The Savoury Secret: Why Almond Butter is the Ultimate Rice Bowl Game-Changer
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When you think of 99th Monkey Almond Butter, your mind probably goes straight to the classics: spread thick on sourdough, swirled into morning oats, or perhaps eaten straight off the spoon (we don’t judge). It’s the king of breakfast and the hero of healthy snacks.
But if you’re only using almond butter for sweet dishes, you’re only using half the jar’s potential.
At 99th Monkey, we’re all about the "Hundredth Monkey" effect - that tipping point where a new idea becomes the new normal. And right now, the new normal in our kitchens is savoury. Specifically, using our signature Smooth Almond Butter as the star ingredient in a vibrant, nutrient-dense savoury bowl.
Look at the photo accompanying this post: a steaming bowl of fluffy rice, tender grilled chicken, and a rainbow of carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, and cabbage. It looks delicious on its own, but the real magic is that golden, velvety drizzle of almond butter over the top.
Today, we’re diving into why almond butter belongs in your dinner bowl, the science of the flavour match, and how you can master the "Almond Drizzle" in seconds.
The Flavour Profile: Why It Just Works
If you’ve ever enjoyed a traditional Satay sauce or a West African peanut stew, you already know that nut butters have a long, delicious history in savoury cooking. However, almond butter offers a more sophisticated, subtle, and creamy profile than its peanut cousin.
1. The Creamy Contrast
Our Smooth Almond Butter is naturally rich and earthy. When it hits warm rice or steamed broccoli, it creates a "mouthfeel" that usually requires heavy creams or oils. It coats the chicken and the cabbage, acting as a bridge between the different textures in the bowl.
2. The Sweet-Salty Balance
Almonds have an inherent, delicate sweetness. When you pair that with savoury elements - like the saltiness of seasoned chicken or the umami of a splash of soy sauce - you hit all the major taste buds at once. It’s that "perfect bite" we all look for in a meal.
3. Cutting the Bitterness
Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage have slight bitter notes (which are actually a sign of their healthy phytonutrients). The fats in the almond butter neutralise that bitterness, making the greens taste sweeter and more palatable - a great hack for picky eaters!
The Health Benefits: More Than Just a Topping
At 99th Monkey, we don't use fillers, palm oil, or weird additives. It’s just pure, high-quality almonds. When you drizzle our butter over your veggie bowl, you aren't just adding flavour; you’re adding a powerhouse of nutrition.
Healthy Fats for Nutrient Absorption
Did you know that many of the vitamins found in your veggies - specifically Vitamins A, D, E, and K - are fat-soluble? This means your body needs a healthy fat source to actually absorb them. By adding almond butter to your bowl of spinach and carrots, you are literally making those vegetables healthier.
Plant-Based Protein & Fibre
While your chicken provides great protein, adding almond butter gives you a secondary "boost." It’s also packed with dietary fibre, which works alongside the brown rice and cabbage to keep your digestion happy and your hunger at bay for hours.
Vitamin E & Magnesium
Almonds are one of the best food sources of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells. They are also rich in magnesium, which helps with muscle function and stress management - perfect for a post-gym dinner.
The "Easiest Dressing Ever" (No Blender Required)
One of the biggest barriers to eating healthy is the "sauce struggle." You have a bowl of healthy ingredients, but you don't want to spend 20 minutes making a complicated dressing or settle for a store-bought version filled with sugar and preservatives.
Enter the Almond Drizzle.
Our Smooth Almond Butter is naturally "pourable" at room temperature, making it the world’s easiest dressing. You don't need a whisk, and you don't need a blender.
How to do it:
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The Pure Pour: If you’re a purist, simply take a tablespoon of 99th Monkey Smooth Almond Butter and drizzle it directly over your warm bowl. The heat from the rice and chicken will soften the butter even further, creating a rich, nutty coating.
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The 3-Ingredient Sauce: If you want to take it to the next level, mix 1 tablespoon of almond butter with 1 teaspoon of soy sauce (or tamari) and a squeeze of lime juice. Whisk with a fork in a small ramekin, and you have a gourmet "Almond Satay" in under 30 seconds.
Building the Ultimate 99th Monkey Bowl
Want to recreate the bowl in our photo? Here is how to layer it for maximum impact:
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The Base: Start with a bed of rice (Brown, Basmati, or Jasmine all work beautifully). This is your canvas.
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The Protein: Add your grilled or poached chicken. Season it simply with salt, pepper, and maybe a little garlic powder to let the almond butter shine.
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The Veggie Rainbow:
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Broccoli & Cabbage: Lightly steam these so they keep their crunch.
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Carrots: Grated or ribboned for a hit of sweetness.
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Spinach: Fresh leaves that will slightly wilt under the warmth of the rice.
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Tomato: Adds a burst of acidity to cut through the richness of the nut butter.
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The Finale: Drizzle a generous tablespoon (or two) of 99th Monkey Smooth Almond Butter across the top.
From the Pantry to the Plate
The beauty of a savoury bowl is that it’s a "fridge raid" meal. It’s what you make on a Tuesday night when you’re tired but want to stay on track with your health goals. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s incredibly satisfying.
By using almond butter in your savoury cooking, you’re following the 99th Monkey philosophy: finding a smarter, better way to eat. You’re ditching the processed, sugar-laden salad dressings and replacing them with a single-ingredient superfood.
So, next time you’re prepping your dinner, don't put the almond butter away. Keep it on the bench. Whether it’s over rice, stirred into a stir-fry, or used as a dip for roasted sweet potatoes, our almond butter is ready to show you its savoury side.
Have you tried the savoury drizzle yet? Snap a photo of your 99th Monkey Savoury Bowl and tag us on Instagram @99th_monkey. We’re looking for the most creative uses of our butter to share with the community!