Acai Berry Recipes That Satisfy

Acai is a special Central and South American berry, or drupe originating from the Acai palm tree, now sold around the world and known for it’s antioxidant power. In the frozen fruit aisle at your local grocery store, chances are they’ll carry pure frozen acai packs from companies like Sambazon Acai and Acai Roots.

These packets are 100 percent pulverized and frozen acai that pack a powerful antioxidant punch when mixed with your favorite fresh and locally grown farmers market fruits. You can even create an Acai bowl or smoothie! Here’s how:

Gather at the Poway Farmer's Market: 

For Acai Bowl: (For smoothie see modified ingredients below)

• 1 container fresh strawberries, slice about four, use rest in blender
• 2 bananas, one to blend, one sliced
• 1 container of fresh blueberries, as is or frozen
• 1 container of honey
• Any other fresh fruit toppers you wish: Raspberries, blackberries, melon, apple, pineapple, peach, mango (all options to slice on top of your bowl or freeze and blend into your bowl)

Ingredients From the Cabinet or Local Grocery Store: 

• 1 packet frozen acai
• Apple juice, or juice of choice (milk or soy milks work well too)
• Shredded coconut
• Granola, or cereal of choice
• Ice

Directions:

Acai Bowl: Blend 1 ½ cups of strawberries with a cup of ice, a little apple juice (or juice of choice, even soy milk could work), one banana, and the one packet of frozen acai. Your mixture should be sherbet-esque. In your favorite bowl, layer granola or cereal of choice and acai mixture, repeating several times. Top with granola, sliced strawberries, sliced banana, honey, coconut, blueberries, and any other fresh fruits that you love.

Serve immediately. This recipe can be doubled or tripled for numerous guests for breakfast, brunch, snacks, lunch, or dessert. Share away.

Acai Smoothie: Blend a handful of strawberries, one banana, a handful of blueberries, one acai packet, a scoop of ice and a splash of juice or milk. Blend until slurp-able texture is reached. For an added bonus, blend two tablespoons of your favorite protein powder with the acaismoothe. This will be a beverage that can get your morning started on the right foot and is almost as filling as a full meal.

With the globalized economy comes globalized food. Take advantage of the world’s fruits with your newest acai recipe. And, let us know how it turns out.

Recipe inspired by the acai bowl of Cafe Bella, Ocean Beach, San Diego.