Simple Smoothie Bowl

The recipe and photos for this post were provided by Sally Roeckell of Table and Dish and were originally published at 365Barrington.com.

I am sharing a super quick and easy smoothie bowl that I make for my gang. It’s a great breakfast for after-the-gym-recovery or even a delicious dessert. It is cold, creamy, healthy, naturally sweetened, nutrient-rich, satisfying, and above all else, easy!

Y’all know I shop at Heinen’s! Their selection of fresh tropical fruit, frozen fruit, and the amazing Wellness aisle make Heinen’s a one-stop-shop for gathering everything you need to stock your fridge and pantry for smoothie bowls.

The smoothie bowl I am making today is my go-to recipe; however, it can be adjusted in countless ways. Since my kids were small, I have been tucking greens into their smoothies. They’re good vegetable eaters to begin with, but a little extra is never a bad idea.

Today’s recipe starts with frozen bananas, frozen mixed berries and unsweetened almond milk. That’s it. Three ingredients. You could stop there, but why? The toppings are where the fun begins. As I said, I add a handful of greens to the base. The berries keep the color pink and hide any green, so your secret is safe.

The magic is in the blending method. First, you need a high-powered blender. There are several kinds on the market. I happen to use a Vitamix. Add in the bananas and berries and blend on low, stopping to scrape down the sides until it looks like crushed pink pebbles. Then, slowly add a small amount of almond milk. You can always add more, but too much liquid will make it too thin to support the toppings. You want it to reach the consistency of delicious soft serve. Just keep it on low and scrape down the sides several times and you’ll get the right consistency.

Once you transfer the mixture from the blender to your bowl, it’s time to add toppings. Today I’m adding kiwi, mango and coconut for a tropical flavor as well as chia seeds and cocoa nibs for omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, iron and a little crunch.

I like to use frozen acai berry (Pronounced ah-sigh-EE.)  The acai berry is grown on the acai palm tree in South American rainforests. It can be found closer to home in individual packets in the freezer section at Heinen’s. Acai has become synonymous with superfood. It has been reported that the acai berry contains more antioxidants than any other berry. What’s not to like with a benefit like that? Adding any nutrient-rich, dark berries along with citrus and greens, like spinach, kale and even avocado make these bowls a powerhouse of fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats.