We all know what an immersion blender is, and many use it when we are in the kitchen. This appliance is practical, useful, and above all, versatile. Just press the power button to activate the blades or any other accessory attached to the rod.
How to use it?
Let’s start from the beginning to find out the type of use we can make of this device. Let’s start with the assembly. We need to connect the motor body, which is the most important part of the tool, to the blades. The two parts must be screwed on well. Then we move on to connect the appliance to the power outlet using the electric cable.
Do not choose an outlet too close, or it will be difficult to work with your hand blender. The wire could, in fact, act as an obstacle. Our advice is to use a good support base and connect the immersion stick blender handheld to a farther outlet in order to move better.
Once connected to the power, all that remains is to insert the blender into the container in which we have inserted the ingredients that we are going to blend. Warning: your appliance must be completely immersed in the container and ingredients to prevent all food from splashing on the kitchen walls.
Just press the button to start the hand blender: there are models equipped with only one speed and others more equipped and with various levels of speed and power. If you are dealing with more consistent and solid foods, the operation may take a few minutes before arriving at a smooth and lump-free preparation.
The immersion blender must be moved up and down in order to obtain an amalgamated and uniform composition. Avoid blending your ingredients for a very long time: the engine could overheat. Take some breaks during the operation.
Once finished, also unplug the appliance from the power socket. Be careful not to use your appliance when it is not immersed in the container. It could cause damage or even injury.
Some tips on use
There are rules to follow when using a hand blender. Nothing difficult, but there are precautions that must be respected so that our appliance can last a long time. The blades of the appliance must be completely immersed in the liquid, but not the motor body. In this case, the engine components could burn out, and the appliance could short-circuit. You don’t want to get a shock? Only the part where the blades are placed must be inserted into the compound; the motor body must always be positioned above.
The hand blender should not be used with non-stick pans or glass jars. The blades could damage both pans, even causing injuries. The glass could splinter, and some residue could end up in our ingredients. The hand blender must always be used in the container supplied or, in any case, in stainless steel containers.
The hand blender should always be unplugged when you decide to clean it. During this operation, the appliance motor must never be put under water. It is advisable to use a damp cloth or a sponge and a dish detergent. The stick of the hand blender can be washed with the help of hot water.
Pay attention to the cleaning of the blades. These accessories are very sharp: you have to be careful not to cut yourself. You should proceed calmly and use a damp cloth.
The hand blender should always be stored in a safe space. Better to keep it out of the reach of children. It is always an accessory equipped with blades and therefore dangerous if used improperly. Our suggestion is to store it in a tall kitchen cabinet.
Homemade smoothies and mayonnaise
Ready to enjoy your smoothie? With the hand blender, you can prepare tasty smoothies that will make everyone’s mouth water. Let’s take a stainless steel container, always better if tall and narrow; inside, we pour fruit, yogurt, and fruit juice that can cover the ingredients. We blend everything with our kitchen tools. The smoothie is ready!
Now let’s move on to the preparation of homemade mayonnaise. Always better than the already packaged products that we find on supermarket shelves. This preparation takes a little longer than others, but the result will amaze you. In addition, with the help of the hand blender, the times are reduced by a lot. Seeing is believing!
Here is what we will do. We take a stainless steel container with an elongated and narrow shape, and inside it, we put two egg yolks, a tablespoon of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a tablespoon of mustard. We take our hand blenders and blend all the food. In the course of the operation, we add a cup of olive oil, but we do it gradually.
Our main goal will be to get a sauce that is well blended. This is why the oil must be added step by step. If the mayonnaise gives you the impression that it is still thick, then you can add a tablespoon of water. Even something more if you consider it appropriate.
Sauces and pesto: here’s how to prepare them with an immersion blender
The hand blender is a valuable ally when we are in the kitchen and decide to serve a delicious sauce for lunch or dinner. If you don’t like lumps and want blended and smooth preparations, you can’t do without this kitchen tool. Here, you are in the right place to find out how to proceed.
We take tomatoes, onion, garlic, a little pepper, a pinch of salt, and pepper and pour it all into a stainless steel pot. We take our hand blender and put it into action, moving up and down until we get the degree of consistency we want. Of course, the quantity of ingredients changes according to the number of people and preferences.
The tomato should always be added at the end of the pot so that it is at the top of the bowl and is blended first. The liquids released by the tomatoes will make it easier to mix all the ingredients.
The hand blender should always be kept straight when in use. If you tilt the appliance too much, you risk making the ingredients in the pan splash everywhere.
Let’s now move on to preparing a pesto in a simple and quick way. This time we have to equip ourselves with a tall and narrow container in which to insert basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The container must always be in stainless steel. Always keep the blender straight and mix the ingredients, going up and down with the appliance.
Here are the precise ingredients we will need: two cups of fresh basil leaves, two cloves of garlic, a quarter cup of pine nuts, 2/3 thirds of a cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Some hand blenders are also equipped with other accessories: there are whisks that are used to give a smoother consistency to our sauces. In the presence of lumps, however, it is always recommended to use the classic hand blender.
Fresh tomato soup
This quick basic recipe for fresh tomato soup is on the table within 30 minutes and is guaranteed to work.
Ingredients
- 750 gr Roma tomatoes (in parts)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 small can of tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 750 water
- 1 vegetable stock tablet
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Splash of cooking cream
- fresh basil
Preparation
Place a stockpot on the stove and fry the onion and garlic in the olive oil for about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and fry for 5 minutes. Add the water and stock cube and stir in the tomato paste. Cook for a few more minutes.
Now puree everything with a stick blender and let the tomato soup boil for a few minutes. Taste to see if the soup needs a little more salt or pepper. Serve the tomato soup on plates or bowls. Pour a small dash of cream into each plate or bowl. Garnish the soup with fresh basil, if desired.
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