To the uninitiated – which included ourselves not so long ago – acai might seem like an exotic and hard to source ingredient to incorporate into your diet. Not so!
Spending last summer living and working in Ibiza, Tribe editor Liv met the fun and enthusiastic Amazonia EU team, who supply not only the White Isle but also several parts of the European mainland with their health food products, which include raw, frozen acai. And after a few tutorials, the decidedly amateur cook learned how easy it is to whip up a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack with the powerful purple pulp.
Bursting with antioxidants and high in vitamin C, acai strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, promotes heart health and improves mental function amongst other benefits – the perfect nutritional helper during a busy summer on the party island! But with its extremely potent detoxing qualities, as well as digestion and weight loss benefits, acai is also a great way to support your diet and fitness goals in the New Year. It is also incredible versatile, meaning you won’t get bored of eating the same old thing day in, day out.
Thanks to Amazonia’s ever-increasing presence in Europe and the UK, the miracle fruit is now easily accessible in countries including Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and England via their online shop and Amazon.co.uk. Right now, customers can download a free recipe e-book with 20 tasty recipes covering everything from classic acai breakfast bowls to supercharged smoothies, which you can download here.
We also scoured Amazonia EU’s blog and found these three more unusual creations we didn’t know you could make with acai. Happy experimenting!
Acai Frappe
Milkshake lovers will be all over this healthy alternative. Super easy and quick to make, it’s a real staple.
You need:
2 Amazonia Acai Energy packs
200ml coconut water or fresh watermelon juice
1 banana
Method:
1. Allow the frozen acai packs to soften slightly, then blend together with the water or juice and half the banana at high speed until thick and frosty.
2. Serve immediately and top with banana.
Acai Bowl Popsicles
These cute ‘nice cream’ sticks are like frozen acai bowl to go! Fresh and fruity with added crunch, they are the perfect healthy summer treat. We found the recipe on www.cleaneatingmag.com.
You need:
Smoothie Layer:
2 Amazonia Organic Acai frozen smoothie packs
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/4 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 cup orange juice
Honey, to taste
Fruit Layer:
Variety of fresh fruit, thinly sliced (try blueberries, strawberries or pineapple, 2 per pop)
Granola Layer:
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp of Amazonia Organic Acai frozen smoothie
1 1/3 cup granola (try making your own)
4 tbsp honey
Method:
1. In a blender, combine Amazonia Organic Acai packs, banana, mango, pineapple, and orange juice. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix together blended smoothie, granola and honey. Make sure the granola is evenly coated.
3. In your popsicle mold, layer: heaping tbsp Açai smoothie mix, fresh fruit, then the granola mix. Layer until full, about two layers each.
4. Add popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least eight hours.
Acai Bowl Mini Vegan Cheesecakes Recipe
Cheesecake? Who even knew you could make cheesecake with acai? Try this for novelty factor alone! Developed by Anthea from Nourish Your Soul With the Rainbow.
You need:
Base:
½ cup dried figs, stems cut off, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
½ cup mixture of oats and/or whatever muesli or granola you have in your pantry
A pinch of salt
Cheesecake filling:
1 ¼ cup cashews, soaked in water overnight
2 tbs coconut butter or oil, softened
2 tbs sweetener (optional)
1 packet frozen Amazonia Organic Acai
½ cup berries such as raspberries, blueberries or whatever you desire
¼ cup banana, chopped
Method:
1. Use a silicon cupcake mould or line your cupcake tin with cupcake papers or baking paper.
2. Drain the figs. In a food processor, whizz all base ingredients until well combined.
3. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the cupcake moulds. Set aside in freezer.
4. Drain the cashews. In a food processor, whizz the cashews, coconut butter/oil and an optional sweetener until smooth and creamy.
5. Add the fruit to the food processor and whizz until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more sweetener if desired.
6. Remove the cupcake mould from the freezer. Spoon the cheesecake filling into the moulds and return it to the freezer.
7. Pick whichever toppings you desire! Think fresh or dried fruits, granola, buckwheat, puffed grains, coconut, nut butter, cacao nibs, chocolate… You can use anything that you would put on a smoothie bowl.
8. Arrange and cut fruits to taste.
9. Remove the cheesecakes from the freezer before they are completely set and arrange toppings as desired.
10. Return cheesecakes to freezer for at least 5 hours. To serve, defrost for at least 10 minutes and enjoy!
