Cookaholics Bulletin Board

I grind quite a few grains in my VitaMix. I believe the difference in the two containers is the regular one pulls the ingredients into the center while the dry one pushes them out. Even using the dry container, though, I have a hard time getting rice flour fine enough. Deb

So, I just bought the 5200...I don't have time to play with it today, hopefully tomorrow. If any of you have any great recipes to share, feel free...

Make a smoothie for breakfast. I use frozen berries, some frozen pineapple, mango, banana, etc. really, just whatever you like. I then add yogurt and OJ. I find that because the VM is so powerful, it's preferred to use frozen fruit, although beware the brain freeze when you go to eat it. Also, put in your liquids first...it will help to pull the frozen materials into the blade. I now regularly freeze fruits in season so I can make smoothies whenever I want. And use the tamper to push the frozen stuff into the blades.

Next up, make your favorite vinaigrette and watch it stay emulsified for days.

I'd also make an adobo, or something similar. As already pointed out, the VM is God's gift to chile-based sauces...no straining required. I now make things like mole sauce regularly because the VM has taken all of the annoying straining out of the equation.

Make parsley (or spinach) water and make green pasta.

There are so many things I just automatically reach for the VM to do. Once you get the hang of its capabilities, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Congrats!

Amy

I also use mine for smoothies all the time, and add things to them for great nutritional value, besides fresh fruit. Two things I often use are leftover tofu (we all know how there is usually some leftover, and we stick it in the fridge in water, and it gets wasted, which I never do now) and chia seeds. I also mentioned in a previous thread about using the chia seeds in gazpacho as a thickener. I got this idea from knowing how much it thickened smoothies, esp. the leftover. I just put a couple tb of chia in about 3/4c water, pulse it briefly in the VM, and let it sit while preparing the rest of the stuff. As for the leftovers, I usually make a bunch, then pour some into a container to store in the fridge, before adding the ice to the one serving amount - this way, the leftover doesn't get diluted with melted ice, and I just pour another serving into the VM, add ice, and that's it!

Something I have found useful in getting smoothies and other thick blends out of the container is a narrow rubber spatula. It seems to get the stuff out easier from under and beside the blades than the standard 2" ones. I got 6 of them from a RR supply place, and always have two in the kitchen (only destroyed one, in all this time!).

As for the green pasta, I have blended various herbs with eggs, to make green egg pasta, something you can get hooked on!

As Amy said, you will wonder how you lived w/o it!

Like Dave, I use a narrow silicone spatula to get everything out of the container. Much easier that way...

Amy

Thanks for all the hints. I make protein smoothies almost daily, so I am looking forward to smoother smoothies!

My Costco here in Canada has the 5200 w/ DVD and cookbook for $499. If I buy might order from a US site, our dollar is pretty much at par so the $100 difference is annoying.

One thing I typically do when making a smoothie of veggies, especially leafy green ones....I always add an apple ( no need to peel or core, just quarter) to add a little sweet. I also throw in a small piece of ginger and sometimes cinnamon. It all depends on what I have on hand. I also love to put a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt for added creaminess.

thanks again for all the hints...I'd love some "recipes" for green smoothies. Today I had only a few minutes to play with it, so just made my regular smoothy with berries, almonds, 1/2 apple, yoghurt and protein powder. But what was really nice was not having to peel or trim the apple! It turned out perfectly and was a snap to clean; much easier than my old blender. Also, I had been warned about how noisy they are, but it actually seemed a bit quieter than my old one. I think I made a good choice!

They used to have a dedicated, bilingual rep for Canadians who was eager to smooth out problems like money differences in price by adding in this and that. It's worth a try. I believe the following will get you started:

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