Strawberry Basil Seed Jam
A jam with just one spoon of sugar may sound strange but it is possible with basil seeds aka babre byoul. Just like chia seeds, basil seeds can be used to make jam too: a healthier jam. Here’s presenting strawberry basil seed jam.
If you are new on the blog, then I must tell you that basil seeds have been a subject matter of my experiments in the kitchen before. Check out how I use these for making healthy breakfast puddings. When I first thought of making jam with basil seeds, it was just for fun and curiosity. I didn’t realize that this jam would be a lot healthier and easier to make.
Let me give you a quick summary of the findings of my research and experimenting on basil seed jam.
Pros
- Basil seeds help thicken the jam. That means there’s no need to add pectin or an insane amount of sugar to bring the jam together. You might as well make this jam with no added sugar.
- It literally takes 10 minutes to whip up this jam. If you ask me, this is my favourite part.
- And there’s the science stuff. Basil seeds are nearly twice as rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, iron and antioxidants as Chia seeds.
Cons (or not, you decide)
- Without the addition of too much sugar, this jam lacks enough preservative to help it last long (not more than a week/10 days in the fridge). Hence, it must be made in small batches. This should not be a problem because it is so easy and not at all time consuming.
- Those with a sweet tooth might not find it too appealing. Those aiming for a healthy diet might love it. Those choosing a middle ground might enjoy it with whipped cream or cheese.
I would suggest that you make this jam before strawberry season is over, and see for yourself. Two cups of strawberries and ten minutes of your time is all it takes to bring this happiness in a jar. Check out my Instagram reels for a short video on how I made this jam. It would mean a lot to me if show some love and stay connected for more food ideas.
Strawberry Basil Seed Jam
Ingredients
- 450 gm strawberries quartered
- 1 tbsp sugar (more or less, depending on taste)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1½ tbsp basil seeds
Instructions
- Take strawberries in a sauce pan on medium heat. Add in the lemon juice and sugar. Stir and mash everything together. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring in between.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add in the basil seeds and mix well. Let it cool for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Pouring the jam into a sterilized jar. Leave it to thicken in the fridge overnight.
Notes
- 450 gms of strawberry yield one standard jar of jam. This would be nearly 20 servings. The calories are calculated using this approximation.
- Other berries can be used instead of strawberries. The basil seeds give these jams a grainy texture and as such berries with grainy texture like strawberries and raspberries work well.