Clean Eats Raspberry Chia Seed Jam

Do certain flavors bring back fond memories for you? I’m recreating one of my childhood favorites with this Raspberry Chia Seed Jam.

One of my most cherished memories as a child were my summers spent on my grandparents island in Maine. We would spend our days catching hermit crabs on the beach and chasing lightening bugs at night. I used to put them in a mason jar and use them for a nightlight when we slept on the porch.

I can remember my Grams teaching us how to very strategically plant a garden and helping her pick berries from her raspberry and blueberry bushes. My Gramps would take us to pull lobster traps and dig for clams in the early morning and we would garden and pick berries with Gram in the afternoon until our fingers were sore.

After we enjoyed a fresh caught dinner, we would make the most delicious blueberry tarts and homemade raspberry jam in her bright yellow and orange kitchen. She always made us corn fritters for breakfast with bacon and poached eggs in little hand painted porcelain cups. There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of bacon, warm corn fritters and freshly made jam, unless of course its chia seed jam!

I definately learned my love for cooking from my Grams. Food was absolutely hers and has now also become my love language. I miss her always but recreating her most memorable meals makes me feel her love and warmth in my own kitchen.

We put that jam on everything! Ice cream, muffins, pb & j sandwiches, yogurt, fritters, biscuits and even ate it by the spoonful. It was such a tasty treat.

I want to create the same delicious memories with my girls in our kitchen as my Grams did in hers. We found an old recipe book my mom had saved of hers and have had a ball going through it. I’m especially loving all of her handwritten notes.

Jam was our favorite recipe of hers and first on the list to make. We took her original recipe and tweaked it to better serve our families needs. We removed all refined sugars, sweetened with honey and added chia seeds to thicken. To my surprise it tasted just like hers, but healthier! It’s always a great feeling when you can replicate a flavor from your childhood. I’m excited to share many more of her famous recipes with you!

Earlier this week, I saw organic raspberries on sale at my local Whole Foods Market for $1.50 a carton. Hello steal of a deal! I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them! Grams homemade Raspberry (Chia Seed) Jam! I have been craving fresh berries like mad! It must be all the antioxidants and ellagic acid.

I don’t always buy organic, but when it comes to berries, I do. Because they aren’t exposed to pesticides while growing, they really are worth the extra expense. IMO. Plus organic fruit tends to be higher in nutrients than conventionally grown fruits. I try to stick to these rules when it comes to buying organic and do the best that my budget allows.

I add chia seeds to practically everything! Oatmeal, smoothies, fresh pressed juices, to thicken sauces, you name it! They pack a powerful nutritional punch with their abundance of omegas, fiber and protein. Their gelling effect when added to liquids can also help with satiety. If you aren’t already adding these little powerhouses to you daily diet, start now!

Not only is this recipe packed full of flavor and nutrients, its delicious and so easy to make! I let my six year old go to town in the kitchen and she had a blast. I assisted with the hot stove top and pouring, but she did the rest. SIMPLE. You know thats how I like it.

Because this isn’t your traditional freezer jam, it isn’t as sweet, I personally prefer the tart taste but feel free to add more honey if you want to add a little more sweetness.

You’ll want to put it on everything! There is no wrong way to enjoy it. And always… lay it on thick. The thicker the better! ENJOY!

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Clean Eats Raspberry Chia Seed Jam

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1/3-1/2 cup raw honey
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• the juice of one lemon

Instruction:

• Wash raspberries and add to a medium saucepan.
• Add lemon juice and heat over medium until bubbly.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes mashing raspberries to break down if needed.
• Add 1/3 cup of honey to raspberries and taste. Add a little more honey to sweeten if you wish. 
• Remove from heat and add chia seeds. Pour into a mason jar and allow to cool.
• Store in refrigerator for up to one week.