Raw Chia Seed Berry Jam

This is another easily prepared tasty treat that I hesitate to claim will pass as a recipe. It doesn't get easier than this, especially taking into account all its nutritional and delectable rewards. We are providing a base recipe that should be tuned to one's taste preferences: sweet or tangy, crunchy or smooth? All I can suggest is to please try it once or twice, and adjust according to what you think works better.

This is great as a spread on toast, a bagel, rice cakes, buckwheat crisps or on a slice of fruit. Try it with the Cream Cheese recipe (also fairly straightforward) for a healthy go-to snack and toast topping combo. The jam also works a treat mixed in with a morning porridge. But, to be honest, is makes for great eating right out of the jar!

As per usual, the resolution to "make it myself!" stems from reading labels. I'm sorry, but I can't help it... Now, I'm not in the camp holding that sugar and all other processed forms of sucrose and fructose are the sources of all evil, even if I do find it unnecessary to regularly succumb to their wily, enticing ways. I would, however, rather skip the chemical nasties that are added to most industrially produced jams and, more than anything, I would prefer to have my food/fruit uncooked, full of vitamins and enzymes, the real thing. I understand the need to preserve food, but if it is accessible, frozen and consumed pretty quickly (max. 4-5 days for this recipe) then why not go for this tasty and very good-for-you version?

We find that frozen fruit works best for this recipe, as they are soft once defrosted and come pre-washed, are available all year and can be stored in a home freezer for practically immediate consumption. This recipe calls for frozen raspberries, which are "so hot right now" with Baby Green, but we are eager to try the jam with blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. Otherwise all that are needed are chia seeds and maple syrup. For a completely raw experience, pitted and soaked dates would work a treat but will require the use of a food processor to blend the dates into submission (puree/ teeny weeny pieces). If unfamiliar with chia seeds, they become gelatinous when wet (a replacement for pectin in this recipe), yet retain a little crunch, much like is found in a strawberry.

Ingredients:

• 300g frozen berries 
• 4 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Method:

• Defrost frozen berries. We place them in the fridge overnight for immediate use in the morning.
• Put berries, chia seeds and maple syrup in a bowl and mix well. Berries can be broken down completely or left more intact, but the mix should be combined well so that the chia seeds do not clump up.
• Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes and then spread the love!