Not only is this Strawberry Jam Gluten-free (uses agar agar), it needs just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make!!!I was in Charleston in South Carolina last weekend for a Blogger Conference and as fate would have it, their Farmer’s market opened on my last day there. So I headed over first thing in the morning and my oh my oh my! All that fresh organic produce was making me weep with joy (and a little sorrow). There was a stall with fresh loaves of crusty bread (sourdough included) – I think I cried more there! If I wasn’t driving back, I would have bought it all, but the long travel gave me pause and I stopped with a box of strawberries!
When I came back home, my berry-loving-husband wanted to dig in, but I forbade him from touching the strawberries until I’ve taken pictures, and so after half a day and a whole lot of pictures and patience, the action shot below happened. Totally worth it, even my husband agrees (begrudgingly, if that)!
I would have preferred to just eat them whole with some fresh cream or custard (yumm!), but all that dropping into a bowl of water took a toll on my pretty strawberries and a lot of them were bruised. So I did the only thing I could: turn them into Strawberry jam!
The best part about this jam, is that it uses honey (Vegans can use this Vegan Honey substitute) as a sweetener (not sugar) AND it’s gelled with Agar Agar, not pectin or gelatin. That makes this jam VEGAN + Gluten-Free + Paleo!!!! Oh and it also needs just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make!
The texture of this Strawberry jam might not be exactly the same as commercially made jams which are usually made with pectin. But that doesn’t affect the taste or awesomeness of this jam one bit! I’d rather take the healthier honey and agar over texture any day of the week!
Chilli Tip:
I stirred in the red chilli flakes right at the end, so you get tiny bursts of heat only when you bite into the flakes. If you want the heat to be more evenly distributed, then boil the red chilli flakes with the strawberries from the beginning.
Slather generously on your morning toast (be generous with the butter while toasting!), and enjoy your 15 minute, healthier-for-you, homemade Strawberry Jam with a slight chilli kick!
When you make these (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here and will share it with pride on my social media feeds.
Agness of Run Agness Run says
I was looking for a homemade jam recipe and this one seems just perfect. I will give it a try, Tina!
Tina Dawson says
I hope you like it, Agness!!!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I wish I could have been at the conference! I love your strawberry action shots, and the jam sounds out of this world! Pinning for sure.
Tina Dawson says
Thanks so much Andrea! It was my first blogger conference, and it was AMAAAAZING!!!! You should totally make it next year!
Lindsay Cotter says
So excited that it’s strawberry season! Can’t wait to get some and make this strawberry jam! Love how easy this is! I’ll want to slather it on everything! hehe
Tina Dawson says
I am totally with you on that Lindsay!
Lisa Bryan | Downshiftology says
Love this healthier jam! Never thought of adding a little bit of chili, but love the idea of it balancing the sweet.
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Lisa! I was skeptical at first, but it totally works!
Ellen says
How fun you got to visit a farmer’s market while in Charleston for the Mediavine conference. I bet the kick the chili flakes add is awesome!
Tina Dawson says
It was pretty lucky that the farmer’s market opened just that day! Thanks Ellen!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I love homemade jam. Nothing beats it. I am desperately waiting for berry season to arrive in Scotland so I can make some jam. I must try your suggestion of adding chilli flakes.
Tina Dawson says
Please give it a shot, Jacqueline, and let me know how you like it!