Apple, Carrot & Celery Soup

We get a lot of questions about making soups in the Vitamix and Blendtec blenders. Although it’s a bit of a parlor trick (we can think of much more efficient ways to heat food beside friction) we thought we’d publish this recipe anyway!

Ingredients:
6″ piece of celery
6″ piece of carrot
1 apple with peal, cored & halved (use Jonagold or other crisp, sweet-tart apple)
1 dime-sized piece of fresh ginger
1/2 tablespoons fresh basil (or 1/4 teaspoon dry)
1 extra large (10g) vegetable bouillon cube
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
pinch of cayenne
salt to taste
handful of french bread* (3/4 to 1 cup)
2 cups of hot water

Directions:
This recipe works best with a variable-speed blender like the Vitamix VS or the Blendtec HP3A.

Place all ingredients in the container, in the order listed. Secure lid. Turn on blender at the lowest speed, gradually increase to highest speed. Process about 60 seconds until steaming.

* Bread is used as a thickener in this soup recipe. French bread is preferred because of it’s mild taste. It thickens without dramatically affecting the flavor.

Fresh Tomato Salsa – A Vitamix Demo Favorite

Fresh salsa are great for dips, toppings for egg dishes, tacos, enchiladas and broiled fish. And salsas are a clever way to get more servings of fruits and vegetables.

Ingredients:
1/2 small jalapeno or serrano chili pepper
3 Roma tomatoes
1/8 small white onion
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro
juice from 1/2 small lemon (you can substitute fresh lime juice)
salt to taste

Directions:
This recipe works best with a variable-speed blender like the Vitamix VS or the Blendtec HP3A.

With the blender container empty, secure the out portion of the two-part lid. Turn on and set speed to #6 or #7. Drop in jalapeno pepper to finely chop. Turn off the blender. Add the rest of the ingredients to the container. Run on speed #1 using the tamper to stir ingredients into the blades for about 30 seconds. Leave chunky; don’t overprocess!

Variations:
- Add a little green pepper and some Lawrey’s seasoned pepper to the recipe.
- Leave out the onion and use only 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Add a tomatillo, a small green bell pepper and a garlic clove.
- Add one of the following: 1/2 avocado, 1/2 carrot, 1/4 red bell pepper, 1/3 cup corn, 1/3 cup canned green chilies.

Herbed Tofu Dip

Healthy tofu is a “stealth” ingredient in this flavorful herbed dip. Serve with crackers, french bread or as a dip for raw vegetables. Cottage cheese is can also be used as a substitute for tofu.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 oz firm low-fat tofu
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 cup parsley
3/4 cup fresh mint
1 green onion
1/2 red bell pepper
1 clove garlic (peeled)
3 tablespoons capers
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Spice Blends Key West Style (or other lemon spice blend)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
This recipe works best with a variable-speed blender like the Vitamix VS.
Place all ingredients in the blender container and secure the lid. Select Variable #1, turn on. Increase speed to #3 or #4 for about 30 seconds until smooth, using tamper to help circulate ingredients through the blades (remember to do this with the cover on or you risk touching the blades and damaging your tamper). If necessary, stop during processing and run a spatula around the edge of the container to help circulate ingredients.

Apple Blackberry Blueberry Juice

This amazing violet colored nectar is more than just a pretty juice. The same substance (anthocyanidin) that gives blueberries and blackberries their depth of color is also a powerful antioxidant. But don’t let the scarcity of fresh berries keep you from enjoying some tasty, healthy juices and smoothies. Frozen berries are just as healthy and actually make a more flavorful juice because you don’t have to add ice to chill.

Ingredients:
2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Directions:
This recipe works best with a variable-speed blender like the Vitamix VS.
Place all ingredients in the blender container and secure the lid. Select Variable #1, turn on and quickly increase speed to #10. Switch to HIGH and run about 30 seconds until smooth. Switch to Variable #1 and process for 10 seconds. Makes about 3 cups.

Vanilla Almond Milk

A creamy and delicious drink, Vanilla Almond Milk is also great on granola cereal. Blend and store in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:
2 cups nonfat milk
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
This recipe works best with a variable-speed blender like the Vitamix VS.
Place all ingredients in the blender container and secure the lid. Select Variable #1 and quickly increase speed to #10. Switch to HIGH and run about 30-45 seconds until smooth. Chill/store in refrigerator. Shake or stir well before serving.

Carrot Supreme Juice Drink

Not only does this drink taste great but it also looks good, with and orange base and swirls of pink and red running through it.

Ingredients:
1 small beet
1 pear
1 fuji apple
1 small piece of ginger root (2 inches max)
2 inches of salsify root
4 celery stalks
10-12 carrots
1 small parsnip

Directions:
Juice ingredients in your juicer and juice one at a time.

Tips:
Make sure you add the ginger and salsify root in between the other ingredients (i.e. not last). Most juicers have an easier time when these are followed by apples or carrots.
Remember that ginger has a very strong flavor. A little goes a long way!

Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie

If you like peanut butter and bananas, you’ll love this smoothie.

Ingredients:
1 banana
1 tablespoon of natural unsalted peanut butter (to taste)
1 1/2 cup of soy milk (to taste)
Dash of vanilla extract (to taste)
1 cup of ice

Directions:
Add ingredients into blender and blend until smooth.

Variation:
Add 1 tablespoon of hemp powder before blending.