half a lemon squeezed
Instructions:
Add the strawberries and the agave to a low heat pan, and start to stir and mash the strawberries for 10 minutes.
Use a hand blender (or patience and mash with masher) and start to create a paste like substance.
After another 10 minutes of simmering, it should start to thicken. Add chia seeds now, and leave to simmer for another 15 minutes until desire thickness.
Add to a heated up jar, and leave to set on the side until cool enough for the fridge.
RECIPE 2 – NO COOK
Now, the second recipe involved the exact same ingredients as above, but without the heating up.
We blended the ingredients and refrigerated overnight instead.
The result? A smoothie mix. I am not sure how this would work to become a jam like substance, but what we thought would happen did…nothing happened. But we did the taste test anyway!
THE COOKED JAM was the clear winner – tasted just like real jam, and so delicious on cracker bread! So good we have just bought another 4 punnets of strawberries for a few more batches!
JAMÂ ON!
