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Here comes the soup.
(Credit: Irawoods.com)This time of year, there's a lot of cooking going on. While roasts, turkeys, hams, and side dishes galore mean lots of food on the table, they also mean there will be lots of leftovers in the refrigerator. When faced with a well-picked-over turkey or ham, one final dish comes to mind: soup. By using the leftover protein to make a stock or broth, a flavorful base is created that can be taken in any direction. However, to get that smooth consistency to which you can later add veggies, meat, or noodles, first you are going to need to puree it.
This Viking Hand Blender (VHB300SG) features a powerful 300-watt motor that makes it easy to create soup from all your leftovers. With the ability to blend directly in the cooking vessel, there is no need to work in batches using a blender of food processor. The ergonomic design incorporates a no-slip handle, assuring a firm grip as you blend your soup to preferred consistency.
While soup-making may be its highlight, the blender features attachments allowing it to be used for other tasks. A chopper attachment makes quick work of fruits and vegetables (perfect for adding to soup). Additionally, a stainless-steel whisking attachment is also available--just in case you get tired of all that soup.
Blending by pictures.
(Credit: Amazon)I remember the blender my mom used from the time when I was young. Not only was it surprisingly loud for something that seemed to have only one moving part, but it also sure had a lot of buttons for that one little blade. They were push-style buttons, lined up neatly in a row. The 10 or so settings all had esoteric meanings, certainly for a young kid who couldn't fathom why one spinning sharp thing needed so many options. While I am still not sure about Grate as a blender function, I have come to terms with others like Frappe, and to some extent, Liquefy.
The DeLonghi DBL650 54-Ounce Blender uses symbols to get its point across. The stainless-steel blender with 54-ounce jar features five function settings enabled via symbolic pictures on the front. Included are settings for dips, soups, sauces, and beverages. Naturally, the all-important ice-crushing function is present and accounted for, easily identifiable as a single snowflake.
The blender features some nice modern touches in addition to the iconography. The sturdy housing and control layout signify a no-nonsense approach and impress a workhorse quality. The blender features a built-in strainer or filter, a well-thought-out inclusion that eliminates the need to root around the kitchen for an accessory. And as far as blending options go, don't worry if what you need isn't represented by what is on the buttons; the blender features three speeds and a pulse setting for all your blending needs.
With the BAM! Machine from Emeril Lagasse, you can clean off your counters. This 3-in-1 food processor chops, blends, makes dough, emulsifies, juices, and takes care of a half dozen other tasks that you would otherwise need individual gadgets for. Using the food processor is just a matter of switching out blades and discs, and occasionally swapping the blender jar for the bowl. The base of the machine even includes a drawer for storing all those blades and discs, so they don't get lost in your kitchen.
The BAM! Machine is easy to take apart, as well as to clean. The base of the machine is the only part that isn't safe to run through the dishwasher. The base offers a two-speed control, as well as a pulse option. Both the food processor bowl and the blender jar offer more capacity than many other appliances: the food processor can hold up to 12 cups, and the blender can manage 40 ounces. The BAM! Machine also comes with a spatula to make scraping out the food processor after tasks like mixing up a batch of dough a lot easier. It also comes with several of Emeril's recipes. The BAM! Machine is priced at $149.95.
Right where you need it.
(Credit: Cooking.com)Kitchen appliances rarely come ready to do your culinary bidding straight out of the box. Usually, some form of accessory or additional gadget is needed (and manufacturers are more than happy to supply you with). Usually the worst that happens in any well-stocked kitchen is a quick search through drawers and cabinets for an elusive tool, but sometimes, that much-needed tool goes unfound. This can result in a muttering chef wandering about the kitchen wondering why the manufacturer just didn't include such-and-such right on the machine. And then, sometimes, the manufacturers do.
The Emerilware Blender with Mixing Funnel from T-Fal integrates a useful funnel directly onto the blender. While not every use requires a funnel for blending, when it is needed it comes in handy. Just ask anyone who has tried to keep boiling water from splattering everywhere as they aim for the hole on top of the lid; sometimes a little help goes a long way.
Even if your aim is always true with blender-related mixes, the funnel doubling as a measuring cup is sure to be useful. As far as blending goes, the 500-watt blender houses a seven-speed motor and has a 50-ounce capacity, which are more of the type of things to expect from a blender. One that also helps to keep olive oil and other pourable ingredients off the floor just completes the package.
The Euro-Pro Ninja Master Prep is like having a blender, a food processor, and a drink maker all in one set. By attaching it to its accompanying 48-ounce pitcher, you can blend up a batch of milkshakes, smoothies or margaritas--it uses a QuadBlade system that even makes it easy to make snow cones in the pitcher. The Ninja Master Prep also comes with a two-cup container, which is just the right size for whipping up a quick batch of salsa. The set also includes a storage lid that makes it easy to stick leftover appetizers and drinks in the refrigerator without worry. You don't have to limit yourself to salsa, of course--it works ideally for chopping up ingredients for other dishes, like the vegetables necessary for a hearty pot of soup.
The Ninja Master Prep has built-in antispill features and was designed to be safe even for children to use. It requires just one touch to blend, chop, or process food. The pitcher and cup are both dishwasher-safe, and the interchangeable pulser can be wiped clean. You can even move the pulser between the pitcher and the cup without spilling a drop. The Ninja Mater Prep is priced at $49.99.
Built to work.
(Credit: Chef's Catalog)At some point for every kitchen gadget fan, it comes time to put away the kiddie tools. As we outfit our kitchens over time, we graduate from poorly made novelty devices to more usable constructs of higher quality. But then, sometimes these examples can fail us (or at least not provide us with all the power we need). While it might be nice to opt for the shiny ice cream milkshake blender, eventually the home chef needs to sacrifice nostalgia for quality.
The KitchenAid Pro Line Chef's Blender is a powerful machine designed to withstand everyday use. Featuring a motor that can operate at a peak power of one horsepower, this 48-ounce capacity blender is capable of working overtime. Perfect for entertaining, the blender whips up frozen drinks in as little as 20 seconds. More importantly, this bar blender is designed for repeat performances, providing strong-quality blending for your guests as long as the party is going.
But this blender isn't just designed for the rigors of bar use. In the kitchen, the commercial-grade polycarbonate pitcher stands up to everyday use, while the jar collar, blade, and seals are built right in for watertight, durable performance. A heavy-duty toggle switch controls the three-speed blender and adds the option to pulse on the fly. From air flow design that keeps the blender cool during repeated use, to an electronic sensor that adjusts power depending on the thickness of the ingredients, the features on this blender provide all the usability you need--and yes, it makes milkshakes, too.
Bright, colorful and handy.
(Credit: Sur La Table)It is said that we eat with our eyes first. There can be no doubt that when a dish is brought to the table, we drink in its aroma and visual appeal first, but when we dig in, no matter how great it looks, it better taste good. Since texture is key in so many dishes, it's no wonder chefs often use immersion blenders when faced with the need to blend. Other than the fact that they work quickly and efficiently with pots and pans, they also offer precise control in that one can see exactly what they are doing--and when enough blending is enough.
For home use, immersion blenders are not only convenient, but they also offer home cooks the same visual control over their dishes. The Cuisinart SmartStick Immersion Blenders brighten up the home kitchen and expand its practicality. Available in red, green, blue, or yellow, the 200-watt handheld blender features one-touch continuous or pulse control. With a 14-inch height, the blender is perfect for working directly in the pot whenever making soups, stews, gravies or sauces. The removable blending shaft is dishwasher-safe, making this handy kitchen appliance one that you will always want to reach for.
Not quite modern, not quite retro.
(Credit: Bed Bath and Beyond)Blenders are like toasters in that they are icons of the kitchen. As such, they enjoy a wide range of options and designs not normally reserved for simple appliances. However, a quick search reveals that--like toasters--when choosing a model design, options abound. As a result, both appliances share an interesting fate in the eyes of the consumer: the appliance needs to not only pass as a quality machine, but also make us feel as if the design transports us somewhere or to a different time. That's not to say we don't shop for other appliances based on the way they fit into our kitchen decor, but I don't recall seeing too many vintage-inspired designs for other products.
The Oster 8-Speed Blender is a blend in and of itself. Featuring a modern design reminiscent of classic beehive styling, the blender bridges the gap between past and present. The all-metal drive system ensures performance, while the eight different speed settings allow for a good range of control. The 40-ounce capacity glass jar is dishwasher-safe, while the entire assembly stands 14 inches tall. The blender, being a 450-watt machine, isn't the most powerful blender available, but at a price point of around $40, the trade-off may be worth it. Especially if you like the way it looks in your kitchen.
Easy soup-making.
(Credit: Cuisinart)Whoever came up with the advertising slogan, "Soup is good food" was spot on. Soup is good food. And good for you, too, especially when you make it yourself. Cuisinart is set to introduce (sorry U.S., looks like just U.K. for now) the Cuisinart Soup Maker in September 2009. The name may be uncomplicated and accurately reflect the simple nature of soup, but this blender-meets-heater is all business.
The soup maker is designed to help you create delicious homemade soups from start to finish. Even the ability to lightly saute aromatics is integrated. For example, you could start by softening some onions and garlic on the nonstick heater plate, and then add ingredients to blend. Four blending speeds and a pulse function are available to allow you to achieve the desired consistency. All the while, an integrated heater lets you choose from a high, medium, or low settings, cooking the soup directly in the blender. A timer function keeps track of cooking time for you, truly making this all-in-one device a convenient option for soup aficionados.
One of the biggest benefits of soup is its high comfort factor. Nothing beats a bowl of warm soup. Nothing, that is, except a bowl of warm homemade soup. With a combination appliance such as this soup maker, the comfort level is pushed even further as it reduces the time spent cooking, giving you more time to relax.
(Via Appliancist)
Chilled and ready to go.
(Credit: Hamilton Beach)Nothing beats a cool drink on a hot day. As summer heats up, we all consume a ton of drinks. As we spend more time outside enjoying the sun, it might be nice to mix it up once in a while with a nice blended drink. While most blenders aren't very portable, there is at least one that is designed to let you take the fun with you.
The Hamilton Beach Thermal Cooler Blender combines a blender and a thermos into one convenient unit. Featuring the capability to blend drinks right in the cooler, the appliance makes it easy to create your drinks and then head out the door. The cooler keeps drinks chilled for up to eight hours and is perfect for taking to summer hot spots like the beach or the park. Available in either red or blue, the unit also comes with a traditional blender jar.
Whether you're blending drinks for home or on the go, this combination appliance makes it easy to save time. With the summer season off and running, that means more time outside actually having fun. Having a cool blended drink anywhere you go certainly adds to the experience. Margaritas anyone?
