Açaí Bowls
Feel fancy, eat healthy and save money, all before 7 am.
I first came across açaí bowls on a trip to Hawaii. We were told about a mythical roadside stand that had the best açaí bowls on the island. We stopped by every day and every day it was closed. We flew back to the midwest, land of oatmeal, and I forgot about açaí bowls.
Then we moved to California where you can easily drop a twenty on a single açaí bowl with bee pollen, spirulina and goji berries. I was intimidated, and also, a cheapskate.
When I discovered that they sold frozen açaí puree, I started making this at home. It is actually kind of worth the hype, like a supercharged smoothie in a bowl. Just make sure the lid to your mixing apparatus is on tight and that you are wearing a dark shirt; açaí senses when you are wearing white clothing.
Ingredients
I cup frozen mixed berries 2 cups frozen mango 1 frozen açaí puree packet (partially thaw packet in bowl of hot water so it's easier to mix) 1 ripe banana 1/2 cup plain yogurt pinch of salt drizzle of honey Optional toppings: sliced banana granola honey dried coconut
Instructions
Place berries, mango, açaí, banana, yogurt, salt and honey in the blender or food processor and blend, scraping down the sides to make sure it all gets mixed. No one wants to discover a chuck of frozen unsweetened açaí in their bowl.
To serve, divide between two or three bowls (depending on how hungry you are) and top with sliced banana, granola and dried coconut. Drizzle with more honey.
Note
If you have an elderly blender or food processor, it may have trouble with all the frozen bits. Sometimes I put the frozen fruit in a bowl in the fridge overnight so it is slightly thawed and easier to blend the next morning. Or you can warm it in the microwave for a few moments so it is a bit softer and easier to mix. Many frozen açaí packets instruct you to thaw partially in warm water before use.