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How-to Make Easy Chia Seed Jam {+ Video}
This Easy Chia Seed Jam is a wonderful way to preserve the fresh fruit of the season and enjoy delicious homemade jam without artificial colors and flavors or an ungodly amount of sugar. It’s a breeze to make, ready in about 15 minutes, plus there is no canning equipment necessary and you can control the level of sweetness leaving out refined sugar and instead using natural sweeteners like honey, maple or any other alternative you choose (or leave it out altogether and go al naturale).
Best part, this simple chia seed jam formula works with nearly any fruit you’d like, so go with the best the current season has to offer and get creative. Try strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, cranberries, apples, pears, peaches, plums, etc. Experiment with blending various fruits and if you really want to have some fun, add in vanilla bean, fresh herbs or spices, rosemary, basil, fresh mint, cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger – the flavor combos are endless, really.
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Seasonal Shopping: Fresh Fruit & Veggies to Buy in October!
With the start of October comes a new shopping list of in-season vegetables and fruit. It may feel like with summer coming to an end and the cold weather looming, that produce would be limited and unexciting, but for my money October is one of the most plentiful months for fresh local produce here in NY state. With the much-welcomed cooler nights and mornings, we are seeing more greens again, if we are lucking there might be some peppers and tomatoes still lurking around, plus of course we have all of the squash, the apples, etc. So many fresh and tasty treats to get creative with. Look for a recipe here on Tasty Yummies later today that features some of this beautiful produce.
What is your favorite October produce? I think for me it is a tie between apples and pumpkins.
October Shopping List:
Pumpkins
Squash
Apples
Leeks
Swiss chard
Rutabaga
Concord grapes
Figs
Beets
Broccoli
Pears
Cabbage
Potatoes
Bok choy
Spinach
Turnips
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Seasonal Shopping: Fresh Fruit & Veggies to Buy in September!
As part of my ongoing guest posts with Free People, each month I will be sharing a seasonal shopping list of produce that is at it’s best for you to create deliciously inspired meals with. Although the onset of September reminds us that summer is winding down, it is one of the best months for delicious local, fresh produce, in my opinion! So many delicious things that have been flourishing and growing all summer long just waiting to be ripe and ready for the picking before the cool weather sets in.
Here is a list of some of my favorite produce that is in season right now!
Shopping List:Corn
Eggplant
Tomatoes
Peppers
Kale
Pears
Basil
Parsley
Beets
Grapes
Summer Squash
Green Beans
Spinach
Celery
Onions
Turnips
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Green Bean and Tomato Salad
This is a very simple, fresh and quick summery salad, perfect side to so many summer dinners. You can serve it room temperature or make it ahead and serve it chilled. Had I had a red onion on hand, I probably would have thinly sliced a bit and included it, but it definitely didn’t need it.
Green Bean and Tomato Salad
serves 8 (approx 1 cup serving each)1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 plus tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges (or 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oilBring large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add green beans; cook 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Drain thoroughly and place in large bowl with tomatoes.
Combine vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Gradually add oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle over bean mixture, toss gently to coat. Top with freshly ground black pepper.
