Where has this been all of my life? I love sweet corn, especially in summer when it has just been picked. I love bacon, any time and with just about any food. How come I have never thought of grilling the two together?
This recipe has been featured in many articles highlighting favorite tailgating foods for NFL fans. The Taste Of The NFL featured it and Blue Ribbon restaurants regularly feature this as a side dish.
It’s crazy simple-corn and bacon. No special spices, no secret ingredients. The toughest part of the recipe is cutting the corn off of the cob, and there are tons of kitchen gadgets that will help you do that.
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is exactly what the name implies. It’s corn with a high sugar content. In many cuisines it is added into vegetable dishes. Tex-Mex cooking will use sweet corn in chilis and tacos while most Americans steam or boil it and eat it with butter and salt and pepper. Left to dry, the corn can be cooked in oil and will double in size. Unlike popcorn, it won’t pop but can be eaten whole. You probably know it as corn nuts.
This is the perfect recipe to try out different types of bacon. The natural saltiness of the bacon will flavor the corn, you don’t need to add any salt to this dish. Using an apple wood bacon works well here, as does a maple bacon. Turkey bacon is okay in this recipe but it doesn’t crumble very well. You want the bacon to be crisp but not burnt.
Ingredients
8 cobs of sweet corn
1 pound of bacon, cut up into small pieces
Directions
Boil corn until fully cooked. Shock corn in cold water.
Using a knife, remove the kernels from the corn.
On your electric griddle over medium heat, grill your bacon until desired crispness.
Carefully remove bacon and let it rest on plate with paper towel to absorb excess fat. Pour off the excess fat on the griddle (thank goodness for grease trays!), reserving 2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat to cook the corn. Add the corn to the bacon fat and sauté over medium heat until heated through, about 1 minute.
The kids are in bed, it’s time to relax. It’s 100 degrees outside and no relief is in sight. This screams for a sweet, cool, refreshing adult drink. Let’s have a bourbon peach slush.
Most of us grew us having slush drinks, they were a treat when we were kids. Whether you had on at the local 7-11 or maybe a Dairy Queen, they were sweet and cool. Perfect on a hot summer day. No one really knew what flavor the blue slush was but we all drank it just the same.
As blenders have become more convenient and versatile, people have been experimenting with different drink combinations that were once available only in bars. Using fresh fruit, crushing ice, adding syrups and simple sugars has become almost a calling for some, and there are some wonderful creations that have come from these experiments.
Simple Syrup
Some sweet drinks start with simple syrup. As the name implies, it’s a syrup and is simple to make. Usually it is one part water to one part sugar. It’s boiled until it has a syrupy consistency and adds texture and flavor to many types of mixed drinks. It’s also a common ingredient in baking and cooking, you would be surprised at the number of recipes that call for it.
The simple syrup used in this recipe has an addition-peaches. The syrup is actually the base for the drink recipe, meaning that after you have cooked the simple syrup you will leave the peaches in. Cooking the peaches in the syrup amplifies that natural sweetness of the peaches.
If possible, use fresh peaches (peeled of course). However, if you don’t have access to fresh, frozen peaches will work fine. Use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of frozen in place of the 2 fresh peaches called for in the recipe.
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and peaches to make the simple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat, and steep for 15 minutes, then refrigerate until use.
Pour the peach simple syrup (with the peach slices, too!), the bourbon and ice cubes into the blender.
This recipe is outstanding if you need to feed a large group. Your electric griddle is perfect for pancakes and this recipe is a real crowd pleaser. The ingredients are similar to those found in a traditional oatmeal cookie recipe. Adding buttermilk to the batter makes the mix very creamy and very rich.
Ingredients
1 1/2 Cup all-purpose flour
3/4 Cups old-fashioned oats
2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 Teaspoons baking powder
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
3/4 Teaspoons ground cinnamon
Big pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
2 Cups buttermilk
1 Teaspoon pure maple syrup
1/4 Cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted and cooled, plus more for the griddle or pan
Directions
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 200 degrees. This will help keep the cooked pancakes warm while you finish the entire batch. You can also use the warming rack on your electric griddle if it has one.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, maple syrup, and melted butter. Add the buttermilk mixture, all at once, to the flour mixture and fold together with a spatula until all of the flour is incorporated. Fold in the raisins. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Heat griddle over medium heat and add a touch of butter to melt. Spoon or pour batter onto the hot griddle. Heat until the bottom is browned and the top is bubbly. Flip and cook through, about 2 minutes on each side. Place on a heatproof plate in the oven to rest until ready to serve. Serve with pure maple syrup and watch the happiness.
Pancakes should never be turned more than once. They are fairly delicate and turning them often can cause them to break. A trick to knowing when to turn a pancake is to peak at the side on the griddle. Use your pancake turner to gently lift up an edge and see how brown the cake is.
If you haven’t used buttermilk before, this is a great way to try it. Buttermilk is the liquid left over after butter is made. It’s generally low fat and can be easier to digest. Plus, it tastes great!
Too often you have probably heard someone tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. On the surface that may be true, it may have been 12-14 hours since you last ate (we are not counting snacks for this example). However, your body can store a lot of energy and keep functioning for a long time. Missing one meal may make you full hungry but there are no health issues that will come from a longer fast. What is true is that less than half of the population in the US and Europe have a meal for breakfast.
Sometimes We Just Don’t Like Breakfast Foods
Nothing is written in stone that says you can only eat breakfast foods for breakfast. Tradition has moved us into a mind set where breakfast is eggs and bacon, maybe pancakes or possibly cereal (hot or cold). If you truly don’t feel feel hungry in the morning, particularly if you aren’t accustomed to eating breakfast, these foods may be quite unappealing.
Health and diet experts believe that people who skip breakfast end up eating more over the course of the rest of the day. Even having a piece of fruit or some yogurt can help to stave off food cravings the rest of the morning.
So what is the best mix of the right nutrients and vitamins, something that will give you energy for the start of your day? Even if you don’t usually eat breakfast you should have sometime after you wake up to give your body a boost.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult to have a good breakfast. Start by making a list of what you like and then create some breakfast plans around the list. Do you like fruit? Make a smoothie or add fruit to cereal. Do you have a favorite chicken dish? That can work for breakfast as well as lunch.
Simple Breakfast Tips
* If you are stretched for time and need a faster breakfast, try making some breakfast burritos. They are quick and easy and you can keep them in the freezer. You can use whole-wheat or regular tortillas, scrambled eggs (either whole, all whites, a mix, or an egg product), some veggies like onions and peppers, and any type of protein (meat or meatless).
* It worked when you were a kid, so consider making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread. The whole wheat gives you fiber (helping to make you feel full). That can make a fine breakfast that is quick to prepare. You might add a glass of milk or some fruit to give your meal some balance.
* Hot or cold cereals can make for a fine breakfast. Just make sure it’s not the only thing you eat. Top off your cereal with some banana or blueberries, or swapping out dairy for soy milk for a healthy dairy addition. If you are trying to cut fat out of your diet, stick to skim milk.
Statistics show that over half of us don’t eat breakfast, so it pays to have a few short cuts to get around those excuses.
* Many of us eat our breakfasts on the go, meaning we are searching for food that travels well. In this case a well made smoothie is a good place to start. If you have a blender in your kitchen you can create your own special smoothies. Watch the ingredient list closely if you purchase a smoothie at a coffee shop. Some of these drinks include a lot of cream and sugar and can have up to 600 calories. You can purchase a good blender or smoothie maker to have at home and whip up your own smoothie in less time than it takes to stop at a smoothie store, and you ‘ll know exactly what’s in it.
Breakfast Can Be Low Calorie
Breakfast might be the easiest meal to fill up without using a lot of calories or fat. You can fry up an egg, add a slice of Canadian bacon and put the two into a toasted English muffin for a 200-calorie, filling breakfast.
There’s no law that says you have to eat breakfast foods for breakfast. You legitimately might not feel hungry in the morning, particularly if you aren’t accustomed to eating breakfast. Study after study shows that people who skip breakfast end up eating more the rest of the day than people who eat a solid breakfast every morning.
If you are simply starting to cook, or are moving in on your own, opportunities are, you don’t have much in terms of cooking devices. Here is what we recommend for you to get, as you are beginning. As times goes by, you will, obviously, get more kitchen gadgets. Here are 5 that we recommend beginning out with:
Cutting Board
This is something extremely fundamental, but there are quite a few options when it comes to cutting boards. It’s a basic utensil as you can’t slice anything without having one, but you need to make sure you have the kind you will want to use.
A good cutting board is extremely versatile, as you can chop practically anything on it. Almost every recipe calls for something to be cut, sliced, trimmed or chopped and you don’t want to do this on a counter top.
Some people prefer to get separate slicing boards to meat, dairy products, vegetables or fruits. This is a good idea as some cutting boards are softer than others. You don’t want meat juices getting deep into a board, they can be very difficult to clean. Many experienced cooks will get differently sized boards. They may like to use them depending on the volume of things they need to chop. Start out with a basic wooden cutting board, they are the most versatile. As you become more experienced you can look at plastic and stone.
This may seem silly but you will not be able to slice or chop anything on your cutting board unless you have a good quality knife. A good quality knife goes a long way to help you prepare food and will last you for years. This is one place you probably don’t want to be cutting costs in.
Get A Big Pot
You will need a big pot often. While it may sound basic, it is one thing you will constantly be reaching for. Starting with basics like boiling pastas to making soups and stews, you will always be using some type of pot for cooking. Some pots include straining inserts, that makes it much easier to prepare pasta. Others have steamer attachments for corn or lobsters.
Along with a good big pot, you will need a sturdy frying pan. We like saute pans, and use them all the time. They are smaller than a typical frying pan and are really versatile. Look for pans with a non-stick coating and without wooden handles. Often you will put the frying pan in the oven to finish off a dish, make sure it is ovenproof.
You will find that you use one frying pan more than others. It may be a saute pan, it may be a big multi purpose frying pan.
– Roasting Pan. These are ideal for preparing things in the oven. From roast to roasted chicken to roasted veggies, a roasted pan can assist you prepare your preferred dishes in the oven.
Do not be frightened – cooking is enjoyable. Start getting a couple of things that we recommended, and contribute to your collection of kitchen area devices as time goes.
If your kids keep asking to help in the kitchen, it may be the right time to get them started cooking.We have some simple and easy suggestions for teaching these new cooks the fundamentals of cooking. If you teach them well you will be providing skills that will last them their lifetime!
Firstly, think about the safety and security of the child cook. A good rule to follow is that a child that has to use a stool or chair in order to reach the stove is too young (or small) to be using it. Start small, it will help to keep from overwhelming the youngster. Let younger children assist with setting and clearing the table. collecting ingredients, and stirring, blending or including components.
You need to be very clear about working with knives and other sharp instruments. Knives are a key part of cooking and it’s very important that you stress the seriousness of knives. Same with hot pans and boiling liquids. Both of these are almost always present in some form and this is not the time to learn by making a mistake.
Occasionally parents start teaching their kids to cook by having them make things that don’t need cooking first. Sandwiches are a great example of this. You can gradually add more to their learning schedule by letting them use the microwave. Your goal is to create an enjoyable yet safe environment that will allow your kids to create and learn how to cook.
Make Sure They Know How To Clean Up!
Learning to cook ought to be fun, not something to be feared. Like all things in life there are specific duties that go along with cooking and baking. Set a good example by cleaning up as you go along, and leaving the kitchen as clean at the end as it was at the start. Show your kids what the different utensils are used for, and the best way to utilize them. Cooking together is a great method to learn measurements and chemistry, such as how ingredients work when exposed to high heat. You are being sneaky, the children might not even understand they’re learning while they’re having fun creating meals!
Start with basic recipes. There are some great cookbooks designed just for kids. The good ones are those that include detailed guidelines and images so kids can see what their dish is expected to look like as they follow the recipe. Give your kids an opportunity to shine. When you child is ready to prepare more complicated dishes, let them be accountable for preparing the entire meal. Letting your kids plan an entire meal, and even buying the active ingredients, will assist them to understand and appreciate the effort that enters into cooking. As your kids end up being more proficient, begin including foods from various cultures.
Start With Simple Recipes
Many recipes such as French crepes or Italian lasagna are easy to make, and your kids will develop an appreciation for many different kinds of food. Especially for younger kids, having tools that are their own size not just make cooking more fun, however make it easier for them to participate. Kid-sized cooking area utensils can be found at many department or specialized stores. Make sure you take a lot of pictures at each step of the cooking process. You might not understand it now, however you’re making memories that at some point will be as tasty as that batch of chocolate chip cookies you’re baking now!
Cooking can either be simply a means of feeding yourself or it can be a fantastic and fun creative process that will provide you with fabulous meals! Read on to discover some great ideas on how to make cooking an easier and more pleasurable experience for you before your next meal!
Prep Your Meals!
All of the prep work can be done ahead of time. Before you start making your food, it is a good thing to have everything prepared. Having a deadline for an important meal or event can become quite stressful when you are starting from scratch. Do the prep work as early as you can to avoid stress later.
If you want to cook delicious steaks, use your oven broiler. When you properly heat your oven, the broiler will quickly sear the meat and keep it juicier. You should avoid using any utensil that will puncture the meat when you turn it. That will cause vital fluid loss. Use a spatula instead.
Rather than using water or milk in a specific recipe, try a different liquid to add a new flavor. When you cook vegetables you can use chicken broth or add beef instead of water. As an alternative to milk, try using thinned sour cream, yogurt, soy milk or buttermilk. A simple switch like changing a liquid in a recipe can improve the nutritional quality while giving the dish a whole new spin in taste.
Place fruit that is not quite ripe in a plastic bag with a few small holes to allow it to ripen. The plastic helps retain the gases used by ripening fruit while the holes allow fresh air to circulate across the fruit. This also helps you keep your fruit fresh longer!
Don’t use any wine in your meals that you wouldn’t drink. Because wine will have a big impact on the flavor of your food, a bad wine can result in a bad meal. Cooking wines are available.
Have Fun And Cook With Someone
If you and your significant other love cooking, then consider taking a cooking class for couples! Couples cooking classes can help you explore new cuisines, enjoy each other’s company and also learn more about working together in the kitchen. A well-kept secret is that the guys enjoy these classes as much as the ladies ” and it often leads to the fellows taking a greater role in cooking at home.
Stop guessing on the taste of your meatballs and loafs. Take your mixture of meat and seasonings and fry up a small hamburger so you can get a taste of how your meatloaf or meatballs will turn out. This way you can add more seasonings or tone them down by adding more meat.
We all need to eat so we might as well make the process of preparing food something we love. Hopefully you have found some fresh ideas in this article on improving your life in the kitchen! It can be a great way to enjoy a major part of our lives so take what you have learned here and apply it to your next meal and bon appetit!
Are you interested in learning more about coffee? Do you want to create fabulous drinks, but lack the knowledge and skill? If so, there is great news for you. There are several tips that can help you. Making a great pot of coffee at home isn’t difficult, you just need to follow a few basic rules.
To make a good coffee, always start with fresh beans. They should look kind of oily, and they should be potent. Try to avoid very dry beans, any grocery store beans, and any beans that have been exposed to air for a long time. Your best bet is to either roast beans yourself or buy them from a local roaster.
Get Yourself A Good Quality Coffee Maker
If you tend to drink a lot of coffee, you should invest in a quality coffee machine and make your own coffee at home. Go to a coffee shop only occasionally, for instance on weekends or when you go out with some friends. This should help you save a lot.
Does your coffee get stale because you cannot drink it fast enough? You should store it in an airtight container. Put your weekly dose of coffee into a smaller container and keep it in your freezer so it stays fresh. Store the rest of your coffee in a larger airtight container and open it only when you need to refill your smaller container.
To save money by buying bulk coffee without sacrificing flavor, measure out what you plan to use immediately and store it at room temperature. Coffee tastes best when it is brewed from room temperature grounds. Coffee you plan to use within the next week can go in the refrigerator, and the remaining beans or grounds should go in the freezer.
To get the best possible coffee, look for the ones that are made of 100% Arabica beans. These beans are of top quality and will give you the best taste after you are finished brewing. Furthermore, these beans preserve their freshness longer so that you can have great coffee for a very long time.
If you are living alone, or are the only one in your family who drinks coffee, consider purchasing a single-serve coffee maker. Companies such as Keurig have created coffee makers that use a coffee pod, a single serving of coffee grounds in a small container that fits inside the machine. This type of coffee maker is also useful if you like to drink a different flavor of coffee each day.
Hopefully you now understand some of the ways that professionals brew great cups and pots of coffee. Use these tips so that you can begin toto make your own coffee better. Your family and friends will thank you. They will also be amazed at your new skill.
If you have been looking at getting a new blender for your kitchen, you have probably been overwhelmed with the number available. Blenders are one of the most popular kitchen appliances and there are hundreds of models to chose from. This guide will help you narrow down your search.
What’s the difference between a blender and a food processor? Both have some similar functions although each handles different tasks. A blender is generally used for liquids. If you are making a smoothie or a malt, a blender is perfect. A food processor will handle a smoothie but is better suited for heavier tasks. If you need to chop foods, especially dense, solid foods, then a food processor is best for you. We are going to concentrate on blenders.
The 5 Best Blenders For 2019
#1. Ninja 72 Ounce Professional Blender
This outstanding blender is our #1 pick for kitchen blenders. It is a powerful unit designed to handle tough blending and chopping tasks with ease. At less than $100 (and often on sale at Amazon) this blender is a tremendous value. It’s sturdy construction means it will be in your kitchen for many years.
The first thing you notice about this blender is the large mixing jar. At 72 ounces it is larger than most and the size allows you to mix some large recipes. The plastic is heavy duty and has measurement markings that are easy to read. The whole unit has a sleek design and will look great on your countertop.
Product Features
Besides the large mixing jar the Ninja blender has a powerful 1000 watt motor. Even though you probably won’t be using this for chopping coarse, dense vegetables, the motor is strong enough to power through most food items.
The blade assembly is very interesting. It is a 6 blade package which means that the mixing is done very thoroughly and quickly. All 6 blades work together to give you a well mixed drink, soup or sauce. It’s also great for chopping ice on those wickedly hot days.
Advantages:
-There are 4 programmed settings that are very handy. These automatic programs will cover a large share of your mixing needs. There are also 4 manual settings that are easy to use.
-The plastic mixing jar goes into the dishwasher, making clean up a breeze. The blades wipe down nicely and the base is quite easy to clean.
-The motor is strong enough to handle vegetables, even very hard veggies. It can do the job of most food processors.
-A 25 page recipe book is included. This book has some fun recipes for smoothies, drinks and soups that you will want to try.
Disadvantages:
-You need to watch what speed you use to mix smoothies. The settings can be too high and you end up with froth.
-If not on sale, the $100 price tag is okay but not great.
#2 NutriBullet 12 Piece Blender
A combination juicer and blender, the NutriBullet is our #2 pick for best blender. It’s extremely price competitive and this is a 12 piece package, making it an even better deal.
We love the sleek, modern design of this blender. The base is tapered with an easy to use control pad. While the motor is smaller than the Ninja Professional, it is large enough to handle most fruits and vegetables. You receive 2 different blades with this set, as well as 2 different sized mixing cups. If you are looking for a unit to makes smoothies with, you will love the NutriBullet.
Product Features
This is a 12 piece set and includes the base, 2 blades, 3 mixing cups, a recipe book, 2 lids, 2 cup rings and a nutrition guide. The motor is 600 watts and feels strong, even when mixing veggies. The nutrition guide is a great addition for those who are looking to add vitamins and minerals into their diets. 2 cup lids are included, they turned out to be very handy. After making a large smoothie you can drink some now and refrigerate the rest.
The prices is definitely a benefit. This set up is usually under $60 and is often on sale for $49.99. Being a 12 piece set makes this a good value.
Advantages
-You are getting a 12 piece set for the price, making this a great deal. Having 3 different mixing cups is extremely useful, you can swap out cups when you are making different drinks.
-The motor and blades are well designed and do a good job of chopping, mixing and pulverizing. I never had a problem with too much froth when mixing smoothies. Too much froth means you are adding too much air into your mix.
-The design is very space age and slick. You will find that it looks very good on the counter and doesn’t take up too much space.
-The cups and lids go right into the dishwasher. The rest of the unit was very easy to clean.
Disadvantages
-All three mixing cups are small. The tall cup is 32 ounces (it holds 28 ounces of liquid) and the 2 short cups are 24 ounces (holding 18 ounces of liquid). This can require you to make a couple of batches instead of one big batch.
-The motor is only 600 watts. While this is enough to chop and pulverize fruits and most vegetables it may be too small for some of your chopping needs.
#3 Oster Pro Blender 1200
I really like this blender! I have 3 different Oster appliances in my kitchen and I am always amazed at how well built they are. My convection oven is used all the time and is still working like new. I have an Oster electric griddle that has become a staple in my kitchen and now I have this blender.
Oster has made this blender with a steel base, one of the few steel based blenders on the market. Not only does it feel more solid but it is easy to clean and won’t crack with extended heavy use. Brushed nickel feels sturdy and looks great.
With a 1200 watt motor you will be able to chop and pulverize anything quite easily. I have tried ice cubes, peanuts, beets (yes-beets!), almonds and carrots with this blender. All gave up the fight quite easily, this is a powerful piece of equipment.
Product Features
A really nice feature is the smoothie cup (included). Without having to make any additional mess you can mix your smoothie (or juice or malt) right in the cup you are going to be using. It attaches easily and, once the mixing is done, detaches. Just snap on the lid and you have a travel cup.
The powerful 1200 watt motor is a beast. You will be able to chop, mix or pulverize just about anything. This unit is able to perform most tasks that a food processor would at half the price.
Another benefit of a large motor is the number of settings available. This appliance has 7 settings and gives you great flexibility as you blend. The multiple blades do a very good job of chopping and mixing.
Advantages
-As mentioned, the 1200 watt motor is very powerful. You won’t find too many foods that can’t be blended easily with this unit.
-Multiple blades. Having multiple blades, along with a strong motor, means that your mixing will be better and your chopping will be easier.
-A large 72 ounce glass mixing jar. I like big mixing jars, you can make your drink or recipe in larger batches. The glass is heavy duty and tempered. Plus, you can toss it into the dishwasher.
-A good value. This blender is usually priced around $79.99 and will be on sale occasionally at $59.99. If you consider all of the things that this blender can do you realize that you are getting your money’s worth.
Disadvantages
-It’s noisy. One drawback to a powerful motor is going to be noise. This is one appliance that literally can wake the baby.
-Cleaning the blades can be awkward. While the glass jar comes off quickly and can be put in the dishwasher, you have to wash the blades by hand. Sometimes getting all the bits out will require some effort.
#4 Hamilton Beach Power Elite
Hamilton Beach is one of the most well respected names in kitchen appliances. This combination blender/food chopper continues in that tradition of high quality, well designed tools that work well and last a long time.
This is a great idea. It starts out as a sturdy, well built blender but it can also be used as a food chopper. By swapping out the mixing bowl and blades you can change this blender into a food processor. As Alton Brown says on The Food Network, nobody should ever have single use utensils in their kitchens. This blender and chopper suddenly becomes multi-use.
The glass mixing bowl for the blender has a 40 ounce capacity and is dishwasher safe. The bowl for the food chopper (processor) is also glass and dishwasher friendly. Both are easily removed from the base and it is a snap to swap out bowls.
Product Features
Hamilton Beach is using a 700 watt motor for this unit, which is a medium sized motor. It is large enough to power the multiple blades and is strong enough to mix most fruits and vegetables. Chopping ice (with or without water) is a snap.
There are 4 blending (programmed) buttons that give you a total of 12 settings. Generally the more settings, with a strong motor, the better your results will be. I liked the multiple setting feature and found it easy to use.
Advantages
-Having both a 40 ounce mixing jar and a 3 cup chopping bowl is a real treat. Often recipes will call for multiple ingredients and this allows you to mix and chop with the same unit but separate bowls.
-A 700 watt motor is plenty of power for mixing and blending. The blades are upturned at the ends which helps move the ingredients around and up the side of the mixing jar.
-Finally, someone paid attention to the power cord! This cord actually stores separately, is long enough and is properly wrapped. No lost cords, no frayed cords.
Disadvantages
-There are no extra blades for the chopping bowl. Heavy nuts an vegetables can be a challenge.
-While a 700 watt motor is usually sufficient, without special chopping blades it has to work harder on dense, dry veggies.
#5 KitchenAid 5 Speed Diamond Blender
Another brand known for high quality kitchen appliances is KitchenAid. While probably best known for their stand mixers, they also make an exceptional kitchen blender. And as is usually the case with KitchenAid products, there are 20 different colors available. You will be able to match any kitchen color scheme with this blender.
It may sound silly but you want a blender to blend. Some blenders try to hard to be food processors and don’t concentrate enough on basic blending. KitchenAid kept their eyes on the prize, this blender is made for blending.
The company calls it system diamond blending using the Intelli-Speed Motor. It sounds clumsy but it works like a charm. The mixing jar is designed to move the ingredients around, allowing the blades to blend, pulse or chop all of the ingredients. This helps keep everything in motion, meaning you won’t have to constantly stop the blender and scrape down the sides.
Product Features
Like most KitchenAid appliances, this blender has a die-cast steel base. The unit just feels solid. It’s heavy enough so that the blender won’t move on the counter, even when pulsing at a high speed.
There are 5 speeds to use, the settings are clearly laid out and simple to follow. There also is a slow soft food setting. This allows the blender to start mixing slowly when the jar is holding soft foods, especially fruit. The blade then speeds up, pulling the rest of the ingredients down into the mixing area.
Advantages
-It’s KitchenAid. Great products, great service. Too often we buy things based solely on price. Quality matters with these people.
-The mixing jar is BPA free plastic and goes into the dishwasher when you are finished blending. It’s shatter, scratch and stain resistant and is very sturdy.
-The blade unit sits right on the motor. There is a steel coupler to hold it in place. This gives the unit more power and it is quieter than most blenders.
Disadvantages
-No other blade options. There aren’t any heavy chopping blades. The blades included are good but nuts and dense veggies take more time.
-The mixing jar is 60 ounces. Not the smallest around, not the biggest. I would have liked a 72 ounce jar.
The Best Kitchen Blender: Buying Guide
Choosing a good blender doesn’t have to be complicated but there are a few factors to consider. Here are a few tips to follow:
It’s A Blender, Not A Food Processor
While many blenders can handle the same tasks as a food processor, most are not designed to work like a food processor. A good blender is made to mix, blend and pulse. Chopping is a nice option but doesn’t always work well with a blender.
Because you are working with a mixing jar that is taller than it is wide, you have less chopping ability. The blades are shorter, meaning they have to work harder to successfully chop dense, heavy foods.
Size Does Matter
It matters for motor size. It also matters for the size (capacity) of the mixing jar.
If the motor is too small it will have to work harder to do its job. This means it will be noisier and, in a worse case, could overheat or burn out. Any motor less than 400 watts is going to struggle.
Having a mixing jar or bowl that is too small isn’t dangerous, but it is a hassle. If you are mixing a large batch of smoothies but only have a 40 ounce jar, you may have to split the recipe and make two batches. Again, it’s a hassle, not a danger.
Glass Versus Plastic Mixing Jars And Bowls
Many people are concerned about the amount of plastic being used with food preparation. Long term studies showed that BPA in plastics can be hazardous to your health. Plastic is harder to recycle, glass is easier to reuse.
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer for the question of plastic versus glass when you are looking at blenders. From a performance point, both work well for mixing and can go into the dishwasher. Plastic can crack or stain, glass can shatter.
The health issue is more personal. BPA is not allowed in plastic any longer but you may still avoid plastic.
Attachments And Addons
A few of the blenders reviewed come with extra blades, mixing jars and lids, recipe books or other pieces. Some of the extras are very handy, I really like the lids that fit on the mixing jars of the NutriBullet. Extra blades are nice but only if they are easy to swap out.
Most of the blenders come with some sort of recipe book. Usually this is quite basic, it will have a few smoothie recipes and maybe two cold soup recipes. Their fun to look at but shouldn’t make any difference when it comes to your purchase.
Conclusion
Before you buy a blender, make sure you aren’t expecting a food processor. A good blender can be purchased for under $90 and will mix perfectly most beverages, sauces and soups. A good food processor will cost around $250.
Hopefully there have been some suggestions to help you make your decision! Be sure to let us know what you bought and if you are happy with your purchase.
Have you ever tried gazpacho? It’s surprising how many people don’t know what this epicurean delight is. A few chopped vegetables, some spices and herbs, a blender and you are ready.
While gazpacho is often associated with Italian cuisine, it’s roots are actually Spanish. Served cold, it is a soup of raw, fresh vegetables with a spicy flavor. On hot days it can be wonderfully refreshing.
There are many ways to make gazpacho and many recipes have other ingredients. One popular version has watermelon added, other versions use cream. It can be served in a bowl, in a mug or in a cocktail glass. In northern climates it is a summer treat (when fresh tomatoes are available) while Mediterranean countries feature it year round.
Equipment Needed
This is such a simple dish to prepare and there is no need for a lot of equipment to make gazpacho. All you will need is a good sized mixing bowl, your blender and a strainer. A good knife for slicing and chopping the veggies completes the equipment list.
Combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a large bowl. Stir in salt, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Place cherry tomatoes, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender. Cover and puree until smooth. Pour pureed mixture through a strainer into the tomato-cucumber mixture; stir to combine.
Place 1/3 of the tomato mixture into the blender. Cover, turn blender on, and puree until smooth. Return pureed mixture to the remaining tomato-cucumber mixture. Stir to combine. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours.
Season cold soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with basil.
Chris' Cooking Blog 