A blender is an electric appliance, the purpose of which is to grind food, prepare mashed potatoes and emulsions, whisk drinks, mousses, as well as to crack ice. This device can perform many functions, especially if it is equipped with additional nozzles and containers. How to use a blender to prepare tasty and healthy dishes? Let's find out.
Description of stationary blenders
These kitchen appliances are divided into two types: submersible and stationary. First, we describe the second.
The stationary blender is a stable base, a body with a built-in electric motor, on top of which a tall narrow bowl is installed with a lockable lid and blade blades at the bottom. The walls of the bowl are made of glass (the most durable and practical to use) or plastic. This material has the following disadvantage: the bowl may darken from high temperature, so hot products cannot be grinded in it. How to use a stationary type blender? Finely chopped products are placed in the bowl, the lid is closed, plugged into the outlet and the button is pressed. Cooking time depends on the volume and density of the edible. This blender is ideal for making milkshakes with ice cream and berries, fruit and vegetable smoothies, whipping pancake dough, crushing ice for cocktails.
Precautions for using a stationary appliance
Using this type of device, you need to follow the following rules how to use a blender:
- do not put large products in the bowl, they should be cut into small parts (so the food will be ready faster);
- do not use hot foods;
- leave some free space under the cover, at least 2 cm (so that the motor does not overheat).
If you need to cook a large dish, do not immediately put all the ingredients, it is better to add them a little, sometimes shaking a glass. So you extend the life of the device and get evenly mixed product.
Description of Hand Blenders
The second type of electrical appliance is a modified high-speed mixer, which is equipped with one blade nozzle-knife instead of corollas. It can be described as a long handle, inside which a motor is installed, and a replaceable nozzle. The simplest equipment includes a knife nozzle, while the more complete ones contain a whisk for whipping and various other nozzles, bowls (narrow and tall, like a stationary device) and even storage containers. Unlike standard ones, these devices can even chop greens, finely chop onions into cutlets, turn a small amount of meat into minced meat and even convert dried pieces of bread into breadcrumbs. And this is only with a standard nozzle. The advantage of such a device is that the volume of products for processing is not limited, the blender can be immersed both in a small cup and in a large pot, making soup puree for the whole family at a time. Bowls and containers should be selected with high walls so as not to splatter.
How to use a hand blender
Applying this type of device, you also need to follow simple rules:
- the device should not work idle, as it overheats very quickly;
- Do not grind solid products without juice or liquid, immerse in boiling water;
- solid foods need to be processed in small batches;
- if you need to grind a large volume of products, take breaks in work;
- rinse the nozzle thoroughly with water after work so that food pieces do not dry on it.
The last rule applies to all blenders, after use they need to be cleaned, the nozzle washed, and the body wiped with a damp cloth, without affecting the metal contacts. The process itself does not cause difficulties, so it’s easy to understand in practice how to use a blender.
What to cook with a blender and its nozzles
If you bought such a device yourself, then you probably already have plans for what to cook with it. But there are times when the device is presented as a gift, and you do not know what makes a blender. The main work that the device will cope with is the preparation of any puree, including soup, cocktails and drinks. Using a standard nozzle, you can cook various sauces (for example, pesto) and gravy, grind meat into minced meat, even chicken meat with skin, onions and garlic into cutlets, turn breadcrumbs into breading, grind coffee, crumble ice, prepare a paste or mix mayonnaise. With the use of a whisk, proteins can easily beat, a homogeneous dough is mixed. It happens that a blender is supplemented with a bowl with grater nozzles: this will facilitate the cutting of vegetables for cooking soups, meatballs, and the beautiful design of ready-made dishes.
Blender is a great helper for young mothers
If you still doubt whether you need such a device, do not purchase it. But if you are a young mother, then you cannot do without him. When the moment comes for the introduction of complementary foods to the baby, the blender will become an indispensable tool. You can grind very small portions so that each time your baby enjoys freshly prepared foods. A blender will grind boiled vegetables, fruits, meat with a small amount of broth for it - you decide how to pamper the growing body. And if the baby already asks you to taste your food, but can’t chew yet, just chop him a little of your soup or the second dish. Young people quickly figure out how to use a blender.
And a couple of tips for choosing a device:
- When buying a blender, pay attention to the material from which small parts are made. Knives are best used metal, stainless steel or aluminum oxide. Do not save on your health and durability of the device: plastic nozzles break quickly.
- Inspect your kitchen and select the place where the appliance will be installed (if it is a stationary blender). Many kitchens have very little work space, so you should buy a device that performs as many functions as possible and replaces several appliances. Also pay attention to the design and color in harmony with the kitchen finish.
- Based on the number of people in the family: a large family will require a high-power device with a large bowl.
Devices of different manufacturers differ little from each other in terms of application, therefore the instruction on how to use the Philips blender is similar to any other (Bosch, Brown, Scarlet, Mulinex, Vitek, Polaris etc.).