Finally got my last Christmas present

[Tab]

(it arrived late)

This is a KitchenAid UltraPower Blender.

It kicks ass.

[mike_c]

1. nice!

I've gotten along just fine since the ex took the food processor, but I couldn't function without my blender! Nothing better for making soups, sauces, and smoothies.

[wildeyed]

2. I got one of those stick blender thingys and haven't

used the regular blender much since. It is great to be able to puree the soup in the pot.

[Lugnut]

3. Very nice

Enjoy! I don't use my blender very much. DH makes smoothies now and then but that's about it. What do you make with yours, Tab?

[japple]

4. Blenders are great for frozen peach daquiries and margaritas

in the summertime. I also use it for making relishes. I use my hand blender for making creamy soups right on the stove--no mess!!

By the way, I made a wonderful cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving and it was so good, I made more at Christmas. My sister has made it a lot, too. Can't remember where I got the recipe. Maybe Joy or Fannie Farmer.

Cranberry Sauce

One bag cranberries
One whole orange (scrubbed with baking soda) or one box khumquats (that ain't spelled right)
3/4 c. sugar

Wash cranberries and send through the blender on "chop" speed. Cut/seed oranges in quarters and put them through on "chop". Mix all in a bowl with the sugar. Let sit at least a few hours before serving.

[Tab]

5. My first project, interestingly enough...

is hummus.

I like to buy flavored hummus at the store but have never tried making it. It seems you can set up a base and then put in any damn flavor you want. So I have some interesting things I'm trying (if I succeed, I'll post them here).

Right now I've made the base, but I probably should have done more liquid first, because the blender started to overheat from the stress of pushing the chickpea paste around. I'm letting it rest, and will tackle the flavors in a few minutes. It's more my fault of not having worked with blenders a lot for this kind of thing.

I originally wanted it for soups, because mastering soup has kind of been my winter project, but I was intrigued by reading about hummus in the little recipe book that came with it. In looking through the 'net, it appears there's a brazillion ways to make hummus, the only requirement being chickpeas (and even then, some recipes use garbanzo). Tahini is often added in, but in ranges anywhere from a few tbsp to equal footing. So I'm experimenting.

I've got the base, now comes the fun part. :)

[japple]

6. My favorite hummus recipes call for mostly chickpeas

(same as garbanzo beans, or "garbage beans" as my husband called them), lemon juice, garlic, salt and tahini. I have bought some very good hummus with roasted red pepper and another with 5 spice.

[Lugnut]

10. That sounds good

It sounds very refreshing.

I always use my stick blender when I make cream soups. It's a lot less sloppy than using the food processor.

[housewolf]

7. The best presents always arrive late...

It looks great, happy blending with it!

[NMDemDist2]

8. i have a bunch of blenders, home and commerical

i never use any of them, anybody wanna buy one? (my Beast stand mixer came with one too, so if I ever need one I'm covered)

the last time i remember using one was like 6 years ago when my coffee grinder broke down, i used it to grind coffee til i could replace the grinder


I use my food processor for soups and purees :shrug:

[Stinky The Clown]

9. You can make Hollondaise in a blender

Ya gotta be careful, but it works. Way easier than beating it with a wisk. From Hollondaise, one can derive Bearnaise, which is just sublime on a nice steak.

When the congnitive part of my brain reengages with the 'whoopee' part, maybe I'll post it. Remind me if yer innerested.