Contents
Guide
Photographs
Maren Caruso
COOKBOOK
THE
perfect
blending
Contents
Welcome to Power Blending
The Vitamix
Professional Series
TM
blender is a powerful kitchen appliance
that will change the way you cook and prepare food. The engine makes
the blades turn so fast that they can process foods in an instant. We use
it in the Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen to blend everything from piping
hot soups to freezing cold milk shakes. This blender crushes ice and
blends ingredients into creamy, smooth concoctions in under 1 minute
and also warms liquids like sauces and soups through friction when left
on for 5 minutes or longer.
Discover how easy it is to prepare salad dressings, smoothies, soups,
sauces, marinades, and more in the Vitamix blender. Use this amazing
appliance to instantly pure just about anything into a smooth texture
and to mince, chop, crush, and shred ingredients. You can make everything
from fresh pico de gallo and fruit chutney to apple muffin batter and
graham cracker crusts.
On the pages that follow, youll find a primer on how to use the Vitamix
blender to prepare a variety of recipes using an array of ingredients. More
than 30 recipes are featured, from breakfast to dinner, snacks to dessert.
Try Crepes with Mixed Berry Compote & Whipped Cream () for
a celebratory brunch; fresh Tossed Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
() for a light lunch with friends; the comforting Vegetable Lasagne
with Roasted Tomato Sauce () for a family-friendly meal; or rich
Bittersweet Chocolate Pudding () for a decadent dessert.
Any way you blend it, youre sure to make the most out of your Vitamix
blender with this companion cookbook.
Power Blender Primer
Getting to know your Vitamix
Professional Series
blender
will enable you to take full advantage of all that it can do, from
blending and chopping to pureing and warming soups.
Place your blender on a stable work surface, then plug
the unit into a wall outlet.
The control panel varies slightly from machine to machine,
but all of them have a power switch and speed controls.
Professional Series models also feature a variable
speed-control dial and some have a pulse switch, and
preprogrammed settings.
The capacity of the blender container can vary depending
on the model. Measurements are marked on the outside
of the container in cups, ounces, and milliliters.
The standard blender container is the wet blade container,
which pulls food down to blend it smoothly.
An optional secondary container, the dry blade container,
is ideal for grinding flours, grains, and coffee and for kneading
dough. It is designed to force food up into the container
to ensure it doesnt clump. (The dry blade container is not
standard with the Vitamix
Professional Series
blender
and can be purchased separately.)
Your blender is designed to work continuously, so you
dont need to stop and scrape down the sides as with
other blenders or food processors.
The blender comes with a sturdy tamper, which allows you to
push ingredients towards the blender blades and prevent air
pockets from forminghandy when blending thick mixtures.
The tamper is designed to be used with the lid in place and
will not hit the blade, as long as you use the tamper that
comes with your specific machine.
Powerful engine
housed in the base
Control panel
includes speed-control dial
and pulse switch
Container
includes the
blade assembly
Lid
with a removable plug
Tamper
allows you
to push food
toward the
blades
Power Blender Tips
&
Tricks
Preparing a variety of recipes in the Vitamix
Professional Series
blender is a snap. These tips for using and caring for your appliance
will help you maximize your blending experience.
Cutting up
&
peeling ingredients
For fruits and vegetables that will be pured, cut them into 2- or 3-inch chunks
before placing in the blender. In general, cut long vegetables like carrots, celery,
cucumbers, and green onions into thirds. If the food has a tender skin, you dont
have to peel it; the blender pures so well that you wont know the peel is there,
but you will get the extra nutrition and fiber from the skin.
Pureing ingredients to a smooth consistency
Add the ingredients to the blender container and start at speed 1, then gradually
increase to the machines highest speed. For frozen desserts, run for 45 seconds;
for smoothies, run for 4560 seconds; and for general pureing, run for 1 minute.
Pulsing
Use this method when you want a partially smooth consistency with some texture
remaining. Select the desired speed and then turn the machine on and off using
the pulse switch, repeating until the desired consistency is reached.
Dry chopping
Use this method with nuts, cheese, or firm vegetables, such as carrots, when they will
be incorporated into a dish. With the blades running on a low speed, drop pieces
of the ingredient into the container. This will take only a few seconds and the results
will vary in size and shape. For a more precise chop, use the wet chop method.
Wet chopping
Use this method for slicing or shredding vegetables and anytime you need
a uniform chop. Put large pieces of the food in the blender container and add
enough water so that the food floats above the blades (this helps pull the food
down into the blades for a consistent cut). Pulse just until the food is shredded;
it will happen very quickly. Drain well and use as directed.
Heating soups
Add the ingredients to the blender container and start at speed 1, then gradually
increase to the machines highest speed and run for 56 minutes.
Cleanup
A blender is so easy to cleanit actually cleans itself! Just fill the container half
full with warm water and add 1 or 2 drops of dish soap. Put the lid, including the
plug, in place tightly. Start at speed 1, then gradually increase to the machines
highest speed and run for 3060 seconds. Rinse the container, and you are done.
Do not put the container or the lid in the dishwasher, which could damage them.
When you are done
Always set the speed dial back to 1 after blending. That way, the machine
will be at the right speed the next time you start it.
What can be
power blended?
A wide range of
foodsfrom savory to
sweet, frozen to hot
can be prepared
in the Power Blender:
smoothies
dips
frozen desserts
coleslaws
blended drinks
chutneys & compotes
sauces & salsas
dressings & marinades
soups
batters & doughs
savory & sweet crusts
egg dishes
Preheat the oven to 375F. Make the streusel and honey
