Algi 30-Day Spirulina Challenge Day 1 to Day 10

The Algi 30-Day Spirulina Challenge is well underway so we figured it was time to do a bit of a recap. The first 10 days saw us create many incredible recipes, covering desserts, snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the recipes we made were also new to us. This gave us an amazing opportunity to get out of our comfort zone. For the intro blog post, click here.

Recipe #1 - Algi Spirulina Pancakes

These pancakes are a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. They’re also gluten-free!! We first started putting spirulina in pancakes more than a year ago and loved what we were creating. This has definitely become a staple in our weekly diets.

Recipe:

• 1 flax egg (3 tbsp ground flax, 3 tbsp luke-warm water)
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp spirulina
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 cup oat milk
• 1 cup amaranth flour

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients
2. Add wet ingredients, mix
3. Add to a pan on medium-high with a dollop of coconut oil 
4. Fry until golden brown

Recipe #2 -Superpowered Spirulina Rice Bowl

This recipe was rich, hearty, and filling. It was the perfect thing to have after a hard day’s work. Overall, it was really easy to make and the Tahini dressing and added shiitake mushrooms made it all the better. The only problem with this recipe is the combination of rice and quinoa made cooking a bit complex. 

Recipe:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup wild rice
• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 900ml (one full carton) of veggie broth
• one yellow onion, minced
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp of rosemary, basil, & oregano
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina powder
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 cups sliced shiitake mushrooms

Tahini dressing:

• 2 tbsp Tahini
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tsp paprika, 1 lemon (juiced), salt & pepper

Directions: 

• In a separate pan, fry shiitake mushrooms on low heat
• Add olive oil to a deep sauce pan on medium heat
• Dice & fry onions until transparent
• Add diced garlic, fry for 30 seconds
• Add wild rice, all the water, and half the veggie broth (the wild rice cooks slower than quinoa)
• Add quinoa and the remainder of veggie broth
• Add herbs + spirulina
• Leave covered on medium heat until rice is cooked
• Add nutritional yeast, season with salt & pepper, add toppings of choice, and enjoy!!

Tahini Dressing:

• Add tahini to bowl with spices, and lemon juice.
• Add warm water (we like to boil water and add this for easier stirring)
• Stir, add salt & pepper, and enjoy!

Recipe #3 - Our Fave Oatmeal

The great thing about oatmeal is that it’s a blank canvas–you can make it whatever you want it to be. This recipe is so simple and so so so delicious! A perfect pick-me-up to start your morning. 

Recipe:

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina powder
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 cups water (steel cut oats need tons of H2O)
• Cook on medium to low for 20 minutes

Topping ideas:

• Nut butter
• Maple syrup, Yacon syrup, etc.
• Fruit (especially berries

Recipe #4 - Spirulina Pita

Greek food is my absolute favourite type of food. Some of my best memories were eating Greek street food in my teenage years all around Greece. I was a bit worried about this recipe because it was very much improvised, however, it turned out almost perfect! The only change I would make is adding more salt, I found this recipe lacked the nice salty flavours typical of fresh pita. 

Recipe:

Makes 4-6 servings

• 2.5-3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 2.5 tsp dry active yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Directions: 

• Add water, yeast, and sugar to a mixing bowl. Mix and let sit for 15 minutes (mixture should bubble)
• Add Algi spirulina, oil, salt, and mix. Add 1.5 cups flour and begin to knead.
• Continue kneading while adding the remainder of flour.
• Press into a ball, lightly oil with olive oil, and cover. Place in fridge for 2 hours. The dough should double in size.
• Remove, cut into 6-8 pieces, roll with pizza roller/wine bottle/cup and fry in a lightly oiled cast-iron pan.

Recipe #5 -  Algi Green Curry

Apart from Greek food, Thai green curry is something I can never get sick of. I find this, like many curries, so versatile in the veggie, cooking methods, and protein options. Adding spirulina to green curry is perhaps the best way to add some algae to your diet. Green curry typically has fish sauce, spirulina has natural “fishy” flavours. So, adding spirulina gives a very similar taste to the curry that fish sauce does. Obviously, this is going against the traditional way of making Thai green curry, but just trust us when we say you’ve got to give this a go!

Recipe:

Makes 2-3 servings

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, 1 red pepper
• 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 jar green curry paste
• 1 can of chickpeas/beans/block of tofu
• 1/4 cup veggie broth & 3/4 can coconut milk
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina powder

Directions:

• Fry the veggies for 5 mins on medium-high with oil
• Add garlic + ginger, fry for 1 minute
• Add paste, fry for 1 minute, add soy sauce
• Add coconut milk, veggie broth, and beans/tofu etc.
• Add tbsp Algi spirulina powder, stir

Serve with rice or in a soup.

This is a super simple & quick recipe that will leave your taste buds and your bellies happy!

Recipe #6 - Algi Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed pudding is the best snack in history! Maybe that’s too much of a hot take for some but I will stick to my beliefs. Nothing offers a blend of fats, fibre, protein, and carbohydrates like chia seed pudding. This is the second time I’ve added spirulina to chia seed pudding, the first time it was ok but not great. This time, however, was incredible! I cannot stress this enough, this was my favourite recipe from the entire first 10 days of this challenge. It was sweet and rich, filling, but not too filling, and had no lingering spirulina taste. Ignore the colour, your taste buds will thank you.

Recipe: 

• 5 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 can coconu milk

Mix all dry ingredients, add wet ingredients, mix

Recipe #7 Spiced Algi Spirulina Latte

I am a coffee snob, so doing something to mess with my morning latte is pretty difficult to commit to. Although, for the sake of this challenge, I gave this a go and am really happy I did. The cinnamon overpowers the spirulina so you won’t taste it much and what you do taste is complemented by the oat milk. Adding more than a teaspoon of spirulina is probably too much and if you’re unfamiliar with spirulina, it may be best to start with half a teaspoon or less. 

Recipe: 

• 200ml frothed oat milk - barista blend, obviously ;)
• 2 shots of espresso
• 1 tsp Algi spirulina powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

Stir the espresso, spirulina, and cinnamon. Add oat milk.

This is a perfect caffeine/nutrient boost for any of your morning endeavors. 

Recipe #8 - Dev’s Fave Smoothie

Spirulina was made for smoothies. The nutrition profile of this ingredient can take your smoothie game to the next level. As a rule of thumb, citrus or acids (lime, lemon, apple cider vinegar) all work really well with spirulina because they overpower the taste. I did not add any to this recipe but if you find the spirulina too powerful in this recipe, simply add a squeeze of citrus or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. 

Recipe:

• 200 ml water/coconut water/plant milk
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 scoop Vega protein powder (any vegan protein powder will work)
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina powder
• 1 cup frozen banana
• 2 tbsp nut butter (we used Costco nut & seed butter)

Blend & enjoy!

Recipe #9 - Spirulina Rice

Although not vegan, this rice is very similar in taste profile to Spanish squid-ink rice. So, if you’re a fan of this Spanish staple, you’re going to love this healthy alternative to white rice. If you want to make this dish even better, add a can of coconut milk to the rice and sub out 1.5 cups of water. 

Recipe:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 shallots, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups white basmati rice
• 1 tbsp Algi spirulina powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 4.5 cups water

Fry shallots & garlic in oil for 1 minute on medium-high heat. Add rice, spirulina, and salt, stir. Add water and cook on medium until rice is soft.

Recipe #10 - Spirulina Mug Cake

This recipe was to die for. It’s easy, quick, nutritious, and most importantly delicious. Seriously, this thing is incredible! The original recipe came from Nora Cooks, we only added Algi spirulina powder to green things up a bit!

Recipe:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tsp Algi Spirulina Powder
• 1 tablespoon canola oil, melted coconut oil or vegan butter
• 3 tablespoons non-dairy milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons dairy-free chocolate chips

Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients, microwave for 45 seconds in your fave mug!