Whipping yourself a banana smoothie for breakfast is a perfect way to kick-start your day. Smoothies are super easy to make and have many nutrients that you can easily gulp down while rushing to college or work. It is an effortless breakfast that also has a lot of nutritional value. In addition, there are tons of smoothie recipes that you can blend, allowing you to sneak in a few not-so-yummy veggies, such as a strawberry and spinach smoothie. They are also ideal for kids who hate their veggies and give you the perfect way to put your blender to the best use.
However, that blender sneakily sitting in the corner of your kitchen counter is capable of doing so much more than just creating smoothies. Often most people put their blenders to quite a restrictive use and concoct only smoothies with blenders. They are not aware of the potential a kitchen blender has and the numerous different recipes you can make with the help of a blender. If you ask us, we will say you can create an entire healthy diet with a blender at your disposal.
So keeping this in mind, here we list down six yummy and easy recipes other than smoothies that you can use to keep your blender whirring all day long.
1. A Healthy Dessert; Avocado And Chocolate Pudding:
Often people believe that eating healthy and having desserts can never be synonymous. However, this belief is sheer hocus-pocus. Several dessert recipes are actually beneficial for you rather than being bad for your health. And one of these is an avocado and chocolate pudding. It is yummy, will fulfill your dessert craving while nourishing you, and is easy to make.
But first, you will need:
- 2 perfectly ripe avocados
- ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A dash of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
The recipe:
Put in all the ingredients in your trusted blender. Please give it a thorough blend until all ingredients are mixed well. If you feel your pudding does not seem the right consistency, you can add in a little more milk. Once the mixture is formed, take it out in an airtight container. Now place this in the refrigerator for a few hours. Once the pudding sets well, you can take it out and eat. Enjoy your super easy and yummy chocolate and avocado pudding.
2. Wholesome Tomato Carrot Soup:
There are probably as many varieties of soups in this world as the amount of hair on our heads. They are healthful, serve as a great appetizer, and are often simple to make. But when we talk about these blender soups, they are definitely effortless. There is no cooking involved, and all you need is a high-speed blender and some fresh veggies. So without further ado, let us get to it.
Here is what you will need:
- 1 to 2 plum tomatoes
- 1 carrot
- 2 stalks of celery
- 1 clove of crushed garlic
- A small chunk of red onion
- Some spices of your choice – think: Italian seasoning, dill, oregano, basil, salt, or pepper
- 1 and ½ cup of hot water
The recipe:
Cut up your veggies in small chunks and toss them in the blender. Now add the crushed garlic, a chunk of onion, the spices of your choice, and give it a good blend. Gradually add the hot water to reach the consistency as per your liking. The hot water will give your soup a nice, warm feel. Serve the soup as a delicious appetizer or devour it as a healthy evening snack.
3. Make Some Mayonnaise:
Even though mayo is not something you will eat on its own, it is still a staple food item in every household. Unfortunately, we are often so used to purchasing such items off the rack from a store that we never think of creating them at home.
However, mayonnaise is one such item that is very easy to make and turns out exactly like the one you may buy from a supermarket. Moreover, the ingredients you need to make mayonnaise at home are only a few. And there is the added advantage of being sure of the nutritional values of everything you add, which means no extra preservatives and harmful things. Also, keep in mind the money you will save if your family is fond of eating mayonnaise a lot.
Now let us get to the recipe. You will need:
- 2 large egg yolks
- Salt and crushed black pepper
- 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- And, of course, a happily running blender
The recipe:
First, you need to place the egg yolks in the blender. If you are worried about consuming raw eggs, then you can use pasteurized eggs. Now, add in the lemon juice/vinegar and the mustard. Blend these ingredients well. Now while the blender is whirling, gradually add the vegetable oil in a steady and slow stream. You will now see the mixture thickening and emulsifying. Season this mixture with salt and pepper, and your homemade mayo is ready. You can store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
4. Homemade Nut Butters, Anyone?
We have all heard how nut butter is loaded with good fats and is super healthy to consume. But do we also know that nut butter is extremely easy to make at home? So, if your child loves peanut butter, like us, then you might as well put that blender to good use and whip up some nutritious nut butter at home.
Here is what you will need:
- 2 cups plain nuts of your choice
- Salt
- A buzzin’ blender
The recipe:
You might be looking at the ingredients and scratching your head, concerned about missing out on something. But let us assure you, we are not. That is all you need to make some creamy nut butter at home. First up, decide on the nuts you will use. We advise you to combine a few different nuts to make it healthier and full of flavor. A yummy combination we suggest is almonds, cashews, and walnuts.
Next, you will have to roast the nuts on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes at 325 degrees. Roasting the nuts will help them blend better, and also, the heat helps bring out the flavor more. The next step is to take your buzzin’ blender and blend the roasted nuts. It should take about 5 to 10 minutes for the nuts to turn into a creamy paste. Now add a dash of salt to enhance the flavor of your butter, and you are done Voila. You can now enjoy your creamy homemade nut butter.
5. Yummy, Yummy Hummus:
Hummus is a savory Middle Eastern dip or spread – whichever way you want to eat it – made from cooked chickpeas. It is a super healthy snack and tastes yum when paired with toasted pita bread. And the best part is it is very easy to make at home, requires only a few ingredients, and tastes so much better than the ones you buy from the store.
So, without further ado, here is what you will need:
- 3 cups boiled chickpeas
- 1/3 cup Tahini paste
- 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 lemon
- Salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garnishes of your choice
The recipe:
If you plan to make the hummus from scratch, you will have to boil some chickpeas beforehand. You can get canned chickpeas, too; however, if you want your hummus to be extra creamy and fluffy, then it is best to boil them at home. It would be best if you gave the chickpeas a good soak overnight and then boil them with a pinch of baking soda. You want them to be well-cooked to blend smoothly for the hummus. If you are using canned chickpeas, it is best to cook them a little more at home to make them extra soft.
Next, remove the skin from the chickpeas. This step is essential if you want extra velvety hummus. But if you do not have the time, you might as well skip this step. However, your hummus will turn out slightly grainy. Now put your chickpeas in a blender and start mixing. While your blender is running, add in the tahini sauce, salt, and lemon juice. Keep blending for about 5 minutes or until you see the right consistency. Once blended, dish out the hummus and drizzle olive oil generously. You can also sprinkle a little sumac powder. Now dig in with pita bread or your favorite veggie sticks.
6. Oh-So-Divine Coconut Truffle Balls:
Did you know that consuming coconut is actually good for your heart health? It helps improve cholesterol levels and aids in reducing unnecessary belly fat. While you can eat coconut as it is since it tastes super good, you can also make some yummy truffle balls that taste yummier. They are an ideal snack for your kids if you wish to give them a calorie boost while also being healthy. In addition, they can prove to be a yummy dessert for your post-dinner yearnings.
Here is what you will need:
- 250 grams of any plain biscuits
- 400 grams of condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup of coconut
- Do not forget your trusted blender
The recipe:
Put the biscuits in the blender and finely crush them. Make sure there are no big chunks left. Now transfer the crushed biscuits to a bowl and mix in the cocoa powder. Gradually add in the condensed milk and mix to form a sticky batter. Now use this batter to make small balls. On the side, spread the coconut on a plate and then, one by one, roll the balls in the coconut. Line these balls in a tray and put them in the refrigerator to set for a few hours. Finally, your coconut truffle balls are ready to serve.
Conclusion:
Kitchen gadgets are commonly multi-purpose. You can utilize them for several different roles. Likewise, a blender is not only a device made for blending smoothies. You can make several recipes other than smoothies like the ones we mentioned above. These recipes are straightforward and painless. You can create some tasty appetizers, snacks, desserts, etc., using just a blender. So, what are you waiting for? Take that blender out and get blendin’.