Tag Archives: Vitamix

Pureed Whole Grain Pancakes

Blenderized, Pureed, , , , , ,

All of my pureed diet recipes must pass a taste test.  I feel, if I won’t eat it, why would anyone else?  I sampled this recipe and it a tasted like an amped up Cream of Wheat.  I had one of my girls taste it and she cleaned the plate!

GE

1/3 cup of water
4 pancakes (or 4oz by weight)

  1. Add ingredients the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10.
  4. Blend for 10-15 seconds using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

Food Tip: Serving this warm with maple syrup has all of the flavor of my whole grain pancakes minus the chewing. Increase or decrease the water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.

Food Tip: If fiber needs to be restricted, use my whole grain pancake recipe but use ½ cup of oat flour, ½ cup quinoa flour and ½ cup of all purpose flour instead of the combination listed.

Money Tip: Of course you can use a prepared pancake mix or frozen pancakes but those will always more expensive.

Time Tip: As with all of my pureed recipes, any leftovers can be frozen in ice cube trays and stored in Ziploc bags for future use.

Whole Grain Pancakes

Breakfast, Pureed, , , , , , , ,
Whole Grain Pancakes
Whole Grain Pancakes

½ cup all purpose flour
½ cracked wheat or whole wheat flour
¼ cup oat flour
¼ cup quinoa flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tsp double-acting baking powder
1¼ cup of milk (any kind)
2 eggs
3 tablespoons melted butter

GEGE

  1. Combine dry ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Combine eggs and milk in the Vitamix container and secure lid.
  3. Select Variable1.
  4. Turn machine on and blend for 3 seconds.
  5. Turn machine off and remove lid.
  6. Add in dry ingredients and secure lid.
  7. Select Variable 1.
  8. Increase speed to Variable 3 and blend for 10 seconds.
  9. Turn off machine and remove lid.
  10. Add the melted butter and secure lid.
  11. Select Variable1.
  12. Increase speed to Variable 3 and blend for 5 seconds.
  13. Set the batter aside for 5 minutes to allow it to thicken (liquids take time to soak trough the brand of whole grains).
  14. Pour batter directly from the Vitamix container onto an electric griddle preheated to 350 degrees or a standard griddle over a medium to medium high heat.

GE

Food Tip: The combination of flours makes these pancakes light and full of flavor. Maple syrup adds the finishing touch but you won’t want to use much. They are also great straight out of the toaster plain. The whole grain flours are a great source of fiber and protein.

Money Tip: Homemade pancakes take a little more time and effort than pre-made batters but they are far less expensive (not to mention they taste so much better). Frozen prepackaged pancakes may be a quick grab but they are even more expensive than the pre-made batters (Again, taste is an issue).

Time Tip: Pre-grind a portion of your whole grains into flour and keep on hand for quick addition/substitution to your favorite recipes. Making these pancakes with a mixer takes a lot longer and pouring directly from the Vitamix container saves time on clean up. Keep the leftovers (if there are any) in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days but trust me, they will not last that long. You can also double the recipe and freeze the extras in stacks of 4 in a Ziploc Freezer bag.

Melon Agua Fresca

Beverages, , , , , ,

Here in southern California the summer heat is just beginning to ramp up.  With temperatures that hover near 100 degrees sometimes into October, staying cool and hydrated is high on our list of priorities.  My husband came across this recipe on Foodwishes.com and asked me if I could make it.  I just happened to have half a watermelon in the refrigerator so my answer was, “Absolutely!”  I researched the heath benefits of watermelon and was surprised at what I found:

Despite popular belief that watermelon is made up of only water and sugar, watermelon is actually considered a nutrient dense food, a food that provides a high amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a low amount of calories.
Watermelons have become synonymous with summer and picnics, and for good reason. Their refreshing quality and sweet taste help to combat the heat and also provide a guilt-free, low maintenance dessert for kids and adults alike to enjoy.
Along with cantaloupe and honeydew, watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. There are five common types of watermelon: seeded, seedless, mini (also known as personal), yellow and orange.
This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. It provides a nutritional breakdown of watermelon and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, how to incorporate more watermelon into your diet and any potential health risks of consuming watermelon.
Nutritional breakdown of watermelon

1-1244912058986lAlong with cantaloupe and honeydew, watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae.
One cup of diced watermelon (152 grams) contains 43 calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams of carbohydrate (including 9 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fiber) and 1 gram of fiber. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% of vitamin A, 21% of vitamin C, 2% of iron and 1% of calcium needs for the day.
Watermelon also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, lycopene and betaine. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable.
Despite being a great source of the above nutrients, watermelon is made up of 92% water.
(Excerpt taken from Medical News Today. Originally published: Sunday 10/6/13)

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Watermelon Agua Fresca

6 cups fresh scooped or chopped watermelon
2 cups cold water
Simple syrup or other sweetener to taste (optional)

1. Place watermelon and water into the large Vitamix container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10, then High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds.

No straining needed
No straining needed

Food Tip: This recipe makes 2 quarts but it can but cut in half and made in the smaller container. Unlike with a standard blender, there is no need to strain out the fibers from the watermelon seeds. The Vitamix blends so completely that, not only are there no fibers, there is very little recognizable pulp when you drink it. Watermelons are typically at their peak of sweetness between June and August so, unless you have a serious sweet tooth, there is no need to add any sweetener.  Don’t like watermelon?  Try the same recipe with cantaloupe.  It is just as refreshing!

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca
Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

Money Tip: As with any fruit, buying watermelon in season is always cheaper especially if you buy them at a farmer’s market. I recently purchased a 25 pound watermelon on sale for just over $3.

Time Tip: The original recipe used a standard blender that required 1 minute of blending. When made in the Vitamix it took 30 seconds and there was no time spent on straining.

Mango Ice cream

Gluten Free, Pureed, Snacks/Desserts, , , , ,

So what do you serve for dessert when it’s 102 degrees outside?  Ice cream, of course!  This is a fresh and fruity twist on an old time favorite.  My husband likes his with a sprinkle of shredded coconut while my girls prefer it without the banana.  With the Vitamix I can make 2 servings at a time in less than a minute so everyone gets exactly what they want!

Mango Ice Cream
Mango Ice Cream

1 coconut milk (or fat free milk) cube
1 pureed cottage cheese cube
2 oz frozen banana
6 pureed mango cubes
6 pineapple cubes
(Makes 2 servings)

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase to Variable 10, then High.
4. Use Tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
5. In about 30-60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form.
6. Stop machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.

Food Tip: I have found that using frozen pureed cottage cheese cubes makes for a smoother ice cream that is higher in calcium and lower in fat than using half n half or heavy cream. This recipe is very versatile. Try mixing and matching any frozen fruit and “milks” you have to create your own healthy fruit “ice cream”.

Money tip: Buying a 3pound container of cottage cheese may seem like over kill but I use it to replace almost all of the milk products in my recipes. At Costco it only costs $4.99 whereas the 16oz container can cost $2.50 in the grocery store. After the larger container is opened it will keep for 5-7 days. Freezing a portion when it is opened will ensure freshness and minimize waste.

Time tip: Using Frozen fruit and cottage cheese cubes takes the guess work out of balancing flavor and texture. Preparation time is shorter because there is no need to measure anything. Also you won’t have to spend extra time making the ice cream trying to break down cottage cheese curds.

 

Vitamix Verses Jamba Juice

Why Vitamix?, , , ,

I was able to find this information on hackthemenu.com:
Jamba Juice Smoothies Prices:
Item                                            Sixteen Original Power
Classic Smoothies                 $4.29     $4.99       $5.69
All Fruit Smoothies                $4.69     $5.39       $6.09
Fruit & Veggie Smoothies    $5.69     $5.39       $6.09
Pre-Boosted Smoothies       $6.69     $5.39       $6.09
Fit ‘n Fruitful Smoothies      $4.99     $5.69       –
Creamy Treats                        $4.69     $5.39       –

Now let’s do a little math. Say “Average Joe Smoothie” was to buy his favorite classic smoothie 5 days a week. In the course of a week he would spend (drum roll please) an average of $27. Now let’s stretch that out to a month: $108. If “Joe Average Smoothie” were a diehard smoothie fan and he were to do that for 1 year it would be about $1,300! He could have bought the Vitamix 5200-Deluxe Complete Kitchen TWICE!  We bought that package because of all that it could do and it was less expensive than buying it a piece at a time.  Also the machine replaced my blender, mixer and food processor for most of my recipes.  Goodbye counter clutter!

Food Processor in Storage
Food Processor in Storage

To make a smoothie at home it would cost about $1 and that is not factoring in the gas to get to Jamba Juice. Since the Vitamix is so much more than a smoothie maker, you will really be saving a whole lot more. As for the nutritional differences…Well that’s another blog entry. I’ll be getting to that one soon.

Ranch Dressing

Dips and Spreads, Gluten Free, , ,

Try this one out on your family (Shhhh! Don’t tell them what’s in it). They will fall in love with it and your cottage cheese haters will be shocked. I tried making this with a regular blender but my husband did not like it because the texture was not creamy enough. Not so with the Vitamix. I pack about a tablespoon of it in a small container and put it in his lunch with garden fresh veggies.

Ranch dressing with veggies1 cup low fat cottage cheese
½ cup milk
½ cup mayonnaise
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1. Place cottage cheese and milk into the Vitamix container and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 10.
4. Blend for 10 seconds or until smooth.
5. Remove lid and add mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix.
6. Secure lid and select Variable 1.
7. Turn machine on and increase speed to Variable 6.
8. Blend 10 seconds or until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
9. Pour into a 3 cup container and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Food tip: Using cottage cheese to replace a portion of the milk and mayonnaise reduces fat while adding calcium and protein. The cottage cheese also thickens the dressing to make it perfect for dipping vegetables instead of using sour cream. To use as a salad dressing, add enough milk to reach the desired consistency. For thicker vegetable dip use 2/3 cup of mayonnaise and 1/3 cup of milk. You can make this recipe with just cottage or a combination of cottage cheese and milk but, if you are looking for the traditional tang of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, you will want to use the mayonnaise.

Time Tip: When using the Vitamix this dressing takes about 5 minutes start to finish.

Money Tip: Hidden Valley has a 3.75oz container of this dressing mix. It is always cheaper than the individual packages and keeps well for months in the cupboard. Cottage cheese can also be bought in larger containers for a lower price and can be used in a variety of recipes to replace whole milk, cream or half and half.

Vitamix History

What the Vitamix can do is why we bought it.  It’s history is why it is the only blender I will endorse and promote.

Vitamix Company History

A Letter from our President

When I was asked to become the President of Vitamix in 2009, the company was already recognized as the market leader in blending technology. I realized that I was not just accepting a new position, but agreeing to steward a legacy. It is incredibly humbling to know that the successes we experience today have been made possible by the foundational leadership, passion, and commitment of the generations before us.

I wish I could give you a personal tour through the halls of our company, show you the family photos that hang here, and let you touch the logs of the home and office that my grandfather built by hand in the 1940s, while keeping his business afloat, supporting the war effort, and raising a family. Some of my fondest memories took place inside these walls, including family reunions and listening in fascination as my grandfather would talk to customers on the phone, helping them knead bread dough in their Vitamix machines, which was very popular at that time. Our customers are still the center of our world. As the fourth-generation President of Vitamix, our history is very personal to me, as it is for the hundreds of employees who continue to work right here in Olmsted Township, Ohio—designing, perfecting, and building the hundreds of thousands of Vitamix products that are made every year. Join me as we walk through this almost century-long, true American success story.

Our story began in 1921 when my great-grandfather was facing challenging economic times that would soon lead to the Great Depression. William Grover Barnard, affectionately known as “Papa” to all of us, began traveling the country selling modern kitchen products. It was by helping a friend through his illness that he began connecting the value of whole-food nutrition to health and well-being. Papa changed the name of his business to The Natural Food Institute, and became a pioneer in the health food industry, studying and teaching people everything he knew about food and health. In 1937, Papa was introduced to a new product, the blender. He immediately saw the value of blending to quickly and easily prepare healthy foods that taste delicious. He focused his attention on selling this new product, which my other great-grandfather named the “Vita-Mix,” because vita means life.

In 1949, my grandfather, Bill Barnard, convinced Papa to take his live demonstration to the newest form of advertising, the television set. Papa overcame his doubts that the TV was a welcome addition to the family and went down in history as the creator of the nation’s first infomercial. Grandpa inherited the business a few years later in 1955, officially changing its name to Vita-Mix Corporation in 1964 when his son, Grover, joined the company. Knowing the benefits of whole foods, Grandpa was determined to make healthy food preparation even easier and more delicious. The Vitamix became more powerful and versatile, setting it apart from any other product on the market. In 1969, he introduced the Vitamix 3600, the first blender that could make hot soup, blend ice cream, grind grain, and knead bread dough. My grandmother created hundreds of recipes for healthy alternatives to the foods we loved.

Thirty years later, my father, John Barnard, and his brother used their engineering backgrounds to make significant improvements to the performance and durability of the Vitamix product line—further developing the technology that allows families to pass their cherished Vitamix machines from one generation to another. In 1985, they developed the first Vitamix commercial blender, the Mix’n Machine. My dad’s vision then established us as the first high-performance blender in the food-service industry—where our quality, performance, and value continue to set the bar. Today, a full line of commercial Vitamix machines can be found in gourmet restaurants and leading chains around the world.

Some of the lessons we learned along the way are still with us today. We continue to persevere to create the highest-quality product through customer input and advanced technology. We are steadfast in creating a better future through family values and healthy, delicious food. And we are committed to improving the vitality of people’s lives.

What Papa Barnard realized decades ago is now common knowledge: the world can be a healthier and better place through whole-food nutrition. It is not just our torch—it is a passion held by many. Please join us in changing the way the world thinks about food, quality products, and customer service. We can make a bigger difference—together. You, too, can be a part of our story.

To your health and vitality,

Jodi Berg
President