Month: September 2020

So you’re looking for that new appliance to help deal with your fruit and vegetables. But with so many choices which way do you turn; blender or food processor?

Blenders or Food Processor: Blender

Blenders are most suited for making liquid mixes like smoothies and soups.

They operate with a relatively dull but effective blade that typically afixes to the bottom of a jug. The jug is shaped almost like a cone which encourages the ingredients to head downwards towards the blades to be cut up and blended together.

Best For

• Blenders are typically best suited to making:
• Smoothies
• Purees
• Soups

They can also sometimes be put to use to try make dips as well as helping with mixing dough for baking but they are not really designed for these tasks so results can be mixed at best.

When it comes down to getting a blending, it really depends on what you think you’ll be using it for the most. If you’ll rely on it to make smoothies on a regular basis and the occasional soup, then a good blender is probably all you need.

If you intend on using it for more intricate tasks like chopping up vegetables then you may want to look at a food processor. Having said that though, there are many models out there that now come with various attachments meaning you could get blender that can handle a lot more than just smoothies and soups. The highly rated Vitamix 065860 for example can do a whole host of jobs in addition to blending smoothies including grinding nuts and coffee as well as mixing batter and dough.

Blenders typically come with a jug that can sometimes also be used for storing the mixture in the fridge once you’re done. However, this very much depends on size as some units may be too large and tall to fit comfortably in your fridge.

There are other models like the Kenwood Smoothie 2 Go models that have jugs that are designed for being taken on the go and being drunk directly out of the same jug.

When it comes to choosing a blender though there are plenty of inexpensive options, if you know you’ll be making frequent use of it, it pays to go for something that will likely last. If you’re for example going to be packing in fruit every day for breakfast smoothies then you want something durable and capable of blending lots of ingredients without too much bother. The last thing you want is for the motor to be overwhelmed when trying to mix your favourite breakfast smoothie.

It’s a tough question especially when from the outside they seem so similar. But in this article we will try take a look at each one in turn and help you to decide which one would be most suited to yoru needs. So blender or food processor; let’s take a look.

Blenders: Potential Options

Vitamix 065860 E310 Explorian Blender

★★★★★

Vitamix is a household name in the world of blenders reportedly used in restaurants and smoothie spots. Though expensive the Vitamix 065860 E310 Explorian Blender comes with a 5 year warranty which bodes well if you intend to use this daily.

Philips HR3652/01 Blender

When it comes to reliable kitchen appliances there not too many more well renowned names than Philips and their Philips HR3652/01 Blender fits the bill. With a hefty 1400 watt motor and a significant 2 litre glass jug, the Philips HR3652/01 Blender is also equipped with parts that are dishwasher safe.

NUTRiBULLET 600 Series 

★★★★★

It seems difficult to talk about blenders or smoothie makers these days without mentioning NUTRiBULLET. The NUTRiBULLET 600 Series is said to be the original in the line and one of the best selling ones.

Blenders or Food Processor: Food Processor

Food processors may look similar to blenders in many respects but they perform different roles.

Food processors are more typically geared towards chopping up fruit and vegetables as well as shredding produce and mixing dough for baking. They are designed to make tasks that would usually require a bit more effort in the kitchen easier and quicker.

Food processors are typically equipped with large flat bowls designed to hold fruit and veg once it has been processed.

In many instances food processors will come equipped with various attachments to help you make the most of the appliance. They can also come with various speeds to help you get through different types of fruit and vegetables.

Food Processors are typically best for:

• Chopping fruit and vegetables
• Slicing fruit and vegetables
• Grating and shredding fruit and vegetables
• Kneading dough
• Mixing ingredients (without completely “blending” them)

As food processors can also mix ingredients, the temptation may be to try use them to make smoothies. If you let a food processor run long enough it may well result in a smoothie like consistency however, it is unlikely to have the same smooth finish to it.

Food Processor: Potential Options

Let’s take a look at some of the best potential options if you’re after a food processor.

Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor

★★★★★

The Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor comes with high ratings from users and provides a food processor, multi-serve blender and personal blender all in one machine. With multiple attachments to help you get the most out of each setting, this Ninja comes with a powerful 1200Watt motor.

Kenwood KE-FDP301W Food Processor with Blender

Kenwood have a long history of making great kitchen appliances and their KE-FDP301W Food processor with blender appears to follow that line. Equipped with an ample 2.1 litre food processor bowl and a 1.2 litre blender jug, the KE-FDP301W is well suited to getting various types of jobs done in the kitchen.

Sage the Kitchen Wizz Pro Food Processor

★★★★

Sage have a track record of producing high quality build products and the Kitchen Wizz Pro (BFP800UK) appears to follow that tradition. With an extra wide chute and 4 way chopping blades, the Kitchen Wizz Pro is well equipped to tackle the jobs you need in the kitchen. Quite helpfully the Sage Kitchen Wizz Pro comes with a stylish and useful accessories storage box to help maintain a clean and tidy feel for this high-end model.

KitchenAid 5KFC3516 Classic Mini Food Processor

★★★★★

If you need a food processor for everyday tasks but don’t want it too take up too much counterspace then the compact but impressive KitchenAid 5KFC3516 Classic Mini Food Processor may be one to look at. With an 830ml bowl with pour spout the KitchenAid Classic Mini Food Processor is well equipped to deal with the needs of a kitchen serving a smaller household.

Blender or Food Processor: Can’t Decide?

If you can’t quite decide between a blender or food processor as you’ll have seen above there are options that allow you to get the best of both with combined food processor and blender combinations.

Conclusion: Blender or Food Processor

When it comes to deciding between a blender or food processor there’s plenty of choice on the market. If you need something that will regularly help you turn your fruit and vegetables into smoothies and soups then you may be best placed to go for a reliable blender. Remember to keep in mind how often you’ll be using it when deciding on the type and quality you want to shell out on.

If on the other hand you need an appliance to help you through some of the heavy lifting involved with making bread dough, slicing and chopping as well as a host of other actions then a food processor may be the way to go.

Of course, if you can’t decide then you have plenty of options available that cater to both sets of needs with combined machines also available.

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Food Processor or Blender: Tell Us Your Thoughts.

How to make a breakfast smoothie? It really couldn’t be any easier. We regularly (4/5 times a week) make our favourrite breakfast smoothie in our house as its delicious, packed full of goodness and very easy to make.

Smoothies can be made to look complicated and sophisticated from the outside but really it’s just a mixture of your favourite fruits and a few other bits bunged together in the blender.

Our favourite breakfast smoothie is a wheat biscuit based (Weetabix) one but the beauty of the smoothie is that you can tailor it to your own needs.

How To Make A Breakfast Smoothie

How to make a breakfast smoothie? Let’s get to it. Below we’ll show you how to make a breakfast smoothie using our Weetabix breakfast smoothie as a guide.

Ingredients:

For this breakfast smoothie you’ll need the following ingredients

• Weetabix Biscuits x 2
• Branflakes x 1 handful
• Banana x 1
• Avocado x 1/2
• Apple (royal gala; braeburn or your favourite) x 1
• Your choice of milk (we use goats milk) x 1 glass
• Grapes x 1 palm full
• Mixed seeds x1 tablespoon

1 – Firstly grab your glass full of milk and tip it into the blender. It’s best to get started with the milk as it will make it easier for your ingredients to mix. Having said this we often put the milk in at the end as there’s less splashing to deal with but this is clearly a minor point.

2 – Next add the wheat biscuits, branflakes, banana, chopped apple, avocado and grape.

3 – Lastly add in the mixed seeds into the blender.

4 – Once everything is in, close the lid and then blend the mixture until it looks smooth and creamy. If you want to make the smoothie thicker you can add some more avocado.

Alternatively you can add some yoghurt. If on the other hand it’s too thick for your liking you can always add in some milk or even water.

That’s really all there is to it. The above recipe is just one way to make a hearty breakfast smoothie; you can always mix things up with your favourite foods.

As long as you have at least the following ingredients, your breakfast smoothie should be good to go:

• A liquid (milk/juice/water) to help mix it all together
• Cereal of some kind like Weetabix or oats to make it feel substantial so you don’t even up feeling hungry too quickly
• Fruits like banana and avocado to thicken the texture and add some sweetness

Do You Put Milk or Water In Smoothies?

If you’re wondering whether you put milk or water in smoothies, it really depends on your preference and also what a recipe may call for. With our breakfast smoothie we typically use milk but sometimes also add some water if the mixture ends up to too thick.

With milk smoothies typically end up with a more creamy texture and perhaps a more interesting taste.

The thing is though when it comes to smoothies, you can simply experiment and see what works for you.

Can I Blend Banana and Milk?

Can I blend banana and milk? We definitely think you can blend banana and milk. We routinely do so and there lots of recipes available that call for milk and banana.

When it comes to making breakfast smoothies, banana and milk is a very common combination and provide an excellent base. Not only does banana help to thicken your smoothie mixture but it also ensures that it will also have a sweet taste.

Smoothies can be a delicious and nutritious way to start the day as well a filling snack throughout the day.

In this article we’re going to look at how to make smoothies in a blender.

I regularly make breakfast smoothie and often end up coming back for the leftovers throughout the day as a snack.

How To Make Smoothies In a Blender?

Base Liquid: To get started it’s a good idea to have a liquid to act as the foundation of your smoothie. There’s plenty of options in this category anything ranging from milk; yoghurt; coconut water; alternative milks eg almond. The other option is fruit juice if you don’t mind the sugar levels.

Later on you can always top it with water to alter the consistency of your smoothie. To get started though try one of your favourite liquids.

Main Base: Next you want to add in something hearty to give your smoothie some real depth. This might be some substantial fruit like banana, mango or avocado.

For our favourite breakfast smoothie recipe we like to use Weetabix and Bran flakes as the main base to give the smoothie a real hearty and filling centre.

If you want to add in some greens like kale or spinach, now’s a good time to toss some in.

Fruits: Next add in any othe fruits that you feel could add something to your smoothie. At this stage in our breakfast smoothies we typically add in apple, grapes, blueberries or something of this nature to give it some more depth of flavour.

When adding in fruit it can be fresh or frozen. Indeed some people like to always have frozen fruit on stanby for making their smoothies. This is a good way to save your bananas from getting too ripe and spoilt in your fruit bowl. The riper your bananas are the sweeter your smoothie will be but you may not want it to be too ripe as the smell can be quite strong in your smoothie.

Nuts and Mixes: Lastly, you can add in any extras like chia or sunflower seeds at this stage. If you think it won’t be sweet enough for you, you could consider something like honey but the great thing with smoothies is that you can always try a bit at first and then alter it as you need to.

Blend It: Once you have everything in, blend it all together. With our blender we typically start on the lower speed setting to get the mixture going. At this stage make sure that you have enough liquid in the blender to allow it to get to work. You can add more liquid as you go.

Once the mixture has started to blend well, we typically kick it up to the high speed to really get at all the ingredients. Keep it running until you can see the consistency of the smoothie is nice and smooth.

If at this stage it looks too dense, add in some of your liquid. If on the other hand it’s too runny for your liking then you can try adding in something to thicken the texture and making creamier; bananas, avocados or yoghurt can work quite well for this.

What Is The Best Blender For Smoothies and Soups?

Blenders can work quite well for both smoothies as well as soup. The blender in our kitchen gets used 4 or 5 days in a week to make breakfast smoothies and blend our soup. The one we have is a simple but very reliable Philips similar to the HR2106/06 model here.

There are plenty of great options available on the market. Vitamix for example have some of the most well renowned blenders on the market for example their Vitamix 065860 E310.

NUTRiBULLET is another brand with some high quality options behind it like the NUTRiBULLET 600 Series.

Whichever blender you go with, try to get the best you can. This is especially important if you will be making use of the blender regularly. My breakfast smoothies for example are needed quite frequently so it helps that my blender is reliable and quite powerful. It takes me only a few minutes from beginning to end which is priceless when there are so many other things I need to do.

What Is The Best Liquid To Put In a Smoothie?

So now that we’ve covered how to make smoothies in a blender – what is the best liquid to put in a smoothie? This really depends on your taste preferences. As we’ve outlined above there a few good options we like to play with:

• Milk – Cow’s milk or goats milk work well
• Almond milk and other dairy alternatives
• Coconut water
• Coconut milk
• Pressed fruit juice

Yoghurt is also another good one though bear in mind that you’ll typically need to add in something that’s runnier to allow your blender to be able to mix in all the ingredients.

The other liquid that can come in very hand is simply water. This can be useful if you need to make the mixture less dense though you may not necessarily want to just use water as your base liquid. It may not give your smoothie that creamy texture that can help make them so satisfying.

So what is the best liquid to put in a smoothie? You’ve got plenty of options – that’s the beauty of smoothies, you can make them based on your own unique preferences. They’re also so quick and easy that if one liquid doesn’t work out for you today, you can always try a slight variation another day.

With our breakfast smoothies we often use goats milk but can easily switch to cows milk if there’s none available.

What Ingredients Can You Put In a Smoothie?

When you’re first starting out you might wonder ‘what ingredients can you put in a smoothie?’. The simple answer pretty much anything you want that your blender can handle.

But of course you may want to make sure that whatever you’re putting in will work well as an overall recipe. Nonetheless you can definitely experiment with smoothies quite easily.

Generally speaking though relatively soft fruit and vegetables tend to work very well in smoothies. These might include

Fruit:

• Apple
• Avocado
• Pear
• Mango
• Passionfruit
• Banana
• Melon
• Grape
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Pineapple

Vegetables:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Mint

The other category that can work quite well with smoothies to give them a nice kick are nuts and mixes such as:

• Chia seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Cashew nuts

The other main ingredients are of course the liquids described above and here the choice is as wide as your palette can stand. Ranging from milk to juice, yoghurt and simply water.

Are Smoothies Better With Milk or Yogurt?

When you are trying to decide on a base one question that might pop up is – are smoothies better with milk or yogurt? The answer depends on what type of texture and consistency you are looking for.

From what we find, our smoothies made with milk tend to be runnier and will need other ingredients like avocado or banana to give them a more creamy texture. With milk however, we will tend to find it doesn’t need another liquid like water to help the blender getting going. This is not always the case with yogurt especially the thicker variety like natural greek.

With yogurt on the other hand you may find your smoothie is creamier than it would be with milk depending on the type of yogurt. Our breakfast smoothies with yogurt in them always taste like they have a bit more depth in terms of their texture. Yogurt can also work quite well if you want that creamy texture but don’t necessarily have all of your favourite ingredients for the job at hand .

With some yogurt based smoothies do keep in mind that you may still need to add in another liquid to make sure the consistency is not too heavy. Sometimes with some types of yogurts you may find the blender needs a bit of help from some additional water or juice to help it move.

So, are smoothies bettwer with milk or yogurt? That very much depends on your taste preference and what you are looking for in terms of consistency. In some instances, it may even make sense to mix the two together.

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How To Make Smoothies In a Blender: Tell Us Your Thoughts