DIY Jams and Fruit Spreads

Homemade Raspberry "Jam"

Tony and I got into a bad habit a couple of months ago: we started needing to put something sweet on our normally sugar-free oatmeal. Commercial jams chocolate chips, honey, and maple syrup were being added to our daily bowl of oats. But excessive sugar intake is not healthy especially, when eaten in the morning. So, in attempt to break our breakfast sweet tooth, I've started making homemade jams and fruit spreads to give us some sweetness without any added sugar. The chia seeds are key in fresh fruit spreads as they give the jam thickness like pectin does in commercial/regular jams.

Here are four varieties I have recently made.  They are awesome on top of oats when paired with some nut butter like almond, peanut, sunflower or pumpkin seed butter. Other add ins: sea salt, flaxseeds, vanilla, cinnamon, or a touch of honey. All recipes make about 1 cup. Store in a jar in the fridge. Use within 1 week.

Date paste: blend 1 cup dried dates with half of a cup of water.

Fig paste: blend 1 cup dried figs with half of a cup of water.

Raspberry lime jam: blend 1 cup raspberries with half a lime, juiced, 4 dates, and 1 teaspoon chia seeds.

Blueberry jam: blend 1 cup blueberries with 1 teaspoon chia seeds, 2 tablespoons water, and 4 dates.