8
RECIPE TIPS
Blender Tips –
The simple recipes that follow include some old Cuisinart favorites
as well as some creative combinations that are sure to please your
friends and family. Thanks to the superior Ice Crushing power of the
SmartPower Basics
™
Electronic Blender, you’ll also be able to make
delicious frozen drinks.
Chopping Nuts: Place 1/2 cup shelled nuts in the blender jar and
cover blender. Set on Speed 6 and pulse until desired chop is
achieved. Pulse fewer times for coarsely chopped nuts. For best
results process small amounts, 1/2 cup or less.
Bread, Cookie or Cracker Crumbs: Break or cut bread, cookies or
crackers into pieces 1/2-inch or less in size. For best bread results,
use day old bread (drier bread works best). Place bread, cookie or
cracker pieces in blender jar. Set on Speed 12 and Pulse to chop,
then blend continuously until desired texture of crumbs is achieved.
For best results process 1 cup or less at a time.
Crushing Ice: Add up to 10 standard ice cubes to the blender jar.
Cover. Press the Ice Crush button, using short bursts, 10 times,
or until cubes are the consistency of snow. Turn blender off. Pulse
fewer times if coarsely chopped ice is desired.
Grating Fresh Citrus Zest: For best results, blender jar and cutting
assembly must be clean and dry. Remove zest from fruit in strips
using a vegetable peeler; use a sharp knife to remove the bitter
white pith from the underside of the zest. Process no more than
8 strips at a time (zest of 1 medium lemon). Cut strips in half.
Add strips and 1teaspoon sugar or coarse salt (from recipe) to
the blender jar. Cover blender jar. Set on Speed 12; blend for
15 to 20 seconds. Turn blender off.
Baby Food: Combine 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, fruit or meat with
3 – 4 tablespoons liquid (water, milk, fruit juice, broth, or cooking
liquid) in the blender jar. Set on Speed 16. Blend for 15 to 20
seconds until a smooth purée is reached. Add more liquid as
necessary and process further until desired texture is reached.
For “junior” type foods, set on Speed 16 and use the Pulse. Always
consult with your pediatrician/family physician concerning the best
foods for your baby and when to introduce new foods to his/her diet.
Grinding Hard Cheese: Cut cheese into 1/2-inch pieces; remove
all outer hard rind. Place cheese in blender jar. Set on Speed 12.
Pulse to chop cheese, 10 – 12 times, then blend until desired grind
is reached. For best results, grind no more than 3 ounces of
cheese at a time
Grinding Spices: For best results, blender jar and cutting
assembly must be clean and dry. Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of
spices/seeds/peppercorns to blender jar. Set on Speed 14, Pulse
to break up, then blend for 20 to 40 seconds. Turn blender off.
Whipping Cream: If possible, chill blender jar and cutting
assembly in refrigerator for 15 minutes. Add 1 cup heavy or
whipping cream to blender jar. Cover jar. Set on Speed 2 and
Pulse (1 second pulses) 20 to 30 times until cream is thickened.
Do not over blend – bits of butter will begin to form.) If desired add
1 tablespoon sugar and 1 - 2 teaspoons of vanilla or other
flavoring. Consistency with be that of a thickened, but not fluffy
whipped cream and is most appropriate for topping desserts or
coffee drinks.
When using the blender to purée hot mixtures such as creamed
soups and baby foods, strain the solids from the liquid, reserving
the cooking liquid. Then place the cooked solids in the blender jar
along with1/2 - 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Use the Pulse
button to chop, then blend until desired consistency/purée is
reached.
Allow hot foods to cool slightly before blending to prevent steam
build-up which may cause the lid to lift up from the blender jar.
Keep your blender out on the counter within easy reach and you
will be surprised how often you will use it.
Keep ice cubes made of juices, yogurt, milk or fruit purées on hand
to substitute for plain ice to make smoothies and frosty beverages
without diluting the drink.
For quick cleaning, add 1 cup of warm water and a drop of liquid
dish soap to the blender jar. Cover and blend on Speed 10 for
30 to 40 seconds. Discard the soapy water and rinse blender
thoroughly before the next use.
02CU13208 CB-18 Series IB 9/18/02 11:59 AM Page 8
