5 Things To Make In A Blender -- Beyond Smoothies

Your blender is a versatile tool that can do far more than just make smoothies and shakes. Chef and food writer Matt Degen shares five other recipes you could and should be blending up.
Also see:
Homemade salsa recipe: • Homemade salsa recipe ...
Homemade gazpacho recipe: • The Easiest Gazpacho R...
Homemade hummus recipe: • Homemade hummus recipe...
Homemade mayo recipe: • Homemade Mayo in a Vin...

[@L.Spencer]

salsa not saaawlza, you're in San Diego right? :) I've made a pie crust, for a galette, in a blender. There's a great, short youtube video on how to do that.

[@IWantToCook]

I might have gotten a bit carried away in my emphasis on that one, lol.

[@L.Spencer]

hey, I'm from San Diego but people here tell me I have an accent, maybe from learning Spanish and living in Mexico, who knows why we say things like we do, but I love to try to figure it out

[@blanca3543]

I once had a big blender, then got an immersion blender when I lived overseas (which seemed to be more popular there). Now back home, I have just an immersion blender. I've thought about getting a big blender again, but just haven't so far. I make fruit smoothies everyday. Sometimes I make salsa and hummus, and occasionally puree a soup in the pot (like pumpkin or butternut squash soup). I've never made gazpacho or mayo, though. That will be fun to try! Thanks for sharing the video links for everything. It seems to me that blending is a good way to have healthy snacks and meals!

[@IWantToCook]

Those are great, not to mention a significant space saver. I love ‘em for puréing soups in the pot.

[@heatherdoes7849]

Vitamin are worth every penny! Definitely get one.

[@KissyKat]

Another great video! We get blenders, use them for one or two things only, the rest of the time they just sit there. It's great to be shown just how multifunctional they are 😁👍 I currently have a NutriBullet, and if I had the funds I would definitely get a Vitamix. But I think I could afford a blendtec and that looks like a pretty good blender too.

[@IWantToCook]

Thank you much! Happy blending :)

[@jimschulz1140]

I use my vintage blender to make blender Hollandaise sauce… always turns out awesome! I don’t do it quite as often now that butter and egg prices are higher

[@IWantToCook]

That's a great use for one of these -- and delicious, too. Cheers!

[@margaretmccray3017]

I always wanted to know how to make hummus at home. I love hummus I buy from grocery store however I need to make myself since food prices are going up. Thank you

[@IWantToCook]

Glad to help! I made hummus again in a blender just the other night, and it can be so much better (and cheaper!) than store-bought. Thanks for watching and happy blending :)

[@wrecklisseve]

My blender just sat on my counter for years. Now I'm really trying to use it more. I''m getting into blended soups -- hot and cold. Gazpacho is great, especially in the summer. For my other soups, I like to pick a vegetable color and add different veggies in that color family along with some veggie or chicken broth and seasoning. I made a leek, potato, and cauliflower soup, which was good hot or cold. I also made a green pea, asparagus, and broccoli soup. I'm going to try a squash soup next, with added carrot and sweet potato. I have made some nut butters in my food processor (I find it easier to scoop out than the blender). Sunflower butter was very cost effective, since sunflower seeds are relatively cheap and commercial sunflower butter costs about the same as other nut butters. I did need to add some extra oil to the sunflower butter and let it mix for quite a long time. Macadamia nut butter was expensive but oh, so good and I can't even find it commercially.

[@IWantToCook]

OMG, every single thing you mentioned sounds delicious. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@wrecklisseve]

@@IWantToCook Thank you!

[@mousepudding]

Have two blenders, the Nutribullet for smoothies and shakes and Vitamix for everything else. Highly recommend the Vitamix; it is a workhorse. Maybe you can thrift one? Oh and practice your Spanish, Chef Matt. 😉

[@IWantToCook]

Good to know about the Vitamix. And always working on my Spanglish, lol.

[@2allanator]

Vitamix Blenders are the best way to go, but they are pricey. With that said, you'll never need another blender. I bought mine at Costco 18 years ago and have never had an issue with it

[@IWantToCook]

Thank you, and I appreciate the testimonial. After making that video I purchased a Vitamix from Amazon that was on sale. And wow, is it amazing. Hands down the best blender I’ve ever used. Of course it makes the world’s best smoothies, but I’ve also used it so far to make rice milk and pulverize oats for baking. What an incredible machine. Also, the color is red, which everything taste better, lol.