Quick Grape-Chia Jelly

Why settle for store-bought when you can whip up a batch of silky grape-chia jelly in no time? With minimal effort and only two main ingredients, this is a simple way to add a burst of flavor to your day.

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I saw this video on Facebook about making jam out of chia so I had to try.

I went to ChatGPT:

Grape juice and chia to make quick easy homemade jam?

It responded:

Yes, you can make a quick and easy homemade jam with grape juice and chia seeds! Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grape juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)

• 2–3 tablespoons chia seeds

• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, heat the grape juice over medium heat until warm but not boiling.

2. Add Chia Seeds: Stir in the chia seeds and let them soak for a minute. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

3. Thicken: Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to thicken. The chia seeds will absorb the liquid and create a jam-like consistency.

4. Sweeten (Optional): Taste the mixture and add maple syrup if desired for extra sweetness.

5. Cool and Set: Remove from heat and let it cool. As it cools, it will thicken further.

6. Store: Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

This jam is perfect for spreading on toast, using as a topping for yogurt, or mixing into oatmeal!

My juice was sweet enough so I asked:

If my juice is sweetened?

So it updated:

If your grape juice is already sweetened, you might not need to add any additional sweetener. Here's how you can adjust the recipe:

Modified Recipe for Sweetened Grape Juice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweetened grape juice

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

• Sweetener: Optional (only if you want it sweeter)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Juice: Warm the sweetened grape juice in a saucepan over medium heat until it's warm but not boiling.

2. Add Chia Seeds: Stir in the chia seeds and mix well.

3. Simmer: Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.

4. Taste Test: Once it’s thickened, taste the jam. If it’s already sweet enough, no need to add sweetener.

5. Cool and Store: Remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and transfer to a jar. The jam will thicken more as it cools.

Sweetened grape juice often has enough sugar to balance the tartness, so this adjustment keeps the recipe simple and not overly sweet.

I wanted to know how long I can keep this, so I asked:

How long to store?

So it responded:

You can store your homemade grape juice and chia seed jam in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in an airtight container or jar.

For longer storage, you can freeze the jam in freezer-safe containers for up to 1–2 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before use. Since it doesn’t contain preservatives, it’s best to make small batches and enjoy it fresh!

I felt like it wasn't thick enough:

It didn't thicken a lot so I added 3 more tbsp chia seeds after 10 mins. I'm now letting it simmer for 10 extra mins. Will it continue to thicken after removing from stovetop?

It replied:

Yes, your jam will continue to thicken as it cools, thanks to the chia seeds absorbing liquid over time. By adding the extra chia seeds and simmering for an additional 10 minutes, you've likely helped it along. Once you remove it from the stovetop:

1. Cooling: Let the jam cool to room temperature before assessing the final thickness.

2. Refrigeration: After cooling, transfer it to a jar and refrigerate. The chia seeds will gel further as the jam chills, usually reaching its peak thickness within a few hours.

If it still feels too thin after chilling, you can stir in another tablespoon or two of chia seeds and let it sit in the fridge for a couple more hours to absorb the excess liquid.

I also wanted a larger amount:

Double amount

And here's the result:

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Servings: 8 (2 tablespoons per serving)

Calories per Serving: ~30

Prep Time: 5 minutes active, 15 minutes simmering

Quick Grape-Chia Jelly

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grape juice (sweetened or unsweetened)

• 4–6 tablespoons chia seeds (adjust for desired thickness)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Juice: Pour 1 cup of grape juice into a saucepan and heat on medium until it’s warm but not boiling.

2. Incorporate Chia Seeds: Stir in 4 tablespoons of chia seeds and mix thoroughly.

3. Simmer to Thicken: Reduce the heat and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it’s not thickening enough, add 1–2 tablespoons of chia seeds and continue simmering for another 5–10 minutes.

4. Cool and Gel: Remove from the heat and let the jelly cool completely. It will thicken further as it cools.

5. Store: Spoon the jelly into a clean jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 30

• Carbohydrates: 6g

• Protein: 1g

• Fat: 1g

• Fiber: 2g

Spread the love on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or enjoy it by the spoonful!

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Ingredients

Heat the Juice

Incorporate Chia Seeds

Incorporate Chia Seeds

Simmer to Thicken

Cool and Gel

Store