Açaí Bowl with homemade almond milk and homemade granola

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Drink

1. 1
   Take the fruit out of the freezer and break it into pieces.
2. 2
   Soak the almonds overnight in cold water.

   Bowl
3. 3
   Drain the almonds and rinse well.

   Colander
4. 4
   Grind the almonds in a blender with the water for 2–3 minutes, until smooth.

   Blender

   💡In a food processor, grind in short pulses and check between pulses: it's easy to go from coarse to paste. (Sesame for tahini, on the other hand, is ground continuously.)
5. 5
   Strain through cheesecloth set over a bowl, and squeeze well.

   CheeseclothBowl

   💡Squeeze the cloth well to get out as much liquid as possible; the milk separates as it stands, so shake it before using.
6. 6
   Put the fruit, banana, almond milk and honey in the blender.

   Blender
7. 7
   Blend 1 minute, until smooth.

   Blender
8. 8
   Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   OvenParchment paper

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
9. 9
   In a large bowl, mix the oats, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon and salt.

   Bowl

   💡For granola, use whole rolled oats, not ground and not instant.
10. 10
    Add the honey and oil and mix well, until everything is evenly coated.
11. 11
    Spread the mixture in an even layer on the baking sheet.

    Baking pan
12. 12
    Bake 20 minutes, until the granola is golden. Stir every 5 minutes so it doesn't burn.

    OvenBaking pan

    💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
13. 13
    Take out of the oven and let cool completely: the granola dries out and hardens as it cools.

    💡Dried fruit isn't baked with the granola: add it only after the granola has cooled.
14. 14
    Add the raisins and mix.
15. 15
    Pour into a serving bowl, arrange the granola, banana slices, strawberries, topping and chia seeds on top in rows and serve immediately.

    Serving bowl

    💡A smoothie separates and browns after a short while: drink it right after blending.