In a small saucepan, add your strawberries and place it over medium heat. You’ll want to start with fresh or frozen berries, which will start releasing their juices. Keep an eye on them as they heat up!
Bring the mixture to a simmer, gently stirring as you go. The heat will help break down the strawberries, releasing their natural sweetness and juices. This is the stage where your kitchen will start to smell amazing.
Once the strawberries are softened, add in the lemon juice and chia seeds. The acidity of the lemon juice enhances the flavors, while the chia seeds will start to absorb liquid, thickening your jam.
Mix everything well, ensuring that the chia seeds are evenly distributed throughout. You’ll notice the mixture starting to thicken; this is exactly what you want!
Allow the jam to simmer for an additional five minutes. This will give the flavors time to meld together beautifully. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Taste your jam as it simmers. If you find it isn’t sweet enough for your liking, this is the moment to add the keto maple syrup. Remember, you can always add more, but it’s harder to take sweetness away!
Once the jam has reached your desired sweetness and thickness, remove it from the heat. Let it cool completely in the saucepan. This cooling phase is essential for the jam to set properly.
Once it has cooled, transfer it to a glass jar or container. Make sure the container is airtight to keep your jam fresh.
Refrigerate the jam. It’s best to let it chill for a few hours before using, allowing the flavors to develop even more. Enjoy!
