A cheese tray with a variety of snack foods is something EVERYONE loves… trust me. You’d better have extras ready! Oh and pair the cheese, crackers, jam, almonds and everything else with a favorite wine and there will be no worries about guests not being satisfied.
With a few simple cheese tray ideas and my yummy Double Berry Chia Seed Jam, you’ll be the hit of the party! Cheese trays are perfect for gatherings or parties for a number of reasons. For one, there’s a variety of foods to choose, so you can make those of us with a huge sweet tooth happy and there’s also plenty of options for people who like more savory bites. Also, you can satisfy everyone’s dietary needs. There are literally millions of combinations to make your cheese platter perfect!
Keep it simple. All of the crackers, pictured, were already in my pantry. Before shopping for your cheese tray, raid your food stock. You may not need to buy as many goodies as you think. When deciding on the foods for my cheese tray, I try to consider the colors. I love having pops of color here and there on my platter. Fresh fruits, pretty jams and colorful olives are all eye catching ways to add pizzazz to your plate. Another fun extra is cheese labels- I didn’t have any when photographing my board, but you can usually find labels for cheap and they add a festive touch.
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Delicious Cheese Spread with Chia Seed Jam
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: Makes 1 cup
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet and tart chia seed jam is the perfect complement to any cheese spread. A simple recipe for spring gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cups (237 ml) fresh raspberries
- 1 cups (237 ml) fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Set a medium saucepan with fruit over medium heat.
- When fruit comes to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add maple syrup and chia seeds; continue to cook for 5-7 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Mash fruit with a spoon as you stir, if preferred.
- Remove from heat and allow jam to sit and thicken for about 10 minutes.
- To store, place in an airtight jam jar or other container, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen for up to two months.
Notes
- For a smoother jam, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture after cooking.
- Adjust the maple syrup to your preferred sweetness level; start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed.
- If using frozen berries, thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before cooking to prevent a watery jam.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 1
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What berries can I use for the Double Berry Chia Seed Jam?
You can use any combination of berries you like, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, to create your Double Berry Chia Seed Jam.
How do I prepare the chia seeds for the jam?
To prepare the chia seeds, simply mix them with the mashed berries and let them sit for about 15-30 minutes until they thicken.
What types of cheese pair well with the chia seed jam on the cheese tray?
Soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese complement the sweetness of the chia seed jam, while sharper cheeses like cheddar can provide a nice contrast.
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
- Winter Cheese Board with Artichoke Tapenade
- The Ultimate Strawberry Black Pepper Jam Cheese Board
- Cheese’s Best Friend: Sweet and Spicy Pepper Jelly
What a brilliant idea to use chia seeds to make a jam! I am thinking to eat it with pancakes actually. I don’t eat sugar sweetened jams at all, also try to avoid any other jams with sweeteners (although they contain less calories the level of sweetness is still intolerable for me). And simply pureed fruit doesn’t feel the same on pancakes – it doesn’t have that jelly consistency. I feel like having breakfast for a dinner now!