In order for everyday housework to bring minimum hassle and give maximum pleasure, there is a whole army of electrical and mechanical assistants. One of these devices, designed to perform a number of tasks in the kitchen, is a blender. But not all housewives use it. There are several explanations for this fact. Firstly, not everyone has it. Secondly, elementary laziness (to get, collect, then wash). And thirdly, no matter how regrettable it sounds, many simply don’t know what a blender is for. So that the question does not remain rhetorical, it is worth a little understanding.
Types of Blenders
Globally, these kitchen helpers can be divided into 2 categories: stationary and submersible. The first are a jug (it can be of different sizes and shapes), which is placed on a support, which serves as a stand, and a motor, and a knife at the same time. A hand blender is a portable device in the form of a knife or several nozzles attached to a handle. It is included in the power grid and hides the engine inside.
Regardless of the type, blenders vary in power and number of nozzles. True, a stationary one with a sufficient number of additional functions is more often called a food processor. A portable blender can serve as a mixer, prepare dough and make mayonnaise. The stationary one basically crushes, whips and mixes (does what the blender is needed for initially).
Main functions
If we consider the simplest option without additional nozzles, then there are only 3 tasks for this device: grind, beat, mix. Undoubtedly, the question may arise about why a blender is needed if there is a meat grinder and mixer. With their help, you can grind products or beat into a homogeneous mass. And mixing and manually is not bad.
Of course, the question of whether a blender is needed in the kitchen, each housewife must decide on their own. But not a single hand-made cocktail will turn out so uniform and tasty. Especially if among the ingredients there are solid components (ice, fruit or berries). A meat grinder is a good and necessary thing, but puree in it will never work. And not a single mixer in the world will make the curd for a royal cheesecake or pouring for an open pie so uniform.
What is a blender for?
Submersible, as a rule, is used to make mashed soup, grind vegetables or meat for baby food or make mayonnaise. Nozzles for kneading dough, making cream for cake can also be attached to it. Some manufacturers even equip it with a kind of small stationary jug in which products are easily and conveniently crushed.
If you need to make a batter (for example, for pancakes), it will take literally 2 minutes. Of course, with a stationary blender. All products (milk, flour, salt, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil) are simply sent to the jug and turned on the engine for a couple of minutes. And that’s all. To achieve this uniformity manually, you will have to beat it for at least 15 minutes.
Similarly, you can make fruit purees and milkshakes. That's why you really need a blender. Naturally, then you have to wash both the jug and the knife. But in order to facilitate this work, there are other kitchen helpers who should also not be ignored.
Children food
Parents of the 70s, 80s and even 90s of the last century perfectly remember what it cost them to prepare the first food for their babies. Both vegetables, and meat, and soup had to be cooked first, carefully choosing only the best products. And then manually all this was rubbed through a metal sieve. And all just in order to treat your child with a teaspoon of mashed potatoes. The apples were rubbed on a fine grater, damaging their fingers and nails. But in the end, they ate most of the mass themselves (not to lose good). Some dared to buy ready-made mashed potatoes, although who knows what they actually put there. And all because they did not know how to use a blender. More precisely, then, by and large, there were none.
In fact, everything is extremely simple: you need to cook the products, slightly salt, and then grind with a blender. It takes literally a minute - and the mashed potatoes are ready, at least meat, at least vegetable or fruit. By the way, porridge can also be chopped in the finished form.
How to choose a blender?
First of all, you should look at the power of the electric motor. After all, the performance of the device, and therefore the speed of its operation, depends on this characteristic.
Undoubtedly, the manufacturer is also of no small importance. But to buy a 300-watt blender of the world leader in kitchen appliances instead of a kilowatt from the category “know name” for the same money is most likely not worth it. The warranty period for them is likely to be identical, and they can be made at the same factory.
What kind of device to choose? The answer to this question depends on what the blender is for. More precisely, for what purposes it is acquired. If with its help it is planned to prepare baby mixes and mashed soups, it is better to take submersible. And for pancakes, casseroles and cocktails - stationary.
As for the additional nozzles, they can be safely sacrificed. As practice shows, most housewives do not even take them out of the box (with the exception of a whisk for mayonnaise). In the worst case, they can always be purchased additionally by ordering on the manufacturer’s website or through a service center.
Broccoli Puree Soup
This very tender creamy dish is not only tasty, but also healthy. A recipe for its preparation allows you to understand why you need a hand blender. For a large head of broccoli, you will need a glass of not very fat cream, 2 onions, a clove of garlic, 750 ml of milk or broth. You still need cheese (100 gr.), It is ideal with blue mold, but ordinary Dutch, a little salt and butter, greens will also work.
A pot with a thick bottom put on fire. Melt the butter, fry the peeled and chopped onions, as well as chopped garlic. Vegetables should become soft. There they send broccoli, sorted into inflorescences, milk or broth, and then cook for about 20 minutes. At the end, add salt, cream and cheese to the soup, boil for another 10 minutes, remove from heat and, having cooled a little, beat with a blender. Serve with slices of fresh bread, garnished with greens.
Banana coctail
This is a simple recipe for those who are still discussing the topic of "why do I need a blender." A cocktail can easily act as a breakfast or a light dinner. To prepare it, you will need a glass of non-fat kefir, half a ripe banana, a spoon of honey and a couple of cookies.
A
blender is better to take a stationary. Put all the ingredients in it, whip - and the cocktail is ready, you can pour it into glasses.
How to care for a blender?
All household appliances, including kitchen appliances, should be kept clean. This also applies to the blender. Regardless of the type, manufacturer or other parameters, it should be washed after each use. And then it is advisable to put it in a box or a specially designated box.
Before you grind products or mash, you need to make sure that the components have cooled to at least 80-70 degrees. From boiling water, plastic parts may deteriorate. And one more thing: do not grind dry products without adding liquids. This is especially true for soups and sauces.
Undoubtedly, you can do without a blender and mixer, microwave and meat grinder, dishwasher and many other devices. But with them it is more comfortable, more pleasant, and faster.