Blend Cooked Veggies: Best Tips For A Smooth Puree

Blenders are a great way to incorporate vegetables into your diet, especially if you don't like the taste or texture of them. Whether you want to make juice, soup, baby food, or just chop them up, a blender can be a useful tool for preparing vegetables. Here are some tips on how to blend cooked vegetables in a blender:

1. Clean your blender: Make sure your blender is thoroughly cleaned and dried before using it.

2. Prepare your vegetables: Cut your cooked vegetables into small, manageable pieces. This will help the blender process them more easily and allow you to control portion sizes.

3. Add liquid: For the blender to function properly, you need to add enough liquid. Use water, coconut milk, milk, or orange juice. The amount of liquid will depend on the consistency you want to achieve.

4. Blend: Place the ingredients in the blender, secure the lid, and blend on a low setting. Gradually increase the speed as needed.

5. Check consistency: Blend the vegetables until you are satisfied with the consistency. For chunkier results, use the pulse setting or blend for a shorter time.

6. Add extras: If you want to enhance the flavour of your blended vegetables, you can add spices, herbs, or other ingredients.

How to prepare veggies for blending

Preparing veggies for blending is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Firstly, ensure your vegetables are clean by running them under cool water and scrubbing them with a soft brush. You may also use a vegetable cleaning spray. Next, decide whether you want to peel your vegetables. Some vegetables, like oranges, are best peeled before blending, while others, like carrots, are fine to go in unpeeled.

Now it's time to cut your veggies into smaller, more manageable pieces. This will help your blender process them more easily and allow you to add the correct portion sizes. If you're using larger, harder vegetables, like carrots or cucumbers, cut them into one to two-inch pieces so they don't overwhelm your blender's blades. If you're blending softer veggies, like spinach or kale, you can add them whole.

If you're using starchy vegetables, like potatoes, be aware that blenders aren't designed to handle them well. You're likely to end up with an undesirable texture. It's best to avoid these types of veggies when blending.

Finally, if you're using smaller vegetables, like peas or berries, you can freeze them before blending. Freezing helps create a particular shape, and you'll also get some extra liquid from the melting ice. Your blender will have an easier time processing these frozen treats.

The best blenders for the job

If you're looking to blend cooked vegetables, you'll need a high-quality blender that can handle the job. Here are some of the best blenders on the market that will make quick work of your veggies:

Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender

This blender is a top-of-the-line option and is widely considered the best in its class. With its incredibly sharp blades and powerful motor, it can easily blend tough ingredients like cooked vegetables. It has a capacity of 64 ounces and is automatic, so you can walk away while it does the work. The self-cleaning function is also a convenient feature. While it is an expensive option, many professionals and regular cooks swear by it.

Blendtec Total Blender Classic

If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Blendtec Total Blender Classic is a great choice. It may not have as many speeds or as long of a warranty as the Vitamix, but it still packs a punch. With five preset speeds, it can easily emulsify sauces, dressings, and aioli. It has a capacity of 36 ounces, making it perfect for those who don't need to blend in large batches.

Hurom Hexa Power High-Speed Blender

For a high-speed blender that won't break the bank, the Hurom Hexa Power blender is an excellent option. It has a large capacity of 68 ounces and features both automatic and manual controls. It's perfect for making smoothies, crushing ice, and blending soup. Keep in mind that it is a bit bulky and takes up quite a bit of space.

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender

Another excellent blender from Vitamix is the A3500 Ascent Series model. This blender features a touchscreen interface, making it super easy to use and clean. It has a capacity of 64 ounces and comes with a timer, allowing you to blend for exactly the amount of time you need. It's a great choice for those who want the power of a Vitamix with the convenience of a touchscreen.

Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender

If you're looking for something more compact and affordable, an immersion blender like the Breville Control Grip is a great option. While it may not be as powerful as the full-size blenders, it's perfect for blending sauces, soups, and dressings. It has 15 speed settings, allowing you to fine-tune your blend. It's also easy to use, with a comfortable grip and an ergonomic design.

Nutribullet Pro 900 Personal Blender

For those who want a personal blender that's perfect for on-the-go smoothies and blended beverages, the Nutribullet Pro 900 is an excellent choice. Despite its small size, it has a powerful 900-watt motor that can easily puree soups and sauces. It comes with two 32-ounce cups, making it perfect for blending in batches.

The best veggie types and combinations

Blending cooked vegetables is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends eating two to three cups of vegetables a day, and blending them into a smoothie is an easy way to meet that goal.

If you're new to drinking green smoothies, start with mild leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and kale. These vegetables have a mild taste and won't make your smoothies overwhelmingly bitter. You can also add a banana to your green smoothie to make it sweeter and creamier.

For a well-rounded smoothie, consider adding some healthy fats and proteins. Avocado is a great option as it adds a creamy texture and contributes healthy fats. Greek yogurt is another excellent choice, providing protein and a thick consistency.

When blending cooked vegetables, it's important to cut them into small pieces to ensure they blend easily. You can also add water to create a more liquid consistency, but be sure to add it in small quantities so your drink doesn't get too watered down.

• Spinach, avocado, mango, and banana
• Kale, grapefruit, and banana
• Chard, tropical fruits, and Greek yogurt
• Collard greens, avocado, and banana
• Cauliflower, cherries, and chocolate protein powder
• Sweet potato, walnuts, and cinnamon
• Butternut squash, banana, and strawberries
• Beets, strawberries, and bananas
• Green peas, mint, and avocado
• Carrots, bananas, and pineapple
• Celery, apple, and banana
• Cucumber, pineapple, and banana
• Zucchini, plant-based milk, nut butter, and cocoa powder

These are just a few ideas, but feel free to experiment with different combinations of cooked vegetables, fruits, and other additives to find what you like best!

How to blend cooked veggies

Blenders are a great tool for blending vegetables and can be used for various purposes, such as making juice, soup, or baby food. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to blend cooked veggies:

Preparing Your Vegetables

First, ensure your vegetables are cleaned thoroughly by running them under cool water and scrubbing them gently with a soft brush. You may also use a vegetable cleaning spray. If desired, you can peel your vegetables with a vegetable peeler.

Cutting the Vegetables

Cut your vegetables into smaller, more manageable pieces. This will make it easier to blend and allow you to control the portions.

Blending Your Vegetables

Place the desired amount of vegetables into your blender, ensuring it is not filled too much to allow for easy blending. If you are following a specific recipe, make sure to add the ingredients accordingly.

For pureeing vegetables into a smooth and creamy consistency, select the puree option on your blender. If you only need to chop the vegetables for a soup, choose the chop setting instead. Most recipes will specify which option to use.

If you are creating vegetable juices, add water to your vegetables gradually as you blend to achieve the desired consistency. After blending, strain the juice through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove any remaining pulp or seeds for a smoother drinking experience.

You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture. For example, adding sugar or honey can counteract bitterness, while banana will add sweetness and creaminess to your blend.

When processing food for pastes, sauces, or baby food, blend the vegetables in intervals of 30 seconds, pausing to move the mashed vegetables around before blending again. Repeat this process until you achieve the desired consistency.

Always ensure your blender is thoroughly cleaned before and after use to maintain food hygiene and prevent cross-contamination.

Tips for Effective Blending

• Vegetable to Liquid Ratio: Ensure you have the right amount of water or liquid to achieve the desired texture and consistency. Too much liquid can result in uneven blending, while too little can lead to lumps.
• Cutting Vegetables: While blenders can handle various cutting tasks, they may struggle with larger, harder vegetables. Cut big vegetables like carrots or cucumbers into smaller pieces (around 1-2 inches) to prevent overworking the blender blades.
• Freezing Vegetables: Smaller vegetables can be frozen before blending, which helps create a particular shape and provides additional liquid from the melting ice.
• Avoid Starchy Vegetables: Blenders are not ideal for thick and starchy vegetables like potatoes, as they will not produce the desired texture.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively blend cooked vegetables and unlock a variety of culinary possibilities, from soups to sauces and purees.

What to make with blended veggies

Blended vegetables can be used in a variety of dishes, from smoothies and juices to soups, sauces, baby food, and even ground meat. Here are some ideas on what to make with blended veggies:

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to consume blended vegetables, especially if you're looking for a convenient snack or meal replacement. Start with mild leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, or kale as a base. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, beetroot, broccoli, celery, cucumber, avocado, or pumpkin. To make it taste better, include fruits like bananas, apples, oranges, mangoes, pineapples, or berries. You can also add Greek yogurt, nuts, seeds, or honey to enhance the flavor and texture.

Juices

If you want to make vegetable juice, blend your vegetables with water, adding small amounts at a time to avoid diluting the flavor too much. After blending, strain the mixture through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove any pulp or seeds. You can add honey or sugar to sweeten the juice if it's too bitter for your taste.

Soups

Blended vegetables can be used as a base for creamy soups. Cauliflower, butternut squash, and potato are great options for this. You can also add blended veggies to other soup recipes to boost their nutritional content.

Sauces and Baby Food

Pureed vegetables can be used as a base for sauces or baby food. Simply blend the cooked vegetables until smooth, and season with spices or herbs as needed.

Ground Meat

Blended vegetables can be added to ground meat dishes like tacos, meatloaf, meatballs, or bolognese sauce. Mushrooms are a popular choice for this, as they add moisture, flavor, and nutrients to the meat.

Frequently asked questions