If you like auctions, an immersion blender is at auction right now. If you miss it, try back in a few days as it will be showing back up again.
Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender w/Whisk & Chopper Attachments
Friday, May 26, 2017
Immersion Blender on auction right now
If you like auctions, an immersion blender is at auction right now. If you miss it, try back in a few days as it will be showing back up again.
Vita-Mix 3600
I have enjoyed my Vita-Mix for over 20 years. It is a quality built machine. I have the old, commercial stainless steel one. I remember when the new plastic one came out and watched it demonstrated at Costco.
Though I do like my machine, it is very costly to replace parts on it, but you can get it fixed or buy the parts and buy accessories or cook-books to it from the company. My machine is currently needing a new seal by the blades (since it is leaking), so I use it mostly for any dry items or very thick batters now and it works just fine for that.
My favorite all-time things I've made in this are my scratch chocolate cream pie, re-fried beans and oat flour made from oatmeal. The machine was advertised as a one machine does it all, but I did not find it so. Yes you can do very many different things in it, but it is very good at some things, but not all. I didn't like it for: grinding cheese, bread dough, chopping meat, juicing and making hot soups directly in it. I did like it for a basic blender function, taking whole grains to flour, breaking down pumpkin fibers for recipes and re-fried beans and turning my dried purple cone flower seed heads or my dried spearmint leaves into tea. But I loved it for making my cooked chocolate pudding pie recipe that I'm known for. Just plan on replacing seals for the lid, spout, and base blade and handle every few years and then you should be content with it.
I first saw this machine sitting on my Grandmother's counter. Then I saw my aunt also had one and asked her about it. She found hers used and was watching for others. I placed a free ad in my city's newspaper to buy one. After research on this machine, people recommended having a second blender container top part. Some preferred not having the spout unless you wanted to make ice cream or in my case so I could dispense hot pie filling into the crust. The spout also came in real handy for ice cream as when I lived in Thailand only a couple of choices for ice cream were in the stores in a population of about a half to one million people. So I was able to buy all these used pieces at a very good price, since the new ones were way out of my budget. I later added a new cookbook and a wooden tamper tool and seals bought from the company. The most difficult part of having this machine was cleaning the spout.
Oat Flour
Fill the canister to about 3/4 full of dry, old fashioned oatmeal. Place lid on top and fasten the clasps into place. Turn machine on Start, #1. Press the red lever button down for about 30 seconds. Add more time if you wish for finer flour. You can use the tamper if necessary to move the flour from the edge of the container. Angle it to the sides in a circle direction. Now this is ready for any recipe you want to use oat flour in.
Immersion Blender
I bought this used but in new condition for $4.00 and this model has 2 speeds.
To turn whole peeled tomatoes into juice, pureed or tomato sauce, first open the can. Check to see if there is enough space in the top of the can for the tool to be inserted and room for it to blend.
If there is not enough room in the can then you will need to put it into a larger bowl, dish or pot. Start on the low setting then push the higher setting. Tip the tool to the side a bit to relieve any suction at the bottom. Raise the tool up or down to blend it to the texture you want to work with. Don't raise the tool out of the dish while the machine is running or you will have a mess to clean up. Just turn it off or remove your finger from the button first. For this brand you will need to press in on the button and hold it in for it to first turn on.
Some machines come with extra attachments and a cup like this but you can use any food safe container you already have on hand.
I've been using immersion blenders for over 30 years. My first introduction to this machine and how to use it was in the country of Germany. This tool is perfect for mixing eggs, shakes, sauces, blending canned fruit for baby food and many other things. This tool especially comes in handy for when needing to convert whole tomatoes from your pantry to another item like pizza sauce with herbs to keep from having to run to the store for that one item your pantry is short of.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
May - More Types Of Blenders Comming
At least 2-3 more blenders will continue to be reviewed this month. A Vita-Mix and a immersion blender. I've done all types of things in my Vita - Mix. Things like ice cream, filling for chocolate cream pie or pudding, hot soup, grinding the fresh grain and kneading the dough for bread, re-fried beans, pumpkin bar/muffin batter and the list goes on. Currently I use it for turning oatmeal flakes into oatmeal flour for my chocolate chip cookie recipe. I use the immersion blenders for something I want to liquefy in it's container/can. My husband does not like chunks of tomato in his soup so I use the immersion blender to turn it into juice in the same can and then use it in the recipe. I also use them in a container or in a pot on the stove. For a soup example: chunky vegetables in broth and blend them to make a liquid soup.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
General Electric Smoothie Maker
I'm not really sure the name for this machine. It says GE on the button. It quickly blends a nice smoothie with 2 sizes to choose from for a large or small single serving.
Single Serving Blueberry Smoothie
1/4 container frozen blueberries
1/2 banana
Your choice of 100% juice filled to the max line on container (about 3/4 full).
Screw on the 4 prong blade lid. Invert and set on the motor base. Turn to the left about 10-15 seconds. Turn to the right and remove from the machine. Invert and unscrew the blender lid. Set on or screw on the serving ring. It's ready to drink or you can screw on the rubber ring lined cap lid and put in the fridge or your lunch box.
Single Serving Raspberry Grape Smoothie
Make same as above but use frozen grapes and raspberries instead and 1/2 banana is optional.
I'm pleased with this machine, it's quick, easy and efficient, and also easy to rinse out right after you drink it. What's your favorite? Mine's the raspberry grape one pictured on the right.
The Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker - More Ideas
Pancakes and Eggs
To see how to use this machine see my earlier posts on this machine. Use 2 tablespoons pancake batter in the bottom ring on the machine. Egg and seasonings go in the top ring and set the timer for 2 minutes. I used fresh cilantro, fresh ground black pepper ( from a pepper mill) and seasoning salt in the beaten egg.
Want a sandwich instead? Just layer any leftovers or fresh hot ones like below.
If you have too much fresh herbs, rinse, drain and place in a freezer bag. Close it 3/4 the way, press down on the bag to removed excess air then finish sealing it. Pop it in the freezer. When needed just tear or snip off the amount you need for any recipe. Remember to label it with the item name and date.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Oster Blender Recap
This high quality, high powered blender quickly blends a smoother smoothie. I like it that the top is made of glass and not plastic. Although glass can break as I remember from childhood from breaking my mom's. And yes, her's was also a Oster. Of course she taught me a good lesson by having me replace the broken top from my savings account. She also bought the Oster Regency Kitchen Center about 20 some years later. At that time I was living in Germany and dreaming of this machine from seeing it in a catalog. When visiting back home in the U.S.A., I enjoyed using her machine. Then many years later I had the chance to buy this used one when I was again needing another blender.
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