Hi Friends!
Last week I bought fresh figs for the first time!
I put out the call on instagram and twitter about what to do with them and got lots of great ideas! The most popular was definitely stuffing them with goat cheese and drizzling with honey. Someone else suggested jam! I had grand plans to try several different things with these figs but once I started cutting them, several were brown and moldy inside. I was only able to salvage about 5.
So I thought I’d start with something simple. Chia seed jam. I’ve made it before using just strawberries so I thought it would be fun to combine the strawberries and figs together. I love jam and jelly, but I hate buying it because that traditional way to make it is to add a LOT of sugar. In fact, sugar is usually the first ingredient, before fruit. I’ve found that chia jam is a great substitute for me. I sweeten it using fruit juice instead of sugar. It doesn’t come out super sweet but I like it that way!
It only takes about 15 minutes to make so I usually make small batches since it only keeps for about a week in the fridge.
The recipe below is about double the amount I usually make unless i know I’ll be eating a lot of it.
Strawberry Fig Chia Jam
Hold all that added sugar in store-bought jams and whip up this easy and quick homemade recipe. Your toast will be glad you did!
Ingredients
- 5 figs, peeled
- 1 c frozen strawberries
- 1/2 c 100% orange juice
- 1-2 Tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Combine the figs, strawberries and oj in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, mashing fruit into smaller pieces.
- Add chia seeds.
- Simmer 5 minutes more until thickened.
- Store in a airtight container in the fridge for about 1 week.
Use it on your toast, swirled into yogurt, on top of pancakes…
If you don’t have figs, you could just use all strawberries, or try it with another fruit like peaches or raspberries.
Chia jam can also be made in the microwave!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
I am so glad I’m not the only grown adult who hasn’t purchased figs before! I always see them at Publix and think of buying them but I’d have no clue what to do with them so I’d probably end up just wasting the $5 🙂
Had no idea that making your own jam could be this easy, or that it could be made in the microwave. Seriously? Why buy the jar when you can make it yourself. Pinning this!
what a great idea! I’ve never actually had fresh figs, only dried ones. I can’t find them anywhere around here.
Eeee! So happy you say frozen strawberries. I bought a butt load of strawberries last month and froze 75% of them. I’ve made chia jam with only fresh strawberries. I wasn’t sure how using frozen would turn out. Thanks!!
That looks super easy to make! I can’t wait to try it, especially for a special Sunday brunch and to have leftovers for the week. Thanks girl!
Oh yummy!!!
Love the fresh idea of making a jam – am going to buysome today!
Such a great idea!! Love fresh figs 🙂
you should definitely share this post on today’s healthy living blogs’ recipe wednesday link-up! the theme is new-to-you ingredients! this recipe fits perfectly. 🙂
I love fig jam but never thought of making my own. This looks delicious!
I love how simple this is! I have some leftover figs to use, so I’ll definitely check this out. Last winder I made a fig-rosemary with some xylitol to sweeten and guar to thicken it. I need to try the chias to thicken it!
Can’t have figs due to a fructose-intolerance, but I’m totally a fan of trying the berry-chia jam!! Yum!
This sounds delicious, Lindsay! I need to pick up some figs on my next trip 🙂
Hi Can you be my FPP next month and send me some?! Or I guess I could make some myself… sounds amazing!!
Figs are my favorite fruit! I also prefer them stuffed with goat cheese, but this looks fantastic and am bookmarking for future use! Thanks for sharing!!!
WOW, that looks SO good and simple!! I may have to make this 🙂
fig jam yes please! that is one thing we have yet to try making jam out of chia seeds!
I’ve never had a fig… i think i may be missing out on what all the cool kids are doing.
This looks awesome. I have never had a fig so I better get on that!
This looks great! I love making jam!
I’ve never purchased figs either! Now I’m inspired!
As a crazy canner, I want to add two notes for people who make this and love it: Jam recipes freeze well after making them. If you make a big batch, put it in containers with a little bit of room for expansion, seal, and freeze. Later you can thaw and enjoy!
However, this recipe isn’t safe for water bath canning to preserve at room temperature because figs and chia seeds are both low acid foods. I’m sure you know that, Lindsay, I just got a little worried when I read the comment about mailing some – this jam has to be refrigerated or frozen to remain food safe.
great points! thanks so much Rachel!
Oh, hello. I will be making you ASAP. 😉