Favourite Kitchen Tools Series
“The best twenty bucks I have ever spent” applies to this small kitchen tool. This time, I will review a somewhat smaller appliance – powerful in its versatility and convenience – the hand blender, otherwise known as the Immersion Blender in my series, Favourite Kitchen Tools.
I now prepare many more pureed soups and sauces since the purchase of my immersion blender. I utilize the blender in the production of a wide range of food items, for example, baby food, pureed soups, pan sauces, applesauce, and morning breakfast drinks. This is a sequel to the recent post regarding my favourite kitchen tools (see “Time Saver, Money Saver, Food Saver”)
- Immersion Blender – A favourite Kitchen Tool
Favourite Kitchen Tools – My Immersion Blender
The majority of models are electric, although there are cordless immersion blenders available for household use. The blender is often a two-part wand; the handle (housing the motor), and the blender portion (the blade) enclosed in a protective guard. On the better models, the blender part of the wand can be easily removed for the purposes of cleaning. Commercial kitchen models range in size and power, which is why we often heard, “who’s got the boat motor?!” in the Club where I worked as a pastry chef.
If you have ever had the experience of ladling hot soup into a food processor or blender to puree, you will no doubt agree that it can be hazardous, messy and awkward. The immersion blender can be inserted directly into the cooking pot to puree the contents safely, quickly and efficiently. Storage space required for this appliance is minimal. Typically, when purchased, there is a mount included with the appliance, making it easy to position in an otherwise unusable spot on the pantry wall.
There is no doubt that an immersion blender will become a favourite in your kitchen tool collection. For your first experiment with your new immersion blender or the dusty one in the cupboard, try this recipe for an easy vegetarian soup puree called Tomato Dill Soup. You can find the link to recipe below. It is delicious served either hot or cold.
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The finished Tomato Dill Soup
Other Urbnspice Recipes you might enjoy:
French Canadian Pea Soup with Smoked Sea Salt Garnish
Home Welcoming Hearty Black Bean Soup
Urb’n’Spice Books:
Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series
You can find me on social media (see links below) – just be sure to tag @urbnspice and #urbnspice so I am sure to see it. Enjoy!
Denise Paré-Watson
The Urb’n’Spice Chef
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Much appreciated for this information and for sharing!
Thanks! I just bought a food saver thanks to your advice and have just spent many happy hours packaging soups and fruit into individual sized servings. My freezer looks so much tidier! Which do you prefer to use – food saver rolls or bags? I just used up the samples provided with my machine and need to buy more. And, maybe I’ll shop for an immersion blender too.
Hi, Yvonne! Thank you very much for visiting my website and for your kind comments. You will find using a food saver to be an ultimate space saver in your freezer. In answer to your question, my preference is food saver bags over the rolls for consistency in size and portioning, although the smaller (narrow bag opening) rolls are very handy for determining individual size portions. We use them for freezing prepared two-portion sized taco seasoned beef for salads, for instance, for a “meal in minutes” on busy nights. Don’t forget – you can also use your food saver for non-frozen goodies such as storing legumes, rice, and seeds and for freezing nuts into manageable portions. Come and visit the website often – look for more posts on favourite tools in the future. Let me know how the immersion blender shopping goes.
Happy Cooking!
Hi there!
I was wondering if you had a specific brand you would recommend? I am on a budget but I want to make sure I get a good quality immersion blender. I have noticed they range in price from $9.99-$109.99, would it make a big difference If I pick the cheaper one? Also, Is it necessary to have more than one speed?
Thanks so much for your help!!
-Meghan P
Hello, Meghan!
Immersion blenders are definitely a kitchen tool that can range in price. The immersion blender that I have owned for many years is actually quite simple. It is used frequently in my busy kitchen. As mentioned in the post, it was the best $20 I have ever spent. It all depends on the gizmos on this handy gadget and the tasks you intend to use it for. I would recommend looking through consumer reports to get an idea of what ratings the more popular brands rank as far as durability, power, and design. Keep an eye on the flyers at this time of year, and you may find a deal like I did at the time of my immersion blender purchase! (or add it to your wish list 🙂 From my experience, a good quality immersion blender is reasonable in price, and offers durability and reliability without the need for added attachment extras that you may never use.
Best of luck with your research and purchase. Please write back about your immersion blender adventures!
Thanks for helping me to understand this information
Really nice recipe for Tomato Dill Soup you have posted, this one looks so nice. I am a novice, how easy would you say this is to make?