No Sugar Strawberry Chia Jam

This quick, easy, healthy, delicious, low calorie, low carb, no/low sugar Strawberry Jam has a special ingredient that makes a wonderful no sugar Jam. The ingredient is Chia seed. Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein, and they are also wonderful little thickening agents that don't require cooking, sugar or pectin to create a jelly, jam or pudding. They work, by absorbing liquid and turning them into a thickened jelly or pudding. 

The nice thing about this recipe, is that you can adapt it, and leave out the sugar, or add any kind of sweetener in any amount that you like with out worry of ruining the recipe; it is not a fussy recipe, and does not require exact measures to turn out a nice jam. Its a great way to create a low calorie jam, if your trying to watch calories or carbs.

Ingredients:
2 cups Strawberries, chopped
2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds
Sweetener to taste, such as any of the following: 2 packets (1 teaspoon) Stevia, 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup,  2 Tablespoons Honey, or 2 Tablespoons Organic Cane Sugar

Instructions:

• Place the Strawberries and sweetener into a medium saucepan, and bring them slowly to a simmer.

• Crush and mash the strawberries as they heat, to help release the juices. You can add a couple tablespoons of water, if your strawberries seem to need a little help making juice.                              
• Once the juices have released, and the strawberries begin to bubble, allow them to simmer about 5 to 10 minutes, (until the strawberries have cooked to your satisfaction)

• Remove from heat, and add the Chia Seeds; stir and mix well.

• Pour mixture into jars, and refrigerate. 

• The jam will begin to thicken within about 10 minutes, but allow to cool and thicken a couple of hours or overnight, for the best thickening. 

• Enjoy on toast, waffles, pancakes, yogurt, cottage cheese or ice cream, etc.

Notes:

• For this batch, I made a double recipe, and filled 3 small jars, but 1 recipe makes 1 1/2  to  2 cups.  

• Because this recipe has very little sugar, it will not store as long as traditional jam. It stores in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks, so its good to make small batches or, you can double it like I did, and freeze some of it.                                                                   
•  It freezes, nicely, but be sure to leave about an inch of head space when filling the jar for the freezer, to allow for expansion when it freezes.                                                                             
• I often freeze with the lid off and place the lid on once it has frozen, just to be sure there is plenty of room, and no excess pressure is created with the lid on.                                                

• 2 Tablespoons of no-sugar added jam has approximately 32 calories and 5 carbs (3 net carbs).

Clean and chop the Strawberries.

Place strawberries and sweetener into the pot and simmer  over low heat 5-10 minutes.

Remove from heat and add Chia seeds.

Put into jars and store in the refirgerator 1-2 weeks.

Enjoy!