Chia Jam

I really like fresh fruit on my waffles but fresh fruit is kind of expensive when you have to buy it.  I have my own fresh rasperries a good part of the year.  I might buy some blueberry plants as well.  Chia jam is great on pancakes and waffles intead of syrup.  I like to top my protein waffles with some thick Greek yoghurt, chunky chia jam where I don't mash the fruit and some nuts like walnuts, pecans or almonds.  You can also use it on yoghurt, granola, toast or anything you might use jam or pie filling on (though I have not tried to make a pie with it).

 

 

 

 

Chia Jam

2 cups frozen fruit thawed

2 tablespoons chia seeds, whole or ground

1 teaspoon lemon juice (sub any citrus juice)

Sugar or sweetener of your choice to taste.

Flavourings like vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, herbs, spices or extracts to taste.  Who knows... maybe a bit of cocoa or coffee might be good.

Mix the fruit with the chia seeds.  Mash the fruit to desired consistancy or leave whole, it's a matter of preference and use.  You can also cook the fruit if you like.  Stir and let sit until the chia seeds have absorbed the liquid (about 20 min to half an hour) and the mixture has thickened.  Sweeten, if desired, using your prefered sweetener to taste.  Add one or more flavouring to taste.  Store in the fridge for up to 14 days or freeze portions.

 

I'm using a strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry blend here.  The one on the waffles I mashed with a potato masher and the one in the container I left whole.  I may choose to chop the strawberries in half or quarters when I eat it but I added the chia seeds and lemon juice straight from frozen and let it thaw in the fridge and gave it a stir when it had thawed (just one of those moments I'm popping my head in the fridge anyway).