Açai Bowl
it's basically a healthy ice cream sundae
One of my biggest home-cooking hacks is making my own açai bowls.
I remember when I first discovered açai bowls. What is this beautiful creation? I am supposed to take a picture of it or eat it? (I did both). And, boy, I’m glad I ate it. It was fruity, creamy, filled with tons of fun toppings, refreshing, and made me feel like I was on a tropical vacation.
What the hell is açai, you ask? Açai is a superfood indigenous to South American rainforests. It’s chock-full of antioxidants, fiber, calcium - all while being low in calories. So yeah, it’s hella good for you.
Once I figured out that this meal was essentially an ice cream sundae that I could write off as “healthy” and eat for breakfast, I was hooked. Back in DC, I used to splurge on this spot called South Block. For $12-$15 I could get this delectable treat. I was convinced they put addictive drugs in them (still do!).
Well, it started as a treat until I realized I was eating them for several breakfasts and lunches a week. I never thought to make an “açai bowl budget” but apparently I was blowing mine out of the water. My addiction was full-on. I was out of control.
As a home cook on a budget does, I tried to figure out how the hell I could start making these in my own kitchen because there was no way I was going to be able to stop eating them.
As it turns out, it’s really not that hard to make! You just need the right ingredients and a blender. And after about 5 years of making them at home, it STILL feels like special tropical vacation treat. I’m still a full-blown açai addict - but at least I’m saving some moolah.
It truly had been years since I purchased an açai bowl - until last week. I was in Rehobeth Beach, DE (aka the tropical oasis for DC folk) and was feeling a lil *heavy* from all the french fries, burgers, and twice-a-day ice creams. By some miracle, I found an açai spot on the boardwalk…but it was this shitty icy thing that cost me $17. Criminal! Well, I suppose shame on me for even getting this when I should have known to stick to the food the Boardwalk does best.
It reminded me that I need to share this recipe with y’all. I couldn’t bear to know that people are out there buying shitty icy açai bowls for $17. It would truly keep me up at night!
Some tips to making the best damn bowl ever, every time!
Always keep a stash of frozen açai packets, blueberries, bananas, peanut butter/almond butter, and various healthy toppings (I like cacao nibs, hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds).
Always use a frozen banana. This will really help keep that thicc consistency. A regular banana will run the risk of the mix being too runny. And, well, at that point, you just have a smoothie on your hands.
Always use a nut butter. This will really help keep it smooth. Otherwise, it’s going to be icy. And I don’t know about you, but I want my açai bowls to resemble a Dairy Queen Sundae (as my friend Keshia would say) as much as possible.
You may have to add more milk if it’s too thick, and that’s okay (as always, use your judgement and don’t stick to recipes too strictly). I will say, if it is too thick, try letting your mixture sit a few minutes before adding more milk. Adding milk is riskyyyy because, as I said above, you run the chance of adding too much and then you have just a smoothie in a bowl that you’re trying to lap up with a spoon - which is FINE but not really the point.
This is truly my last meal right now before I jump on a plane for my first culinary adventure trip! I’m going to….Israel! That means there won’t be any newsletters for the next two weeks, but I promise I’ll be coming back HOT with a ton of new recipe inspo. I’m also packing an extra suitcase just to bring back spices. ;)
In the meantime, make a bunch of these, imagine you’re on a tropical island, and think of me, k?
Açai Bowl
Makes 1 bowl
Base Ingredients
1 Açai Packet - I like the unsweeted Samazon, which you can order from Whole Foods (comes 4 packets per bag)
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
1 big spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter
1 cup nut milk (and add more as needed)
Topping recommendations
Hemp seeds
Chia seeds
Flax seeds
Coconut flakes
Cacao nibs
Granola
Xtra nut butter
Blueberries, banana slices, raspberries
Let’s do it!
Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until incorporated. See above for tips on how to make the consistency perfect ; )
Coat the bottom of your bowl with a thin layer of nut butter and add granola on top. This is a clutch Tim Patch secret! Yes, you can also add these on top, but think about how lovely it will be to reach these goodies at the bottom of the bowl, once you think you’ve already eaten all the fun toppings. Shock and awe, people.
Pour the açai mix in the bowl.
Top the toppings decoratively in lines across the bowl
Gaze lovingly at your bowl.
Take an Instagram pic.
Enjoy!
Happy cooking.
Love ya mucho,
Tessa
Gotta Gotta make these as soon as I get home !!!!!