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.
Printmake-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
Megan S. says
The make-ahead smoothies are a great idea! If I’m the lucky winner, I’ll be blending many smoothies and trying my hand at making my own baby food for my little one. And I love that idea for blended frozen banana and milk to make “ice cream” in the comments above.
Darin Hardin says
Smoothies every day, and would use as a juicer since it can puree very well. Why not keep the pulp! Your smoothie recipes look killer – can’t wait for your book to arrive!!
Jackie says
What a WONDERFUL, dream give- away!! I would use for my morning smoothies, soups for lunch and an entire wonderful variety of options to use for dinner!!! Happy Blending <3
Julie says
A new blender would be awesome! First thing I’d blend up would be a mango lassi. :-)
Alison H. says
I would make smoothies every day.
Ann says
We love to make smoothies — and my son even likes green ones. We usually add fruit, plain yogurt, chia, and maybe some maple syrup. We’d love a new, stronger blender.
Lorraine says
I’d try the Cherry Berry Smoothie – yum.
Gina Landucci says
Strawberry avocado is the favorite at our house and new blender would make it even more lovely!
jenice says
My blender is not very powerful so this would be wonderful for the smoothie recipes you posted!
Melanie C. says
Smoothies and soups – I’ve never seen this blender but would love to own one!
Thanks for doing this giveaway.
Carol Rechtien says
It’s soup season! I am looking forward to making tasty purées in my blender!
-dk. says
Make ahead idea is great! I’m going to make some today, so my son can whip up his own smoothies. Thank you.
Jan says
I would start by making a smooth, warm potato soup to ward off this winter weather.
glenne says
any kind of fruit, unsweetened coconut almond milk, maybe cinnamon, maybe vanilla. blend . yum
Liz says
I would like to make smoothies and purees and different soups. Thank you for the chance to win this lovely blender.
Gail Brogdon says
Would love to try your coconut mango smoothie. I buy mangoes on sale and dice and freeze for use in mango salsa. Delicious on grilled teriyaki pork chops. The blender would be great for my healthy cauliflower broccoli soup.
B Bowen says
Wonderful recipes, Emilie. Can’t wait to try them. I love smooth soups so would definitely give that kind of recipe a whirl.
Sheila says
Would love to win this to make smoothies for my 16 month old granddaughter who Ioves fruits and veggies
Trish Haight says
Smoothies are my go-to quick breakfast. I’ve stated using powdered peanut butter. All the protein with a fraction of the fat. It’s great with frozen bananas!
DarcyLea says
I would get creative with smoothies. I worked hard this past summer freezing fresh fruits and berries in small portions to use all winter in smoothies and shakes. How fun it would be to make a fruit soup to serve as a surprising winter dessert
Ciana says
I just have a (small) cheep blender so I would love to make anything in a proper blender, probably a soup would be first though
Carol says
I would start with those wonderful smoothie recipes you shared. Salad dressings,hummus,salsas and soups would also be nice. Maybe a blender ice cream for dessert.
Brenda Haines says
I would start by making some yummy thick blended soups, like tomato basil and butternut squash. Thanks for the chance!
Jessica says
My blender gets used for many things in the kitchen but I would say I use it for soups more than anything! My old one is starting to fade so this giveaway came at a good time, fingers crossed!
Catherine says
Looks amazing! Especially Pineapple Kale!
Cathy says
The options are unlimited with a blender of this quality as I spend a great deal of time making meals for my family. Smoothies are at the top of the list for my son, but from appetizers to desserts is my universe. Spicy avocado pesto would be on of many to be blended.
Lydia Stearns says
I would definitely make smoothies with this blender- I love smoothies but my current blender is definitely a cheap one that make it hard to want to blend things : (
Helen Allen says
I love kefir and fruit shakes to start my day.
Madeleine says
Getting back into the smoothie routine would be nice. I would make some soup in it as well. I am in need of a new blender!
tami says
i can’t believe i haven’t thought to do the make-ahead smoothie packs before. i’m doing my best to eat breakfast everyday and this would be such an easy way to do it. i’d want to make these – especially the cherry version!
Aimee says
We love orange banana and mango smoothies in my house!! Yum!!
Debbie carr says
I would love to make soups since we have a long cold winter ahead.
Meryl Waters says
I love to make cashew cream, butter and quick soups for hectic weeknight dinners.
Jennifer says
We are a smoothie family!! I make a smoothie of some sort almost everyday for my son. It is the only way he will eat vegetables right now.
Abby says
I love adding greens to my smoothies! But cheap blenders don’t usually do the trick…
sheri says
the gamut….smoothies, soups, dressings, coulis…….YUM!
Heather says
Oh my gosh! I would love to have one of these to make smoothies in the morning! My 2 yr old little guy loves them!! Also a huge soup & salad girl and would love to try soups & dressings! Either way, thanks for the make-ahead tips! Great time saver!
Holly says
Your photos have me craving a smoothie even though it’s 20 degrees outside! Beyond smoothies, I’d really love to try making some of the things I never could in my cheap blender, like hummus and soups :)
connie raffa says
Emilie your pictures are so real i feel like I could drink the smoothie off of the computer. I would make the three smoothie recipies you have posted. Celebrate tomorrow. Connie
Jerry Gottheil says
Love your smoothie ideas. Hummus is something I’d like to try.
Lorrie Chiarello says
As a recent breast cancer survivor, I have become very interested in clean eating. I would love to
Add smoothies into my daily diet, so I think this would help!
BjustB says
I love the idea of the make-ahead smoothie bags! So many things to use a blender for, but I would definitely make smoothies and would also love to try making my own peanut and other nut butters with this one.
Tarah says
Smoothies of course! But I also like to blend frozen bananas with some milk to make ‘ice cream’ for my sons! Healthy dessert for the win!
Molly says
All sorts of smoothies!
Kaity says
Great ideas Emilie! And this blender sounds awesome. Would love to try it out! xx
margaret says
delicious, nutritious smoothies from a great blender. what could be better?!
Jennifer Caskie says
Smoothie, 1/2 banana, flax seeds, blueberries, strawberries, almond milk.
stephani says
Love the idea to freeze in bags, and then pull out! Cherry Berry for me!
joel says
Would love to make a peanut butter, kale, and nut milk smoothie in a top-quality blender! Would also use it for blender hollandaise sauce for special brunches.
Kaylin@EnticingHealthyEating says
What wouldn’t I like to make! Smoothies, hummus, black bean brownies, my bourbon blender muffins…
Nancy says
Pesto !
Monica says
I would love to be able to make better quality smoothies. I have 2 active young swimmers in the family and they love their smoothies before practice. The make ahead bags are a great idea for them to just grab and make on their own!
Dave says
I would love to make soups and of course some wonderful smoothies. Thanks for your ideas.
Sonia says
Would love to make nut butters, larabars, and smoothies. Perfect timing on this giveaway…I am currently looking for a new blender to do all these things!
Nancy Farmer says
To balance a healthy diet of soups and smoothies, I’d use my Wolf Gourmet blender to whip up huge batches of margaritas! Good for my spirit and my street cred. Plus, vitamin C in limes.