Over the last few years, acai bowls are going crazy. Every one feels like they are on their own tropical island when they have these meals in hand. Coconut flake, peanut butter, honey, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries all top an acai base for a sweet and filling meal. But what really is acai? Let's dive into the benefits of these berries that grow on acai palm trees in the rainforests of Central and South America.
- 100 grams of acai is 70 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of sugar and 15% of the RDI of Vitamin A.
- Acai is loaded with antioxidants, higher than blueberries and cranberries. In fact, almost three times the amount found in blueberries
- Acai can improve cholesterol levels
Recipes:
Classic Acai Bowl (twopeasandtheirpod.com)
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 frozen Banana, sliced
- 1 cup frozen Mixed Berries
- 2 frozen Acai Packets
- Toppings: Granola, Coconut, Nuts, Nut Butter, Chai Seeds, Hemp Hearts, Fresh Fruit
Place the milk, banana, berries, and acai packets in a high-power blender that has a tamper. You need a good blender with a tamper to make a thick acai bowl.
Turn the blender on low and use the tamper to push the frozen fruit and acai down. Continue to blend on low until creamy and smooth. If you need to add a little more milk, you can, but don’t add too much or the mixture will not be thick.
Divide into two bowls and top with desired toppings like granola, coconut, nuts, a drizzle of nut butter, chia seeds, hemp hearts, and/or fresh fruit. Serve immediately.
Acai Bowl Cheesecake (rachaelattard.com)
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup Almonds, or nut of choice
- 12 fresh Medjool Dates
- 1/4 cup Shredded Coconut
Filling Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup Cashews
- 1/2 tin of Coconut Cream
- 1/4 cup Coconut Sugar
- 1/4 cp Acai Powder
- 3 tablespoons Melted Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
Topping Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Strawberries
- 1/2 cup Blueberries
- 200ml tin Coconut Cream
- 1/4 cup Coconut Sugar
- 3 tablespoons Acai Powder
- Paleo Hero toasted Muesli
- Combine base ingredients in a food processor until it starts to stick together, but is still a little crumbly.
- Press base into bottom of a lined cake tin (I used a rectangular 22cm x 9cm tin).
- Combine all filling ingredients in a high speed blender and process until smooth and creamy.
- Pour filling over base.
- Combine topping ingredients (except muesli) in a blender and pour gently over the filling.
- Place in freezer overnight to set.
- Remove from freezer 2 hours prior to cutting.
- Top with Paleo Hero toasted muesli prior to serving.
- Store in fridge.
