Our Top Five: Algi 30-Day Spirulina Challenge

#1 - Super Easy Spirulina Hummus

Recipe: 

• 1 tsp Algi Spirulina Powder
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 ½ cups (250 grams) cooked chickpeas
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice, 1 large lemon
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) well-stirred tahini.
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt to taste
• 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) water or aquafaba, see notes
• Dash ground paprika or sumac

Hummus is a gift to our taste buds. We seriously love this stuff but we were also worried that spirulina hummus may make this incredible dish not so incredible. However, the Algi spirulina only added a hint of umami. It’s hard to describe exactly how well this recipe worked out. If you find the spirulina to be too strong, try doubling and roasting the garlic in a bit of olive oil before mixing it with the hummus.

#2 - Algi Spirulina Pesto

• 2 cups packed fresh basil (large stems removed)
• 3 Tbsp pine nuts or walnuts (if nut-free, try sunflower seeds!)
• 1 tbsp Algi Spirulina Powder
• 3 large cloves garlic (peeled)
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 3-4 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
• 2-3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil*
• 3-6 Tbsp water (plus more as needed)
• Blend everything and add to fresh pasta!
• If the spirulina taste is too strong, try adding just a teaspoon and work your way up to a tablespoon. 

Making green things more green just makes sense…we think. Anyhow, adding spirulina to pesto was easy, nutritious, and did nothing to the fresh flavours already present in this sauce. We can’t say much more other than you need to give this a go!

#3 - Banana Chia Seed Pudding

• 2-3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 mashed, ripe banana
• 1 tbsp Algi Spirulina Powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup oat milk
• Optional: berries, cacao nibs, maple syrup, coconut shreds.
• Mix all ingredients and leave in the fridge for 2 hours.

We’ve said it many times and will continue to say it. Chia seed pudding is one of the greatest snacks. This healthy, delicious snack will keep you going for hours. Like oatmeal or pancakes, chia seed pudding acts as a great base for an almost limitless array of toppings. Our favourite toppings are coconut, cacao nibs, fresh berries, and maple syrup. 

 #4 - Superpowered Spirulina Rice Bowl

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 saucepan 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!

This is the longest and most complex recipe of our favourites. So, if you plan to make this, perhaps use it as an opportunity to meal prep and make a big batch. Of course, the tahini dressing is optional and you can add any type of dressing. We found the tahini dressing to fit perfectly with the mushroom umami flavours of this dish. If you don’t mind the prep work, this is the perfect dish for a datenight at home. 

#5 - Spirulina Mug Cake

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!

Mug cakes are a recent obsession of ours. Baking takes time, time that we usually don’t have. So, the fact that mug cakes can be ready to go in just minutes is amazing! This recipe is smooth, sweet, bold, and will leave your taste buds and belly fulfilled. An afternoon snack or an evening dessert, both are perfect times to enjoy this simple and delicious recipe. 

We hope you have enjoyed the last 30 days of Algi spirulina recipes, we sure have! Let us know on Instagram if you want to see more of these challenges and more awesome recipes!