A sweet spread made of fruits such as berries and citrus, marmalade is typically thicker and chunkier than its smooth jelly counterpart. Marmalades, or jams, are versatile in that they can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.

Berry marmalades are generally made with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or any combination of the four fruits. They are most commonly paired with breakfast foods, such as toast, muffins, and scones, but you can also use them as an unexpected twist in many lunch and dinner recipes as well.

Following are some creative ways that you can use up all of your homemade berry marmalade from last spring and summer:

1. Add Flavor to Yogurt

Many flavored yogurts are heavy on the sugar, but plain may be too boring for your taste buds. You can solve the dilemma by flavoring plain yogurt yourself with berry marmalade. You'll be in control of how sweet your breakfast or snack is, and you can add as little or as much fruit flavor as you'd like.

This technique will be especially helpful if you're trying to restrict the amount of sugar your kids consume while still giving them healthy foods that will pique their appetites. You can also add marmalade to smoothies for a touch of natural sweetness.

2. Glaze Grilled Meat

Treat dinner party guests to grilled meat with a sweet berry glaze at your next cookout. Create a glaze using marmalade and any other ingredients, such as soy sauce, honey, and rice wine vinegar, that you'd like. 

Marinate meat, such as chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or fresh salmon in the glaze prior to grilling it, and then brush some on top toward the end of the cooking process. Serve with jasmine rice for an Asian-inspired meal. 

3. Sweeten Up Grilled Cheese 

Give lunch or dinner an adventurous flair by adding marmalade to grilled cheese sandwiches. Start with any type of bread you desire, and layer on a white cheese such as cheddar or Monterey jack. Spread berry marmalade on the top slice, and then grill until the cheese is melted. The result is a sweet, savory, and tangy taste explosion. 

4. Top Pancakes and Waffles 

Instead of using a sugar-laden, artificially flavored syrup to top your pancakes or waffles, use all-natural berry marmalade instead. Not only will the jam add sweetness, but it will add a tangy fruit flavor as well. 

You can also make stuffed French toast using a marmalade and cream cheese filling as a decadent weekend breakfast. Top with powered sugar and serve with fresh fruit. For more information, contact a company like Chunkyfruits.