This is a follow-up to a blog I wrote last year. I love it when you guys read the archives and ask questions…speaking of which, I will be kicking off another round of TMI Tuesday. Yay!

Someone requested a ‘real’ Brazilian recipe for açaí after an unpleasant experience with an online version. So I sent the bastardized recipe to my friend Carlos in Porto Alegre for his opinion. He picked it apart and tossed the BS out the window.

After listening to Carlos rant, it appears an authentic Brazilian bowls consist only of: açaí, banana, honey, apple juice or soy milk, and cereal; however, other fruit can be added to taste.

Other notes form Carlos: Do not use water to thin! If you must, use soy milk or apple juice to thin. Use honey to sweeten not sugar. Do not use heated granola. Frozen açaí comes with or without guaraná; Brazilians use guaraná to heighten the flavor of the açaí berries. Açaí bowls are filling don’t eat too much.
 

Where to find frozen acai (whole berries or pulp):
We use Sambazon brand with guaraná found in Whole Foods and Costco.*





My fav:
Uma tigela de açaí com morango e granola (a bowl of acai with strawberry and granola). That’s all the Portuguese I learned while I was there. Thank goodness for Carlos!


Add ins we’ve tried:
Blueberries
Blackberries
Oranges
Kiwi
Strawberries (morango, my fav!)
Frozen berry mix from the market
Note: If you’re using frozen strawberries in sweetened sauce, add honey only after you’ve tasted the end product or it may be too sweet.


Add ins we haven’t tried:
Vanilla
Peanuts
Limes
Yogurt (Brazilians don’t add yogurt. They don’t even add cow’s milk)
 

It's a little to thin for my taste. The thicker the better.



Recipe adapted from Sambazon
An Authentic Açaí Bowl (Rio Bowl)
- 2 Packs Sambazon Açaí
- 1 Banana
- Splash of apple juice or soy milk
- Honey to taste
- Cup of your choice of fruit (frozen is fine)

1. Add açaí, apple juice or soy milk, other fruit and half of the banana into blender.
2. Blend on high. Add more apple juice or soy milk if necessary- but keep it thick.
3. Put it in a bowl and garnish with granola and other half of the banana and fresh fruit (optional).

*Sambazon you purchase in the States is exactly the same as used in Brazil…there’s no difference. Thanks Carlos!