Blueberry-lemon chia jam + a healthy snack idea

Quickest jam recipe ever.

Are you ready?

4 ingredients and 10 minutes is all you need.

Look how pretty!

blueberry and lemon chia jam with lavender

This jam recipe works with any fruit, really. But since I’ve been reading about the gazillion reasons why blueberries are so good for us, this time I made them my nutritional “weapon of choice”.

Also known as “brain berries” thanks to their ability to improve memory, cognition and overall brain health, blueberries are also a rich source of powerful polyphenols: antioxidants that help you get rid of unwanted free radicals, reduce the risk of cancer, alleviate inflammation and amp up weight loss.

blueberry-lemon-chia-jam-stock-ready

And about that snack… which is my new favorite and can totally be your “I-just-got-home-from-work-I-am-famished-and-immediately-want-food-in-my-face” kind of dinner as well: toast + butter or ghee + this blueberry-lemon chia jam + arugula. Perfection.

healthy snack idea toast with blueberry lemon chia jam with butter and arugula

Fun fact: fat makes polyphenols more bioavailable to your body, which means it helps them be absorbed more easily, so you want to consume polyphenol-containing food with a type of healthy fat to reap their benefits fully. Which is why I’ve been munching on the above mentioned combination.

Oh, and a side note: yes, butter is a healthy fat. Not all butter is created equal, though. Opt for organic grass-fed, if you can, as it contains fat-soluble vitamins and supports brain health as well.

And I haven’t even mentioned the chia seeds that are “hiding” in here too! Can you believe these tiny little seeds hold so much goodness in them? Fiber, essential fatty acid omega-3, protein, minerals and vitamins… and they’re actually one of the best dietary sources of calcium.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of chia seed pudding. I was up for the hype and *tried* to like it, but we never did get too friendly… I don’t hate it, but I’d much rather have the seeds raw just on top of my morning oatmeal or smoothie bowl.

THIS jam, though…

yummy blueberry lemon chia jam

It’s a different story.

It’s absolutely amazing! It blew my mind how simple it is to make, yet it’s so yummy and nutritious at the same time.

I chose agave for sweetening, because I brought the jam to a quick boil while making it, and – unlike honey – agave syrup won’t get damaged when exposed to high heat. It is, however, also possible to just mix the ingredients in a blender without any heating, in which case it is perfectly okay to use honey.

Blending will obviously result in a more puree-like consistency, I personally like the texture of whole blueberries, so I went with the first method.

blueberries for making blueberry lemon chia jam

You should absolutely, definitely, undoubtedly try this recipe, it is a 100% natural and sugar free, made with wholesome ingredients. You’ll be puffing out your chest, boasting about your own homemade jam that you whipped up in literally 10 minutes!

And you should be puffing out your chest with confidence anyway, every day, because hey! You’re amazing!

Please remember that and have a lovely day! 🙂

Don’t forget to say hello on Instagram. #allwithzest

With love,

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blueberry lemon chia jam
Blueberry-lemon chia jam

Yield: 2 cups
Prepare: 2 minutes
Cooking: 8 minutes
Total: 10 minutes


Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 2 or 3 Tbs agave syrup, depending on the sweetness you prefer (or honey)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbs chia seeds

Instructions:

  1. If using frozen berries, let them thaw for a little while in the pot you’re going to use.
  2. Add agave syrup and turn on the heat to medium, gently mash the fruit with the back of a wooden spoon and bring it to a boil.
  3. Turn off heat and add lemon juice and chia seeds too.
  4. Stir well and wait until it’s completely cooled down. The jam will thicken, don’t worry!
  5. If you opt for the no-heat-involved method, simply add all ingredients in a blender and blend until you reach the desired consistency. The more you blend, the more jelly-like your jam is going to be.
  6. Transfer to a glass container and keep in the fridge for about a week. Or less. 😉

 

Turmeric sweet potato bulgur “risotto” with elderflower wine and chestnuts

Cosy, comfort food alert!

Creamy & easy ‘risotto’, anyone?

turmeric-sweet-potato-risotto-with-elderflower-wine-and-chestnuts1

With autumn in full ‘bloom’ and crispy weather outside, it is only natural that our bodies start craving hearty, steaming dishes that feel like a soft, warm hug in our bellies.

Mama Nature is busy changing her colors from luscious green to rusty and bright red, and more and more frequently showering us with love (aka rain). So why not get busy in the kitchen and make this delicious dish in just about 45 minutes? Light your favorite candle and get into that ‘autumn spirit’. Indulge in cosy fall comfort food, you deserve it!

Turmeric sweet potato bulgur risotto with elderflower wine and chestnuts.

This hearty ‘risotto’ perfectly epitomizes this time of the year while still caring for your health with nutritious sweet potato and the oh-so-wonderful turmeric. Chestnuts are also a great source of vitamin C, copper and manganese, we can all use that immune system boost around November. *flexes right arm muscles*

Bulgur is my favorite choice of grains. It has a soft, chewy texture and is rich in fiber and minerals in addition to having a low glycemic index (GI), which means it is kind enough to not mess with your blood sugar levels.

Now, if you’ve made it through all that nerd talk, I have good news, too! You can absolutely make this dish in one pan, which leaves you with exactly one dirty dish in the end. Huge pro, if you ask me!

sweet-potato-bulgur-onion-in-a-pan

Oh, and don’t worry, there’s a generous amount of melting cheese coming in the end! It’s a comfort food after all. 😉

As for elderflower wine, we are lucky enough to have been given it as a gift, it is entirely homemade. And entirely delicious. If you can’t get a hold of it, though, your favorite white wine will do just fine. 🙂elderflower-wine-and-pumpkins

If you’ve made this recipe (which you should!), be sure to tag me on Instagram or use the hashtag #allwithzest to show me your beautiful creations!

Take care and don’t forget to smile today! 🙂

With love,

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sweet-potato-bulgur-risotto-with-elderflower-wine-and-chestnutsTurmeric sweet potato bulgur “risotto” with elderflower wine and chestnuts

Yield: 3 servings
Prepare: 20 mins
Cooking: 25 mins
Total: 45 mins

 



Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbs coconut oil
  • 1 large red onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 ½ cup bulgur washed & rinsed
  • 3 cups veggie stock
  • ¼ cup elderflower wine
  • 1 ½ cup sweet potatoes chopped
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 cup grated gouda cheese
  • 150 g chestnuts, roasted
  • parsley to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Chop red onion and sweet potatoes, slice garlic.

red-onion-sweet-potato-garlic

2. Scoop about a tablespoon of coconut oil into a large pan and steam onion for a couple of minutes over medium heat.

3. Add sweet potatoes, turmeric, salt & pepper and rinsed bulgur. Add vegetable stock and elderflower wine. (Optional: pour a little extra of the latter and sip on it, if you like.)

4. Cover with the lid and bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down to minimum and let it all be cookin’.

5. In the meantime, roast your chestnuts in the oven. NOTE: I had soaked the chestnuts the night before, but half an hour prior is enough. You can also cheat a little, and roast them ahead or buy pre-packed, if you like. Otherwise, carefully, with a sharp knife, cut an X into each chestnut and place them on a baking tray for roasting, about 20 minutes. Wait until cool and get them out of their shells.

6. Once the bulgur and sweet potato are cooked, turn off the heat, add cheese and roasted chestnuts.

7. Stir it well. Consume while still hot. Enjoy! Be mindful of the taste, smell and textures. 🙂