Mastering The Vitamix Blender: Cooking Techniques Unveiled

Vitamix blenders are a handy kitchen appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking tasks. From blending smoothies to making soups, nut butter, dough, and even ice cream, Vitamix blenders are versatile and powerful tools. They can also be used for food processing tasks such as slicing, shredding, and chopping, as well as grinding coffee beans and making non-dairy milk. With different types of blenders available, including countertop, immersion, and personal blenders, Vitamix offers a range of products to suit various needs and preferences. In addition to their functionality, Vitamix blenders are also known for their durability and self-cleaning capabilities, making them a convenient and valuable addition to any kitchen.

How to make hot soups

Making hot soup with a Vitamix blender is a quick and easy way to enjoy a warm and comforting meal. With the right ingredients and preparation, you can have a steaming bowl of soup in under 10 minutes.

To make hot soup in a Vitamix, start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. This can include vegetables, herbs, spices, broth, and seasonings. Vitamix blenders can also handle dairy or non-dairy cheese and milk.

Before blending, make sure to wash and chop your vegetables into small pieces. This will ensure they blend smoothly. Add your ingredients to the Vitamix container, being careful not to overfill. Secure the lid and start blending on low speed, gradually increasing to high. Use the tamper to push ingredients towards the blades if needed.

Most Vitamix blenders can heat soup using just the friction of the blades. Blend for about 6 minutes, and your soup should be steaming hot. If you prefer it hotter, use a heating element to adjust the temperature.

To thin out the soup, add liquids such as vegetable broth, water, milk, nut milk, or coconut milk. You can also get creative and add extras like cooked beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tortellini, or ramen noodles.

Here's a sample recipe for a carrot ginger soup:

Ingredients:

• 6 medium carrots, quartered and steamed
• 1 small onion, rough chopped and steamed
• 1/8 lemon, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon curry powder
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup plain soy milk

Blend all ingredients on your machine's highest speed for about 6 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

With its high-speed blades and powerful motor, Vitamix blenders make it easy to create delicious and healthy hot soups.

Making frozen desserts

To start, you should consider your options and choose the type of frozen dessert you want to make. If you're short on time, a simple Banana Freeze is a great option. For something more adventurous, you could try a Carrot, Ginger, and Orange Ice.

Next, let your frozen fruit sit for a few minutes to slightly thaw. This will help create a silky texture in your dessert. Then, add all your ingredients to the Vitamix container, starting with liquids and ending with heavier items. Select variable 1, and slowly increase the speed to the highest setting for the best results.

Don't forget to use the tamper to press ingredients down towards the blades to ensure a smooth blend. Use quick, repetitive strokes. Be careful not to run the machine for too long, as melting can occur.

Finally, you can serve your frozen dessert immediately, or make it even cooler by scooping it into a serving bowl and placing it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. If you're not planning to indulge right away, store your frozen treats in an airtight container. When you're ready to eat, add a bit more liquid and re-blend for a smoother texture and easier scooping.

Blending non-dairy milk

Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Materials

You will need a high-speed blender, such as a Vitamix, a fine mesh nut milk bag or cheesecloth for straining, and a mason jar funnel and glass jars for storage (optional but recommended). For the milk, you can choose from a variety of nuts, seeds, or grains. Common choices include almonds, cashews, oats, or coconut.

Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients

Before blending, it is recommended to soak the nuts, seeds, or grains. Soaking helps break down hard-to-digest compounds and can increase the bioavailability of certain vitamins. Place the ingredients in a glass jar or bowl, covering them with twice the amount of water. Let them soak in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours. Remember to rinse the ingredients well before adding them to the blender.

Step 3: Blending

For nut milk, the basic formula is 1 cup of raw nuts to 3 or 4 cups of water. Place the drained, soaked nuts in the blender with very hot filtered water. If desired, add flavourings such as vanilla extract, salt, or a liquid sweetener.

Start blending on low speed for a few seconds, then increase to high speed and blend until creamy and smooth, which should take around 1 to 2 minutes. The blending time may vary depending on the power of your blender.

Step 4: Straining

After blending, strain the milk through a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or thin kitchen towel to remove any remaining bits. If using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel, place it over a large mixing bowl and slowly pour the blended milk over it. Gather the corners and squeeze to extract all the liquid.

Step 5: Storage

Store your freshly blended non-dairy milk in clean glass jars with sealable lids. Homemade non-dairy milk will typically keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Remember to shake the milk before use, as it tends to separate in the fridge.

With these steps, you can easily make your own non-dairy milk at home and explore different flavours and ingredients to find your favourite blends!

Creating dips and spreads

Vitamix blenders can be used to create a variety of dips and spreads, such as hummus, cashew French onion dip, and spinach artichoke dip. To make these, simply add your desired ingredients to the container, secure the lid, and blend. For thicker blends, use the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades.

• 2 cans of chickpeas (850 g), with liquid from 1 can
• 1/4 cup of sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (optional)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt (optional)

First, place all the ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed above and secure the lid. Then, start the blender on its lowest speed and quickly increase it to its highest speed. Blend for 60 seconds, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades if needed. Finally, you can make the hummus your own by adding spices, hot sauce, or roasted vegetables.

Vitamix blenders are also capable of making other types of food, such as smoothies, salad dressings, soups, frozen desserts, and nut butters. The blenders can even be used for tasks typically performed by a food processor, such as grinding and pulverizing ingredients.

Making sauces, dressings and marinades

A Vitamix blender can be used to make a variety of sauces, dressings and marinades. The process is simple: add your ingredients, secure the lid, start blending at a low speed, increase to the highest speed, and blend for around a minute.

For example, to make a classic Italian tomato sauce, add the following ingredients to the Vitamix container in this order: one onion, peeled and halved; two tablespoons of tomato paste; one garlic clove, peeled; half a teaspoon each of dried oregano, dried basil, lemon juice and brown sugar. Secure the lid, turn the machine on at a low speed, and gradually increase to the highest speed. Blend for around a minute, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades. Pour the sauce into a saucepan and simmer for 35-40 minutes.

You can also use your Vitamix blender to make salad dressings. For instance, a Greek-style vinaigrette with tangy feta, fresh basil and olives can complement salads with a Mediterranean twist. Or, for a fruity option, a creamy raspberry dressing with Greek yoghurt and fresh raspberries goes well with salads containing fruit or nuts.

In addition to sauces and dressings, you can make marinades in your Vitamix blender. Marinades are a great way to flavour and tenderise meat, seafood and vegetables. For example, a fajita marinade can be made by blending together bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Simply chop the vegetables, toss them in the marinade and leave to sit for 30 minutes before grilling or frying. You can also marinate the chicken or beef in the same mixture for a more intense flavour.

Your Vitamix blender can also be used to make a variety of herb sauces, such as chimichurri, a South American blend of fresh parsley, cilantro, oregano, spices, olive oil and red wine vinegar. This sauce can be used as a marinade, served with grilled meat and fish, or drizzled over roasted vegetables. Another option is chermoula, a Moroccan sauce made with cilantro, parsley, garlic, spices and olive oil. This sauce is traditionally served over fish, but also goes well with whole grains, vegetables and eggs.

Frequently asked questions