39 replies to this topic

[Chris Hennes]

One push of the smoothie button to process it?

[thayes1c]

Made some creamy horseradish in my Vitamix for a BBQ today. Just horseradish from the garden, enough white vinegar to keep it all moving and a bit of salt. No tears until I stuck my head over the pitcher, and a lot less than when I made it in the Cuisinart.

[HowardLi]

Standard old fashioned, not quick.

Steel-cut?

If you have a powerful blender, they're a great way to add calories to a protein shake.

[mgaretz]

I'm getting geared up to try "ice cream" (most of which will be non-dairy) using my sous vide supreme and the Blendtec to pre-process the ingredients before the water bath. Been a while since I played with my ice cream attachment for the Kitchenaid so I wanted to try something simpler to get back into the swing of things. I took the very simple route and took a can of cherry pie filling and puréd it in the Blendtec. The only thing I added was a tsp of almond extract. Then chilled it right in the container for 3 hours. Then poured into the ice cream attachment and ran it for 20 minutes. I only ate a little but it was good - I think it will be better tomorrow after a day in the freezer. (One can was not enough to reach the middle paddles, so I also think it would be better with more volume.) I figured the cherry pie filling had enough sugar, starch and gums to make a decent sorbet that won't be too icy, but we'll see.

[Chris Amirault]

One push of the smoothie button to process it?

Yup.

Standard old fashioned, not quick.

Steel-cut?

I've used basically every kind to good effect, but we've settled on the cheap old fashioned oats from the bulk bins.

BTW, I left 1-2 T honey off the ingredient list, which others in the family prefer.

[slkinsey]

I use a dedicated whirly-blade coffee grinder for spices. Spices will definitely cloud the canister.

[mgaretz]

An update on the cherry pie filling sorbet. It came out fine. After two days in the freezer it has the scoopability of store-bought. Tastes great, like frozen cherry pie but not quite as sweet because of the coldness, which is not a bad thing.

I think my next experiment will be to freeze about 2/3 of a can into cubes, put them back in the blendtec with the unfrozen 1/3 and process it all for instant sorbet, skipping the ice cram maker.

[ScottyBoy]

Despite having a lot of fun gadgets in my kitchen I have somehow not invested in a high end blender yet. Those were the days in restaurant kitchens with a bullet proof blender. It's next on my list.

Chris, you had mentioned a discount at BB&B. I'm always on a quest to find a discount for preferably a Vita Mix. Anyone have a lead on any sort of discount anywhere?

[thayes1c]

I got a refurbished Vitamix from the company website. Comes with a 5 year warranty for just over $300. Haven't regretted it for a second.

[ScottyBoy]

OoooOOhh, thanks much!