An Acai Bowl Is Like a Smoothie You Eat With a Spoon

Until recently, I was a major acai bowl skeptic. Quite simply, I didn't get the hype. What could be so great about a smoothie you eat from a bowl? But that's the thing: this seemingly minor change-up is exactly what makes it special. Instead of slurping down a smoothie, it asks you to take it slow and spoon up (and chew) each and every bite.

As for how it tastes, purply-pink acai powder is at once tangy and bitter; it adds plenty of oomph to an otherwise more-or-less-standard fruit and nut drink. Where the real fun lies is in the toppings: an assortment of sliced fruits or berries are a must, as are a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of bee pollen; bulk it up with some dried goji berries, granola, coconut, or chia seeds if you like. Really, the options are nearly endless.

Deluxe Acai Bowl

Adapted from Green Kitchen Travels: Healthy Vegetarian Food Inspired by Our Adventures by David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl

Notes

For best results, use a high-powered blender like a Vitamix; as the acai bowl base is thicker than a smoothie, blenders with lower horsepower may have trouble processing it.

Ingredients

1. 2 cups frozen strawberries
   2 frozen sliced bananas
   4 tablespoons acai powder
   1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice), plus more as needed
   2 tablespoons nut or seed butter (I used almond)
   1/2 to 1 tablespoon honey, to taste

1. Toppings:
   Fresh fruit, sliced (I used bananas, strawberries, and raspberries)
   Bee pollen
   Clear, runny honey
   Granola (optional)
   Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
   Dried goji berries (optional)
   Chia or hemp seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Add the frozen fruits, acai powder, almond milk, nut or seed butter, and honey to a blender. Blend until creamy and smooth, adding extra almond milk as needed to get the blender running. Aim for a frozen-yoghurt consistency (it should be thicker than a smoothie).
2. Spoon the acai mixture into bowls and top with sliced fruit, bee pollen, a drizzle of honey, and the optional toppings (if using).

Information

Category

Breakfast/Brunch

Yield

Serves 2