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March 31st, 2012

March 31st, 2012
Vitamix Heaven

Smoothies are new to me — but it was an instant love when I partnered with a Vitamix — the newest piece of equipment in my batterie de cuisine. It unleashes my creative powers; in a trice I can whiz up a blend of blueberries, mango, anything in fruit line, with a little kefir or creamy Greek-style yoghurt. Dollop of honey — maybe. Voilá! Lunch. And when feeling less than virtuous, a blob of vanilla bean ice cream joins the ingredient list. (That’s when I think of my Dad who’d treat himself to a homemade malted milk using his Oster blender. He always shared.) The family tradition carries on with me and my Vitamix. But I have yet to brave a smoothie made with kale or wheat grass, but today, in a fit of bravado and cheapsterism inspired by a recent article I read about just how much food we THROW AWAY every day, I made soup with Madame Vitamix. Wow. She sure is a hot little number. Instead of sending the beetroot tops to the compost heap, I picked ‘em over, threw them (about two cups worth) in the blender jug along with a cup of chicken broth, half an apple, a quarter of a small onion, garlic clove, salt and pepper. Whizzed all on High till the steam issued forth, then added a half cup of half-and-half, and a handful of instant mash potato. Borscht of sorts. Not half bad.
Maybe next time I’ll try that kale recipe.

Tags: beets., Borscht, Vitamix recipes