Healthy Ways to Use a Vitamix: The Vitamix blenders are among the many available. When it comes to slicing, grinding, compressing, and, of course, blending, Vitamix blenders are renowned for their powerful versatility.
Despite the fact that a Vitamix may cost a bit more than a standard countertop blender, many individuals believe that its multipurpose kitchen capabilities are well worth the price.
You’ve likely heard that a Vitamix is capable of more than making smoothies, but you may not know where to start. Want to use this appliance to its full potential? Here are some of the inventive ways you can use your Vitamix to prepare nutritious meals, sides, and treats. Here are defining of 10 Healthy Ways to Use a Vitamix.
10 Healthy Ways to Use a Vitamix
Dips
The time when legumes were manually mashed to make hummus is over. Streamline the preparation of these heart-healthy sauces by allowing the Vitamix to do the work you would have performed with a fork or pestle.
Try blending together a distinctive roasted red pepper lentil hummus for simple preparation.
Pesto is another spread that can be made substantially quicker in a Vitamix! (In truth, pesto derives from the Italian verb pestare, which means to pound or pulverize.) Consult this pesto made with verdant greens as a starting point.
Blender Pancakes and Waffles
Have you encountered the enchanting world of pancakes and waffles made in a blender? You may never want to revert to mixing batter by hand in a basin after acquiring this skill.
Pour the mixture directly onto a griddle or waffle maker after blending all of the ingredients in a blender until thoroughly combined.
Even firm ingredients, such as grains or flax seeds, are incorporated into the mixture to create a fluffy, silky end product. Do not lose out on our simple but delectable Greek yogurt pancakes made with a blender.
Soups
When preparing a container of hot broth, a blender is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, given sufficient time, the friction created by a Vitamix’s high-speed blades can actually heat broth ingredients to an agreeable temperature.
Just keep in mind that your Vitamix won’t necessarily cook all ingredients; it’s best to steam, roast, or sauté vegetables and other firm foods beforehand.
To heat a pureed mixture of vegetables, herbs, and broth—perhaps a creamy broccoli ginger soup—blend on high for approximately ten minutes, or until the soup begins to simmer.
Obviously, cold stews are another option with this appliance. In the Vitamix, you may use any refrigerated ingredients that you wish to puree into soup.
Smoothies, Smoothie Bowls, and Protein Shakes
Smoothies are likely the most apparent item to prepare with a Vitamix. Blending fruits and vegetables with other ingredients such as yogurt, juice, and nut butters is a quick and simple method to increase your daily fiber and nutrient intake. In addition, smoothies are portable, making them an ideal on-the-go refreshment.
Have some additional leisure for a sit-down meal? Make it a smoothie dish by including granola, sunflower seeds, or banana slices.
Consider using your Vitamix to make high-protein smoothies for a light meal replacement or a satisfying post-workout refreshment. (It comes as no surprise that multiple Vitamix models make our list of the finest blenders for these smoothies.) Craft the ideal formula with healthful proteins such as whey powder, pea protein, or brown rice protein.
Purees and Sauces
Purees and condiments are some of the dishes that blenders, and a Vitamix in particular, excel at preparing. Try some homemade applesauce as a nutritious refreshment. Many apple recipes in the Vitamix do not even require pre-cooking.
Or, if you have an abundance of garden-fresh tomatoes, prepare a tomato sauce for pasta. There is no limit to the fruits and vegetables that can be prepared as side dishes.
Salad Dressings and Mayo
Many store-bought salad condiments contain a high number of calories, added carbohydrates, and hidden sodium. Bring out the Vitamix if you’d rather make your own healthful vinaigrette with fresh ingredients.
Even salad dressings benefit from a spin in this blender. Its high-speed blades emulsify the oils and vinegars to a uniform consistency that cannot be achieved by stirring or agitating.
Once you have mastered the art of salad dressings, you can take your skills to the next level by making your own mayonnaise in a Vitamix. After all, mayonnaise is merely an emulsified mixture of egg yolks, oil, and a few other basic ingredients. Utilize heart-healthy olive oil as the foundation for a nutrient-rich sandwich spread.
Homemade Baby Food
Even your little one can reap the benefits of a high-powered blender in the home. Making your own baby food allows you oversight over exactly what goes into your infant’s mouth—and what doesn’t. A Vitamix can grind cooked fruits, veggies, and even meats into a consistency that’s just right for spoon-feeding.
Juice and Other Beverages
A juice cleanse may not be a long-term solution for health or weight loss, but incorporating homemade beverages into your diet can add vitamins and minerals in an easy-to-drink package.
For instance, drinking homemade cherry juice may enhance heart health, promote improved sleep, and reduce inflammation.
The secret to creating a delicious beverage in a Vitamix is to blend the ingredients long enough to achieve a thin, drinkable consistency. Or, if you prefer your juice to be free of vegetable peels, strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer or nut milk bag.
Crushing and Grinding
Sometimes the specialty ingredients called for in recipes are not as unique as they appear. Not enough oat or almond flour to make muffins? Flour can be made from flaked cereals or whole almonds using a powerful blender. In contrast, superfine sugar is simply table sugar that has been broken down into smaller crystals, a task easily accomplished with a few revolutions of the Vitamix.
This blender can easily crush ice for a carafe of antioxidant-rich iced tea or a tumbler of refreshing water.
Healthy Desserts
Finally, the Vitamix can be used to create healthier desserts that satiate a sweet appetite. This fast appliance produces banana-based “nice” desserts, frozen yogurts, and puddings with less sugar. The highlight? Numerous recipes do not call for additional dishes, so there is minimal cleaning.