There’s nothing worse than a cheap blender.
You know, the kind that grinds, rattles, and shakes across the kitchen counter every time you go to use it?
Not to mention, you don’t have the time to fuss with a kitchen appliance that’s supposed to do it’s job. I mean, that’s why you bought the darn thing!
Just blend.
Luckily, I have a surprise for you.
The Better Blender
Compliments of Wolf Gourmet, one lucky winner is going to receive a brand new high-performance blender!
Let me tell you- it blends everything from soup to nuts (literally). You are going to love it!
Recipe Ideas:
- puree soups
- make delicious creamy smoothies & juices
- chop veggies
- whip cream
- make butter (yes, really!)
- grind nuts and seeds into flour
- make nut butters (homemade Nutella, anyone?)
- crush ice
- make frozen cocktails
- frozen desserts
- salad dressings
I’ve had some time to test this blender out and it boasts several cool features. One of my favorites is the LCD control panel with timer. It tells you exactly what’s going on as it blends; time, speed and setting.
The container is also BPA free and shatter proof. I like that. It’s great for households with busy kids (and clumsy cooks).
Plus, this machine fits underneath most standard-sized kitchen cabinets which is both convenient and decorative.
You can peruse their additional features, here.
Make-Ahead Mornings
High-performance blenders are perfect for smoothies.
Here’s a great time-saving shortcut to speed up your morning routine: prep your smoothies in advance.
Here’s what I do:
Stuff a few ziploc bags with your favorite fruit, nuts, seeds and even a few leafy greens (I love baby kale). Label and freeze the bags until ready to use. When ready to make a smoothie, simply add liquid to the blender, a dollop of yogurt (if preferred) and blend away! I prep at least 2 weeks worth in advance.
I’ve included 3 tasty recipes for you to try: Cherry Berry, Coconut Mango & Pineapple Kale.
Make-ahead smoothies not only saves precious morning moments, it allows you to save fruit that’s about to go bad. Soft fruit is wonderful for smoothies (think: brown bananas, bruising pears, smushy clemtines etc.). Just chop it all up and throw it in the freezer.
That’s money back in your pocket.
The Giveaway {NOW CLOSED}
**Congratulations to our winner, Lorrie Chiarello!**
To enter: for your chance to win a new Wolf blender (retail value $599!) simply leave a comment below. Tell me what you would like to make with your new gift.
This offer is open to blog subscribers only (if you haven’t signed up yet, click here).
The winner will be announced on January 19 2016. Good Luck!
*This post is in partnership with Wolf Gourmet. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only (thanks for understanding!). All opinions are my own.
Kitchen Notes
Tips: Frozen fruit works best with smoothies. In a pinch, add a few ice cubes to the blender to make it cold.
If you struggle with cutting mangoes (like me!), check out my Instagram page for some great tips from all over the world. Thanks to everyone who joined in the conversation! You might want to watch this video from Foodie Crush, and when all else fails, try this mango pitting tool.
Make-Ahead: Prepared smoothie bags can be frozen, 3-6 months (or until freezer burn sets in).
Once blended, pour any leftover smoothies into silicone muffin cases and freeze. Transfer to a ziploc bag when frozen solid (my friend Kelly taught me this trick- it’s genius). To use, simply take out a ‘muffin’ add liquid and blend.
Substitutions: For each smoothie, about 1 cup of liquid plus more to taste is required. I’ve listed my favorite choices and what I think works best. But as always, substitute with whatever you’d like. The coconut milk (referred to below), is the kind that comes in the box (not the can) and can be found in the grocery store next to the nut milks.
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make-ahead smoothies
Ingredients
Cherry Berry
- 1/2 cup frozen cherries, pitted
- 1/4 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 cup apple cider (my favorite), boxed coconut milk, or almond milk, plus more to taste
Coconut Mango
- 1/2 cup frozen mango cubes
- 1/2 frozen banana
- dollop of yogurt
- 1 cup orange juice or boxed coconut milk, plus more to taste
Pineapple Kale
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 banana
- handful of baby kale or baby spinach
- dollop of yogurt
- 1 cup boxed coconut milk, plus more to taste
Garnish
- Shelled hemp seeds, crushed almonds, or a mix of your favorite nuts and seeds.
- Lime wedges
Optional Ingredients: a small handful of oats, soaked or unsoaked cashews, and flax seeds can be added to any of these smoothies.
Instructions
- For make-ahead smoothies, cut the fruit into chunks and add to a ziploc bag. Add the baby kale or baby spinach, and any optional ingredients. Label, date and freeze until ready to use.
- To make each smoothie, add all of the ingredients to a blender (respectively). Process until smooth and creamy. Add additional liquid if necessary.
- Top with your choice of garnish.
- Serve right away.
Comments
Lydia Saldana says
I would love to make smoothies, soups and can’t forget the margaritas!
Megan S. says
Hi there, just thought I’d let you know that I’ve been using my make-ahead smoothies and it’s awesome! Thanks so much for the idea!
Emilie says
Hello Megan! This just made my day! I’m so happy to hear that the make-ahead method has been working out for you. Cool, right? xo
Jena | Little Rusted Ladle says
Simply beautiful smoothies.
Leslie says
What a fabulous idea. Good for New Years resolutions.
Thomas Murphy says
I would make a milk shake.
Annie says
This looks amazing. I would love to try and make my own nut butters – peanut, almond, you name it! I also want to get more into making smoothies in the mornings to take breakfast on the go. Thanks for the wonderful give away!
Mario says
I’d love to make morning smoothies to start! With such busy mornings, I can see myself making ahead smoothies to pack in nutrients for the day.
Jenice says
I would make more “smooth” smoothies. Right now mine are lumpy.
chelsey says
my husbans is a nurse and, as such, works long hours. he loves it when i wake up early with him and prepare him a smoothie to take on the road. i would definitely use this for smoothies! and for myself- i would use it to make pesto. YUM.
Mary Beth Hunt says
I’d make “Adult” smoothies ;)
Amy says
I would love to make some soups and try making some nut butters
Eva says
Good idea to prep smoothie single servings ahead of time. I could definitely use a blender for baking gluten free, a lot of the doughs are too wet for my food processor.
Josh says
a nurse who tries to balance out swim training, work and studies and takes nice short little heaven retreats from time to time in his little kitchen. it’ll be fun to have a blender and finally attempt making my own peanut butter. (I was just assuming everything means nuts too?) otherwise, spreads, smoothies and leftover vegetables (yes I’m that horrible person that tries to make experimental soup with any leftovers I find in the kitchen instead of the fresh stuff. all you cooking gurus please don’t hate I promise I will do better) are great too! cheers :D!
Emma says
I’m now blender-less, having gone through two blenders (one “silent”, the other not so, but both which didn’t seem to stand up to long-term use). I would have a long list, perhaps the first being some quick protein smoothies, and then settling in to homemade almond nut butter, to put on oatmeal and in future smoothies. Thanks! – E.
Cyn says
I would make ALL THE THINGS! My favs are smoothies, creamy veggie soups, nut butters and cocktails!!!
Shannon says
Oh.my.goodness! I would love to make hummus, smoothies, almond butter……yum!!!
Maria says
Smoothies for the win!
Becky Winkler says
I would love to try making almond milk in a high-quality blender–I bet it’s so much faster!
Pamela Green says
I’d love to make sauces with fresh ingredients!
Cena says
I am jumping up and down with excitement! I’m ready to blend up a delicious soup and salad dressing for starters. The sky is the limit! Go Wolf Gourmet!
Carmen Pricone says
Great post Emile! These smoothes look amazing. My daughter who has successfully maintained a healthy vegan diet for over a year now, would love this blender as much as I would. This appliance would get a lot of use not only during summer but also thoughout winter with soups and sauces. Right now, I could use it to help speed up the process of sauce making. Tomato season is here in Australia, and I am already planning to make passata. X
Christine says
After a year without my own kitchen, my husband and I are finally moving to our own place, and I will have a kitchen again. I have been thinking about kitchen appliances and a blender is high on my list because smoothie in a bowl with toppings is my absolute favorite breakfast. This would be a nice housewarming gift and I’d love to make cara cara, beetroot and spinach smoothie with it!
Anna says
I want to make food for my precious baby!
Sarah N. says
These smoothies look delicious! I need to prepare more smoothies that are high in protein to start the day off right. The blender is gorgeous and looks very powerful, too. I’d love to try making silky-smooth soups in it!
Susan Christy says
I don’t know how many blenders I’ve burned up trying to make milkshakes for my nieces and nephews. Would love a great blender to make frozen margaritas!
Calli says
I’d love to make the cherry berry smoothie, maybe add some cacao powder!
Patti says
Your smoothies are so colorful and inviting. I would use the blender to try your recipes and it would also make my soups super smooth. I’d love the ease of it.
Rachel says
I would like to make tomato or potato soup!
Jennifer W says
Definitely my breakfast smoothies!
Britney says
I would loveeeee to make smoothies for breakfasts in the morning and add in some dark green veggies too. Making time for a healthy breakfast is sometimes difficult so it would really make me happy to start my day off right. The first fruits I would toss in the blender would be some papaya and pineapple to kick start my digestive system for the day!
Also being able to make a yummy & healthy smoothie just any time at all would be wonderful : )
Kim H. says
I would love to make some really smooth salsa verde!
Zubayda M says
I would love to make pesto, smoothies and salsa. What a nice looking blender!
Mandy says
Tomato soup!! I have a great recipe but it would be better if it was finished in a proper blender!!
Jamie says
I want to make butters, yellow butter, & nut butters. I also want to make the cherry berry smoothie and to try some really great looking recipes I found awhile back for matcha smoothies!
suzanne says
I would make fruit and veggie smoothies. I am on a liquid diet right now, sure wish I already had one of these!
Genie L says
I have a great Mango Smoothie recipe with an almond cream base. Need a really good blender to handle the almonds.
Will G says
I would love to make smoothies!
Ali celestino says
I’d make milkshakes and soups!
Tyneisha says
I’d love to make a chocolate mousse!
JuMeka says
With my gift, I would make BUTTER. First and foremost, I would make butter(s) with my Wolf blender, then, dressings, cocktails with the crushed ice, desserts, and of course smoothies. Nuts to flour you say, oh my. I can’t wait.
pat says
Love your smoothie recipes,would love a blender to make them in….
Rachel Greeve says
Hi Emilie! I would like to make smoothies for people at the new Fruiterie market I am opening up in the spring here in Montreal.
Eleni says
My morning smoothies!
MJ says
Nut butters! They can burn up a blender in no time….a Wolf blender would last a long time.
sandyhills25 says
I would have to say that it would be a blueberry smoothie
Angela says
I would like to make smoothies, and especially soup!!! mmmmmm
Amy H says
I love making soups in the winter.
Denimo says
Well… I would definitely start out by ‘blenderizing’ these make ahead smoothies. What a great idea! Thanks so much!!
Ashley says
I would like to make salsa
Harmony b says
Would be great for soups