Fresh Chia-Berry Reduction

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I love fresh berries. I think my fridge is constantly stocked with them all summer long! They're such a sweet seasonal treat - plus they drop significantly in price during the hot months, making it the perfect time to enjoy them.

I wish I could have good, fresh strawberries in my house all year long, but they can be hard to come by during the fall and winter. So while they're cheap, I stock up and make reduction sauces that will last in the fridge through the cooler months. I add the sauce to desserts, homemade yogurt, ice cream, waffles, and even meats from time to time. And the best part? It's so easy to make!

I've made this sauce with both strawberries and blueberries, but there's no reason you can't swap those out for any other berry. You can even get really wild and mix them! Use the recipe as a guideline and get creative. That's the best part about cooking!

Note that this recipe makes a large batch - I ended up with three pint-sized jars of sauce! Make sure you adjust your ratios if you're not looking to make so much sauce. Otherwise, gather your Mason jars and stock up on all those delicious berries!

Ingredients:

8 cups berries of choice, washed (If you're using strawberries, make sure you clean & slice them first.)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup granulated sweetener of choice (I've used both stevia and erythritol)

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients.
Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until berries break down to form a sauce texture.
If desired, add more water or sweetener to reach desired texture and flavor.
Pour sauce into Mason jars and store in the refrigerator. Note that sauce will thicken as it cools and the chia seeds expand.

Let me know in the comments below how you like to enjoy this fresh berry sauce!