Recipe Tips, Blender Tips | Cuisinart CB-18BKSS specs

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 Bar Basics™ 18-Speed 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 1 teaspoon 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 hard outer 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 overblend – 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 with 1⁄2 -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 buildup 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.