Foods that pair with acai: toppings and meals
We’ve talked a lot about how Acai is not only a tasty and healthy little fruit, but also an incredibly versatile ingredient. With some imagination, Acai can work perfectly as part of a winning “tropical menu”, as a healthy and satiating snack and as a little touch of the exotic for a main dish.
In this article, you’ll discover some combinations you can make with Acai, for every meal of the day, from the most traditional options to those that never crossed your mind.
Healthy and delicious toppings you must try
Outside Brazil’s northern regions, where the purple fruit comes from, most people only know Acai in its sweet and creamy form, always served cold as a juice or a healthy dessert. No surprise there, that’s how Acai became internationally known and loved.
And, in this classic presentation, Acai works perfectly with fruits of the season and other light toppings. Here’s some combinations that you can try, with success guaranteed. Those options work at their best as a breakfast or afternoon snack.
Banana slices with honey
Looking for that extra sweet in your healthy snack. No problem, the banana’s natural sugar combined with organic Texas honey will provide all the sweetness you want. There is no need for guaraná cyrope or refined sugar.
Seed Mix
The more the merrier: Acai welcomes all kinds of seeds. With a little bit of pumpkin and sunflower seeds, seasoned with chia, you can enhance Acai texture and taste, while also making it richer in fibers.
Granola and fruits of the season
Granola is the new black. It’s usually made with a mix of cereals, nuts, rice flakes and dried fruits and (if you’re lucky) coconut slices. And it goes perfectly with a lot of things, including and especially, with a good bowl of Acai.
Granola provides Acai with a crunchy texture and all sorts of extra nutrients that will give you energy for the whole day. You can combine it with tropical fruits – like banana, mango, star fruit, kiwi… – or with the traditional red and black berries, closer from home.
Strawberries with rice flakes
If you’re looking for something even lighter and nutritious to go along with your favorite bowl of Acai, strawberry slices with rice flakes are the perfect choice. Not only is this combination rich in vitamin C and B, antioxidants and fibers, but also creates a great contrast between the acidity of the strawberries and the sweetness of Acai.
Kiwi and tapioca flour
Amongst the exotic tropical fruits, Kiwi is one of the most nutritious and with the least calories that you can find. Rich in vitamins C, fibers and a lot of different minerals that are essential for workout performance, its sweet-acid flavour makes a nice match with Acai. Adding a little tapioca flour will not only enhance all those nutrients but enhance this combination of flavors.
Peanut butter bites
Known in Brazil as “Paçoca”, this is the peanut butter that we all know and love, but in a more solid presentation, like a compact peanut crumb. While this recipe was originally from the northeast region of Brazil, it quickly became popular all over the country. And, soon, all over america. Its combination of salty and sweet flavors will be a perfect match for your favorite acai bowl.
Great main dishes with acai
While in the northern regions of Brazil Acai can be eaten as dessert or drunk as juice, it’s most commonly served salted, with hot meals. At first sight, this combination may seem odd. But, if you have an adventurous spirit, here’s some practical dishes you can prepare for dinner and one that works greatly at any time of the day.
Shrimp salad with Acai sauce
Grilled shrimp and Acai is one of the most ancient combinations ever tried with this purple fruit. Mixing some leaves of fresh lettuce, cress and arugula to accompany it, seasoned with butter and onion, you’ll get a renewed, light version of this most traditional Brazilian dish, perfect for lunch or dinner. All you have to do is mix the Acai pulp with olive oil, lemon tears, salt and sinemon. And voilà!
Fish with Acai cream
Acai’s homeland is mostly known for its deep forest and its enormous rivers. And, considering this landscape, you can imagine why the first combinations ever made by the natives with Acai involved freshwater fishes. A more modern presentation for this dish could, without much trouble, be prepared by reducing a sauce with red wine, onions and Acai, then served over a nice fish steak, grilled with coconut oil.
Acai and tapioca
Tapioca flour may still be a newcomer in American markets and kitchens, but with their many health benefits and gastronomic versatility, it is sure to become more and more popular. 100% gluten free, tapioca can be served in many forms – one of them, most known in Brazil, seems kinda like a very slim pancake.
It’s easily prepared by sifting the tapioca flour over an already hot pan. The flour grains will melt, forming a homogeneous sheet. Then, add some butter and it’s ready to go along with your favorite bowl of acai, forming a nutritious and delicious breakfast.
Got curious? Here at Vida Boa Acai you’ll find not only all your favorite toppings, but the most natural Acai. It is coming right from Amazon’s forest and it’s ready for you to try as many recipes as you like. Come and try this Good Life.