Post on 11-Sep-2021
THEUltimateBLENDERCOOKBOOKFast,HealthyRecipesforEveryMealREBECCAMILLERFFRENCHPhotographybyJustinLanier
Tomyfamily,wholovesagoodlaughandgreatfood
Andtoallblenderloverslookingtowhirtheirwaytowholesomemeals
Contents1.BlenderBasics
2.NutMilksandFlours
AlmondMilk
BrownRiceMilk
HempSeedMilk
CoconutMilk
CoconutFlour
AlmondFlour
WhiteandTraditionalWholeWheatFlour
OatFlour
ChickpeaFlour
QuinoaFlour
WhiteRiceFlour
WhiteCornmeal
3.HealthyDrinks
CoolMintSlush
MangoandGreekYogurtFreeze
AMEnergyBooster
PureStrawberryBananaSmoothie
RevitalizingRawGreenJuice
BeetandCarrotJuiceTonic
CranberryOrangeFrappe
PumpkinSpiceSmoothie
CoconutAlmondSmoothie
RefreshingPineappleGingerJuice
WatermelonCucumberAguaFresca
4.Breakfasts
BuckwheatWaffleswithTwo-BerryCoulis
SweetSpeltFlourCrêpes
ChiaSeedPancakes
Two-BiteRaspberryFinanciers
SpinachEggCups
PoachedEggswithFriedTomatoes
ZucchiniAppleMuffins
TemptingBananaCoconutLoaf
5.NutButtersandFruitSpreads
CreamyCashewButter
DarkChocolateHazelnutSpread
MaplePecanButter
SweetPistachioButter
SmoothAlmondButter
RichCoconutButter
WhippedCitrusZestButter
QuickStrawberrySpread
CardamomPeachSpread
6.DipsandSalsas
FreshPineappleMangoSalsa
SimplyGuac
PiquantTomatoandChipotleSalsa
RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDip
IrresistibleBlueCheeseDip
Super-EasyEdamameDip
CoolingCucumberTzatziki
MushroomPâté
SmokyHummuswithArtichokes
BasicAïoli
7.Soups
VerdantSpringPeaSoup
AutumnSquashandPearSoup
HeartyKaleandPotatoSoup
ChickenTortillaSoup
SpicyChickpeaSoup
ComfortingBroccoliLeekSoup
CreamyCauliflowerFennelSoup
GreenGazpacho
8.Salads
SpinachSaladwithBlueberryVinaigrette
ChoppedKaleSalad
ClassicCaesarSaladwithHomemadeGarlicCroutons
BibbLettucewithGrapefruitShallotVinaigrette
SummerCornandAvocadoSaladwithCilantroButtermilkDressing
CarrotQuinoaSalad
FrenchLentilSaladwithRoastedTomatoVinaigrette
Go-ToHerbVinaigrette
9.BlenderBurgers
Family-FavoriteSalmonBurgerswithQuickPickledCukes
PorkBurgerSliderswithTangyBarbecueSauce
HerbedGoatCheeseTurkeyBurgers
LambPitaBurgers
Super-SatisfyingBeetandChickpeaBurgers
ZestyBlackBeanBurgers
QuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers
10.MainDishes
CaribbeanShrimpFritterswithSpicyAïoli
SpinachChickenEnchiladaswithAnchoChileSauce
LemonTarragonChicken
ChickenTikkaMasala
RoastedTurkeyBreastwithChipotleSauce
SlicedSkirtSteakwithChimichurriSauce
MarinatedPorkTenderloinwithCranberryRelish
SpinachPestoSaucewithRigatoni
ArtichokeRicottaManicottiwithSneak-It-InVeggieSauce
Vietnamese-StyleSummerRollswithPeanutDippingSauce
11.Vegetables
FrenchGreenBeanswithWalnutMisoButter
BakedEggplantPuree
HerbedCarrot-ParsnipPuree
AsianSlaw
CrispyZucchiniFries
IndianSpicedSpinach
CreamyCauliflowerMash
FreshCornCakes
RoastedRootVeggieswithRomescoSauce
12.Desserts
LimeTartletswithCoconutCrusts
TartLemonSquares
FudgyGluten-FreeBrownies
WholesomeChocolateMousse
BlueberryCheesecakeBites
Gluten-FreeRaspberrySwirlCupcakes
ChaiTeaCake
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies
EasyWhippedCream
RoastedStrawberryIceCream
JustBananasIceCream
CherryliciousFrozenYogurt
SweetPeachIceCreamwithGlazedPecans
Acknowledgments
IntroductionWhileworkingonthisbook,Iwasoftenaskedquestionslike,“Whytheblender?
Isn’titeasiertomixthingsbyhand?Don’tyoufindithardtoclean?”Theshortanswer:No.
Thelonganswer:Ablendercangreatlyassistahomecookwithchoppingvegetables,mixingmarinadesformaincourses,andliterallywhippingupawholesomedessert—allinminutes.Ablendermakesmealprepquickandeasy.It’sahelpfultoolforturningfresh,local ingredients into healthful meals—and not just liquid ones. You can greatly boostyournutritionalintakebyaddinggreens,nuts,andsuperfoodstoyourdietonadailybasis.Andthebestpart:Nutritiouscanequaldelicious!
Yousee,fromthethirdgradetheblenderwastheoneappliancethatIdidn’thavetoaskpermissiontouse.IwasfreetocreateasIpleased.AndsoIdid.Andhavecontinuedtodoso foralmost30years,developingrecipes thatgivebangfor theirbuck—creativecombinations of natural foods that are nutrient-dense, enhance energy, and, mostimportant,cometogetherquickly.
Myfirstforaysintoblendinginvolvedlotsofmilkshakesandsalsas—perfectafter-schoolsnacksforthetweenyears.Duringmycollegedays,myblenderwasprimarilyanicecrusher(andprobablysawmorealcohol thanitshouldhave!).AsImaturedandgotmarried,myblendertookonamoresophisticatedrole,blendingvinaigrettesandpureeingsauces.
Thenbabymadethreeandtheblenderworkedtirelesslypulverizingvegetablesintohealthy,preservative-freemushforournewaddition.Alongcamebabytwo,andlifegotevenmore hectic, but our blender did not give up on us, nor we on it. Its blades stillwhirred,nowaccommodatingfour.Wewhippedupeverythingseeminglypossibleinourblender:crêpes,muffins,meatlessburgers,andmore.
Whenthesmoothiephenomenonhit,wewerealreadythere,blendingaway.Ifoundways to incorporatemore foods rich in fiber,antioxidants,andheart-friendly fattyacidsintoeverydish.
In thesepages, Iwant tosharemyloveofblendingandshowhowthismiraculousmachine can effortlessly aid you in the quest for healthier eating. I admit, I’m a foodfanatic.IobsessabouteverybitemyfamilyandIingest.Iwanteachmorseltomeltinourmouths,leavingushappyandsatisfied.Ihopetheserecipesrelaymysenseofexcitementaboutfood:brightcolors,juicytextures,diverseflavors.
Eating shouldmake you feel good—physically and socially—and the blender canhelp get you there … fast. It minimizes prep time, allows you to easily make largequantitiesforacrowd,andtrulyisacinchtoclean.
You, too, can turn your blender into a kitchenworkhorse,makingmeals a time torecharge,relax,andconnect.
HealthyMadeSimpleWhatisthekeytosuccessfulblending?Fresh,wholesomeingredients.Thefresherthe
produce,grain,nut,orotherfoodstuff,thetruertheflavorandthemorecompletethenutrition.Youareincontrolofeveryingredientyouputintheblender,sotheresultisuptoyou.Youcanreplacestore-boughtfoodslikemuffinsandsoupswithhomemade,chemical-freeequivalentsandswapsyrupybottledsaladdressingsforsugarlessblends.
AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControl(CDC),only32.5percentofAmericanseat the recommended two or more servings of fruits per day. The number drops evenlower, to 26.3 percent, for those who eat the recommended three or more servings ofvegetablesperday.*Thatmeansalotofusaren’teatingourfruitsandveggies!
Enter the blender. Large amounts of fruits and vegetables can be blended tomanageablesizesforeasyconsumption,andtheblender’sbladesbreakdowncellwallsofhard-to-digestrawplant-basedfoodsforbetterabsorption.
Itmaybetemptingtoloadupsmoothieswithsugarorsauceswithcream,butthere’sno needwhen blending. Fruits lend sweetnesswhile nuts and healthy oils can create avelvetytexture.
This collection of recipes may serve as a user manual for beginning blenders, aspringboardforthoselookingtoincorporatemorefruitsandvegetablesintheirdiets,oraresourceofnewideasforthosealreadyproficientwiththeirblenders.
Thegoalwiththeserecipesistousetheblendertoitsfullestpotential.Itspowerisuncanny.Avortexisactuallycreatedinsidetheblenderjar,whichbringsmetothesecond,third,andfourthmostcrucialelementsofblending:Donotoverblend,donotoverblend,donotoverblend.IknowI’mbeingrepetitive,butthisshouldbecomeyourmantra.Iwillreiterate it throughout the book, but when a recipe says to pulse, really pulse. It’s sotemptingtogojustalittlemore,butafewextrasecondsofblendingandapotatosoupcango fromsatiny smooth togummyglue.Youcanalwaysblendmore,but it’sdifficult toreverse theeffectsofoverblendingwithoutstartingover,sogoslowly.Believeme, I’vehadtostartagainmorethanonce(mydogisalwayshappytosopupmymistakes,though;sheneverseemstomindthetexture!).
Myhopeisthatthisbookhelpsmaketheblenderyourbuddy,thatyou’llseeitasanapproachableassistanthelpingyoupreparetasty,healthymeals.Ialsohopetheserecipesbecomepartofyourdailyrepertoire,essentialsyouloveandgobacktoagainandagain.Usetheblender toexperiment,putgoodfoodonthe table,andget thingsdonefast,butmostofall—havefunwithit!
AWordAboutBlendersIuseaVitamixProfessionalSeries750,andIloveit.Tome,itistheBentleyof
blenders.IalsohaveanOsterblenderandtheNinjaUltimablender.Theybothdoafinejob,butIhaveadifficulttimeblendingupburgersintheOster,andtheNinjajustdoesn’thavethepoweroftheVitamix.NeithergrindsnutsandseedsasthoroughlyastheVitamix.
TheBlendtecand theVitamixareextremelycomparable.Theybothworkwell, it’sjustwhatbellsandwhistlesyouprefer.Blendtecisslightlymorecompactandfitsnicelyundercupboards;Vitamixblenderscomewithtampersforpushingingredientstowardtheblades;somehavepulsebuttons,butnotalldo.Taketimetocomparisonshopandyou’llfindtherightfit.Bothwilldoanexceptionaljob.
Thatsaid,powerblendersareextremelyexpensive.Thepayoff:healthynaturalfoodpreparedwithlittleeffort.Powerblendersarebuilttolastalifetime.Mostoftherecipesinthis book require a high-speed blender. Smoothies, salad dressings, andmarinadeswillworkwithconventionalblenders,butforthoselookingtoblendupdishesforeverymeal,you’llneedapowermachine.Considerthemoneyspentasaninvestmentinyourhealth,yourfuture,yourhappiness.*CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,“State-SpecificTrendsinFruitandVegetableConsumptionAmongAdults—UnitedStates,2000–2009,”MorbidityandMortalityWeeklyReport(September10,2010).
CHAPTER1BlenderBasicsAreyoureadytostartblending?Incorporatingblenderrecipesintoyourdailymeal
planwillmakeyourlifeeasier—andmakeyoufeelgoodtoo.Butwheretostart?
The first step:Look at your ownkitchen.What ingredients do youhave on hand?UsingtheblenderhasinspiredmetothinkdifferentlyaboutwhatIkeepinmycupboardsandfridge.Ihaveslowlyaddednewingredients tomyshelves—lotsofseeds,nuts,andwhole grains—and stockedmy fridgewith an array of fresh produce. The blender hasinspiredmetoconsumesuchawidervarietyoffruitsandvegetablesthaneverbefore.
There are also some important techniques to keep in mind when using a blender.Havingalighttouchandnotover-blendingisoftenthekeytosuccess.Remembertoworkwiththeblender,notagainstit.Theblenderdoesneedyourassistancesometimes—you’rea team. Actually we’re a team: you, me, and the blender. So let’s get to it and startblending!
AWell-StockedBlenderKitchen
EssentialsataGlance
INTHEPANTRYOilscold-pressedextra-virginoliveoil,cold-pressedextra-virgincoconutoil,
aroma-freecoconutoil,organiccanolaorgrapeseedoilVinegarsbalsamic,applecider(Bragg’s),whitewine,redwine,andricewine
vinegarsFlourswhitewholewheat,spelt,oat,lightbuckwheat,almondandcoconutfloursGrainsold-fashionedrolledoats,brownriceLegumeslentils,chickpeas,blackbeansNutsandSeedsalmonds,pecans,walnuts,cashews,flaxseeds,hempseeds,
pumpkinseeds,chiaseeds,quinoa,nutbuttersSweetenersrawhoney,maplesyrup,darkbrownsugar,organiccanesugar,
confectioners’sugarCannedgoodscoconutmilk,fire-roastedtomatoes,artichokehearts,beans,
chipotlesinadobe,pumpkinCartongoodsalmondmilk,organicchickenbrothSpicesandsuchMaldonsalt,koshersalt,cinnamon,coriander,cumin,ginger,
nutmeg,paprika,redpepperflakesBakingitemsbakingpowder,bakingsoda,purevanillaextract,unsweetened
cocoapowder,bittersweetchocolatechips,unsweetenedcoconut,dates,bakingspray,
xanthangum
INTHEFRIDGEOrganiceggs,butter,buttermilk,plainyogurt,ricottacheese,lemons,limes,Dijonmustard,freshherbs(cilantro,parsley,rosemary,thyme,basil),kaleandotherleafygreens
INTHEFREEZERIce,homemadechickenstock,berries
INTHEPRODUCEBINAvocados,onions,garlic,shallots,freshginger
TheNewBlenderKitchenSomeoftheingredientsinthisbookmaybenewtoyou—theyweretomejustafew
yearsback.Whilemylocalmarketcarriesmostingredientsusedinthisbook,whenIaskedthecashieriftheysoldchiaseeds,shemelodicallychimedback,“Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia?Aren’tthosesoldonTVwithaclaypet?”Andevenmyownmotherasked,“Canyougethighfromhempseeds?”
Mostoftheseitemsshouldbereadilyavailableatconventionalmarkets,butyoumayhavetosearchfartherafieldtofindanaturalfoodstoreoronlineretailer.
Budgetisahugeconsiderationwhenstockingyourcupboardswithorganic,naturalstaples. Healthy foods don’t come cheaply, so slowly build up your pantry. Add oils,grains, sweetenersandsuperfoodsasyouuse them.Noneed tobuyeverythingatonce.Oncepurchased, a littledoes seem togoa longway.Agood jarof rawhoneycan lastmonths. Buying in bulk is another money-saving option. And save even the smallestamountsof ingredients.Youneverknow,youmayjustneeda teaspoonofalmondflourtomorrow.
HEALTHYFATSANDOILS
I’velearnednottoshyawayfromfats.Ittookawhile,though.Growingupintimesoflow-fateverything,Ibelievedthatfatswerenothingbutharmful.However,notonlydofatsgiveflavorandrichtexturetofoods,manycanactuallybebeneficialtoyourhealth.Yourbodycravesfats,andwhenyoufeedittherightonesinmoderation,you’llfeelfullandsatisfied.Fatsalsoaidyourbodyinabsorbingfat-solublevitamins.
I’dbuycold-pressedextra-virgincoconutoilbythetruckloadifIcould.Ithasbeenshownthatthisfat,oncethoughtofasveryunhealthy,actsasanantibacterialagent,raisesthebody’smetabolism,andisrichinmedium-chainfattyacids,whichincreasethegoodHDL cholesterol level in the blood. It does have a slight flavor, but being the coconutloverIam,Ifinditenhancesmostdishes.
Coconutoilbecomesliquidat76°F,soitmayliquefyinyourcupboardonahotday—butdon’tworry,it’llsolidifyagainwhenitcoolsdown,withnoilleffectstotheoil.
Ifyou’renotafanofcoconutflavor,consideraroma-freecoconutoil,whichhasnotasteandisaparticularlygoodoilforfrying.IlikeOmegaNutritionandNutivabrands.
Becauseof itshigh smokingpoint,peanutoil,whichcontainsvaluableamountsofvitaminE,alsoworkswellforfrying.
Extra-virginoliveoil,showntolowertotalcholesterol,ismyothercan’t-live-withoutfat.Ievenuseitforpopcorn(coconutoilworkswonderswithpopcorn,too!).
OrganiccanolaorgrapeseedoilsarewhatIusewhenIneedacompletelyneutraloil.
Avocados, which are high in fiber and potassium, are another healthymonounsaturatedfatIuseoften.
VINEGARS
Balsamic,applecider,whitewine,redwine,andricewinearethebasicvinegarsIalwayskeepinstock.
MILKS
Forthosewhowanttosteerclearofdairy,theblendermakesiteasy.Homemadenutmilkscanbemadeinminutes.Almondandcoconutmilkaremyfavorites.Ifyoupurchasenondairymilksatthestore,lookforthosewiththefewestingredientspossible.Andtrytoavoidcoconutmilkinthecarton.InsteadbuyBPA-freecannedcoconutmilkwheneverpossible.
Although it’s not a milk, I like to use coconut water as a nondairy liquid insmoothies.
Idon’tavoidcow’smilkmyself(IwasborninthedairystateofWisconsin,afterall),butIdouseitsparingly.Ijustmakesureit’salwaysorganic.Ioftenusetangybuttermilkbecauseit lendsarichflavor tobakedgoods.Italsocontainsprobioticmicrobes,whichmakesiteasiertodigestthanplaincow’smilk.
NUTSANDSEEDS
Theblendermakesitacinchtoaddnutsandseeds—whicharepackedwithprotein,nutrients,andhealthyfatslikeomega-3s—toyourdiet.Theybothcontainahighfatcontentthough,whichmeanstheygorancidquickly.Istorelargeamountsinthefreezerandkeepsmallerportionsinthepantryinairtightliddedglassjars.
Ikeepawidearrayofnutsonhandincludingalmonds,pecans,walnuts,pistachios,hazelnuts,cashews,andpinenuts.buybothinbulkasittendstobemuchlessexpensive.
Mypantryisalwayschock-fullofseeds,whichIconsidernutritionalpowerhouses.Ilikethemforthecrunchandnuttyflavortheygivetofood.It’seasytoaddahandfultoasmoothieorsaladdressing.Sprinklethemovervegetablesandmaincourses,too.Imostoftenuseflaxseeds,pumpkinseeds,chiaseeds,andhempseeds.
GRAINS,FLOURS,ANDLEGUMES
Havingapantryloadedwithavarietyofgrainsandbeansmakeslifesomucheasier,especiallywhenyouneedtowhipupamealinminutes.Youcanturntothecupboardandsay,“Aha,I’llmakefill-in-the-blankbecauseIhavefill-in-theblank.”
Someofthebasicsthataregoodtohaveonhandincludebrownrice,old-fashionedrolledoats,quinoa,chickpeas,lentils,blackbeans,andpeanuts.
I’mpartial todriedbeansfor their textureandflavor,butcannedbeansworkwhenyou’repressedfortime.
Oneof thebest thingsyoucanmake inablender: fresh flours.Wholegrainskeeplongerthanready-madeflours,andmakingnutfloursissomuchmorecost-effectivethanbuyingthem.
SWEETENERS
IpreferthingsmuchlesssweettodaythanIdidevenayearago.IfindthatasIreducemysugarintake,mytastebudsadapttomyneweatinghabits.Icontinuallytrytouseaslittlesugaraspossible.
Althoughsugarissugarissugarandthegoalistoreduceoverallintake,whenIdouse sweetener, I tend to gravitate toward something less processed than standardwhite
granulatedsugar.
Raw honey ismy sweetener of choice. There aremany claims that it has curativeproperties,andwhile Ican’tconfirm them, Ido like that rawhoney isunprocessedandunpasteurized,whichmeansthegoodnessofhoneyisnotdestroyedbyheat.
Maplesyrupisanothergoodsweetener.Itcontainssomemineralsandisespeciallyhighinmanganese.Ibuyitfromalocalsourcewhotapstreesinourarea.
Thereare some recipes that justworkbestwithplainold sugar. In that case, IuseunbleachedorganiccanesugarbecauseatleastIknowit’sgrownwithoutpesticidesandisbetterfortheearth.It’salsosaidtobelessprocessedthanregularsugar.
HERBSANDSPICES
SmallbowlswithDiamondCrystalkoshersaltandMaldonseasaltresidenexttomystoveatalltimes.Nexttothemstandsablackpeppergrinder.Iprobablyusethecontentsofthesethreevesselsmorethananythingelseinmykitchen.Iaddapinchofsaltandtwistoffreshlygroundpepper(don’tusethetypethatcomespreground)toalmosteverything.
When I don’t have fresh herbs growing, I always make sure I have bunches ofcilantro,parsley,rosemary,thyme,andtarragononhand.Ihaveanextensivedriedspicedrawer,butsomeessentialsincludecumin,coriander,ginger,cinnamon,andpaprika.
Dijonmustardisanothermust-have.Creamyandsharp,itjustgivesthatextraoomphtomanyvinaigrettesandsauces.IespeciallylikeMaillebrand.
TipsandTricks
LIQUIDSANDSOFTFOODSFIRSTHowyouloadyourblendermaymakeadifferenceinyouroutcome,andkeepthingsblendingsmoothlywithoutextraspatulaaction.Addliquidsandsoftfoodstotheblendercontainerfirst,thenputtheharderingredientsontop,includingice.
GOSLOWLYANDDON’TOVERPROCESSIsaiditbeforeandI’llsayitagain:Donotoverblend.Theblenderisapowerfulmachine,andtheconsistencyofsomethingcangofromgreattoghastlyinseconds.Justgoslowly.Lessismore.Whenyourmachineiswhirringwithnothingmovinginside,stopitandpushtheingredientstowardthebladewithaspatula.Irarelyexpectthateverythingwillblendupevenlywithoutalittlehelpfromaspatula.It’sgoodtomakesureallthebitsofwhatyou’reblendingareoutfromunderthebladesandfullyintegrated.Alsogoeasyonyourmachine.Whenitgetsoverlywarmorstartstosputter,turnit
offandletitcooldown.
NONEEDTOMINCEAprimaryadvantagetousingablenderisease.Ipurposefullycallforlargepiecesofvegetablesandclovesofgarliconlycutinhalfoncetoavoidlotsoftimespentdicingandchopping.Lettheblenderdothework.Theremaybeoneortworecipeswhereyoudohavetomince,butonlybecause,forexample,onlyhalfthesoupgetsblended
inordertoretaintexture;inthiscasethegarlicshouldbemincedsincenotallofitwillbepureed.
EVERYTHINGTOTASTEAlmosteveryrecipeinthisbookcallsforsalt,pepper,orsomeothertypeofseasoning.Usetheamountslistedasaguide,butdon’thesitatetousemoreorlessaccordingtoyourpreference.Anotherbeautyofblendingisthatunlikebaking,it’snotanexactscience(thatis,unlessyou’remakingsomethinglikeblenderbrowniesoracake).Youcanalwaysaddanothersqueezeoflimeorsprigofcilantroandkeeptesting
untiltheflavorsseembalancedtoyou.Ifsomethingtastestoosweet,addanacid;toosour,addasweetener.Playaround.Tasteasyougo.
EASYCLEANUPTheverybesttowaytocleanyourblenderistodoitrightaway.Don’tletfooddryandhardeninsidethecontainer.Itonlytakessecondstoclean.Fillyourblenderaboutone-thirdfullwithhotwaterandafewdropsofliquiddishsoap.Placethelidontheblender,placethepitcherbackonthebase,andrunitonlowforafewseconds,thenturnittohighforaminute.Pouroutthewater,rinsetheblenderwithmorehotwater,anduseadishbrushtoscruboutanyremainingfoodshouldtherebeany.That’sit,yourblenderisclean!
SOAKINGNUTS,SEEDS,GRAINS,ANDLEGUMESLotsofnuts,seeds,grains,andlegumesareusedinthisbook,andtheyallnaturallycontainphyticacid.Phyticacidbindstomineralsandpreventsthemfrombeingabsorbedbyourbodies.It’sdebatablewhetherphytates(phyticacid)shouldbeofconcern.However,toavoidthem,youcansoaknuts,seeds,grains,andlegumes.Notonlydoessoakingreducephyticacid,italsoneutralizesenzymeinhibitorsthatarepresent,whichsomesaycancausetroublewithdigestion.Onamorefunctionallevel,soakingnutsmakesthemmucheasiertogrindfornut
milks.Ifyousoaknutsbeforemakingnutbutters,theymustbethoroughlydriedatatemperaturebelow150°F.Mostovensdon’tgothatlow(mylowestsettingis200°F),sokeeptheovendoorslightlyajaranduseanoventhermometertoregulatethetemperature.It’ssaidthatifyouheatthenutsabove150°F,you’lldestroythegoodenzymes.Ifyou’rereallydedicatedtosoaking,considerpurchasingafooddehydrator.Ifthisallseemslikealotofhassle,youcandryyournutsinanovensetto300to
350°Fwiththesametasteresult—oryoucanjustblendthemintoabutterwithoutsoakingatall.Unlessyou’reastrictvegetarianoryourdietisrestrictedinotherways,you’relikelytogetthenutrientsyouneedfromotherfoodsandstillreaptheotherpositivebenefitsofnutsandseedswithoutsoakingthem.
Tools
SPATULAAgoodstrong,dishwasher-safesiliconespatulawithsomebendandflexibilitymaybethesinglemostimportanttoolyou’llwantwhenworkingwiththeblender.Itwillhelpscrapeallthegoodbitsout,andwillalsohelppushingredientstowardtheblade.Ihaveseveraldifferentsizes,includingasmalloneforscrapingundertheblade.
SHARPPARINGKNIFEANDCHEF’SKNIFEWhiletheblenderbladeswilldomostofyourcuttingandchopping,it’sstillgoodtohavesharpknivesonhandtocutuplargefruitslikewatermelonanddomoretediousjobslikeremovingribsfromkale.Alwayshandwashyourknivesanddrythemimmediatelyaftereachuse.
FINE-MESHSTRAINER/SIEVEYou’llfindthissimplekitchentoolindispensableforjuicesandstrainingpureesandsauces.
NUTBAGSAlthoughyoucanusecheeseclothorasieve,Ifindthatasturdynylondrawstringbagworksbestwhenstrainingnutandseedmilks.
ICECUBETRAYSPourleftoversmoothiesandpureesintoicecubetraystomakefrozencubes,whichareeasytostoreandblendupagainquitewell.
RESEALABLEFREEZERBAGSGoodtohaveonhandforfreezingfruitandotherblenderleftovers.
STORAGECONTAINERSFrench-madeLuminarcglasseswithairtightplasticstoragelidsareperfectforstoringsoups,juices,andmore.Theyfitwellinthefridge,andIlikethattheydoubleasdrinkingglasses.
METALSTRAWSManyyearsago,IhadacolleaguewholookedatmedisapprovinglyeverytimeIusedaplasticstraw.“Doyouknowhowunnecessarythatis?”shewouldsaytome.Andshewasright.Idon’tthinkIsawonestrawwhenIwastravelinginFrancerecently.TheFrenchseemtoconsumetheirbeveragesjustfinewithoutthem.Accordingtoecocycle.org,weuseover500millionstrawsintheUnitedStates
eachday.Thereareaplethoraofreasonswhyweshouldn’tusedisposableplasticstraws,includinggrowinglandfills,soItrytousemetalandbiodegradablepaperoneswheneverpossible.
CAST-IRONPAN
Thismayseemlikeanoddessentialforblendercooking,butawell-seasonedcast-ironskilletwillfryupablenderburgerwitharestaurant-qualitycrispycrust.Itsnonsticksurfaceisalsogreatforpancakes,andyoucanevenbakebrowniesinit.They’reinexpensiveandcantaketheplaceoffourpans.IfIwerestuckonadesertislandandcouldhaveonekitchentool,thiswouldbeit(unless,ofcourse,Icouldgetasolar-poweredblender!).
CHAPTER2NutMilksandFloursIt’sastonishinghoweasyitistomakeyourownflours.WhenIthinkofthetimeI
onceoncespentlookingforalmondflour,I’mregretfulthatIdidn’tknowtojustmakeit.Well,thatwillneverhappenagain.Withtheaidofmyblender,Icanhavefreshlygroundfloursinminutes.Vitaminsandmineralsdeterioratequicklyoncegrainsareground,sowhenyoumakeyourownflours,youreapMotherNature’sgoodnesspackedintoseedgrainsinsteadofitperishingonstoreshelves.Specialtyflourslikericeandcoconutcanalsobepriceyandhardtofind.Grindingyourownmakesgluten-freeoptionseasilyaccessibleatafractionofretailcost.
The same goes for nutmilks—when youmake them yourself you’re guaranteed afresh product with zero preservatives at a budget-friendly price tag. You also greatlyexpandyouroptionsfordairy-freealternativestocow’smilk.Theremaybemanytypesofalmondmilkavailablethesedays,butwhatabouthempseedmilk?It’shighlynutritiousbutmay not be so easy to find.With the blender, it’s yours for themaking.And don’treservethesemilksjustforsmoothies:Usethemforsavorysaucesandsweetsbaking,too.
AlmondMilkmakesabout3cups
Anexcellentalternativetodairymilk,silky-smoothalmondmilkislowincarbs,cholesterol-andlactose-free,easytodigest,andagoodsourceofvitaminE.
1cupalmonds,soakedfor8hours,thendrainedwithwaterdiscarded
3cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
Sweetenertotaste,ifdesired
Placethenutsandwaterintheblenderjarandprocessonhighuntilcombinedandcompletelysmooth.Addsweetenerifdesired.
Strainthemixtureusinganutbagorstrainer.Discardthepulp.
Chillandserve.
BrownRiceMilk
makesabout3⅔cups
Forthosewithalactoseornutintolerance,brownricemilkisagoodcow’sornutmilksubstitutebecauseit’sunlikelytotriggerallergicreactions.Ricemilk,whichhasalight,refreshingflavor,islowinfatbuthighincarbs.
¾cupcookedbrownrice
3cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
Pinchofkoshersalt
¼teaspoonpurevanillaextract
Honeytotaste,ifdesired
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderjarandprocessonhighuntilcombinedandcompletelysmooth.Discardthepulp.
Strainthemixtureusinganutbagorstrainer.
Chillandserve.
HempSeedMilkmakesabout4cups
Consideredasuperfood,hempseedsareoneofthedensestsourcesofplantproteinsavailable.Thesepower-packedkernelsdeliverproteinandomega-3essentialfattyacids,whichareessentialtobrain,skin,joint,andhearthealth.Youcansprinklethemrawonalmostanything,andwhenyoublendtheseedsintoamilk,theygivethebeverageanespeciallycreamyconsistency.
1cupshelledorganichempseeds(alsocalledhemphearts)
3cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
1teaspoonrawhoney
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderjarandprocessonhighuntilcombinedandcompletelysmooth.
Strainthemixtureusinganutbagorstrainer.Discardthepulp.
Chillandserve.
CoconutMilk
makesabout4½cups
Richwithitscreamygoodnessandslighthintofcoconut,thismilkmakesadeliciousbaseforsmoothies.Useitincupcakesandmuffinstoo.
2cupsunsweetenedcoconutorcoconutflakes
4cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
Soakthecoconutinthewaterfor2hours.
Placethecoconutandthewaterintheblenderjarandprocessonhighfor2minutesoruntilsmooth.
Strainthecoconutthroughanutbag,squeezingoutallthemilkintoabowl.Whenyou’vesqueezedoutallyoucan,transferthemilktoastoragecontainerandreservethepulptomakecoconutflour(page35).
Chillandserve.
CoconutFlourmakesabout1cup
Myfirstadventureswithcoconutflourwerenotsuccessful.SeveralyearsbackIsawitonthestoreshelfandthought,Hmmm,letmeseewhatIcanmakewiththis.Well,Imadeabrick.LittledidIknowcoconutflourisnowherenearaone-to-onesubstituteforgrain-basedflours.Youmaynoticethatmanyofthebakedgoodsrecipescallingforitcontainalargenumberofeggs.Thisisbecausetheflourisextremelyabsorbent;theeggsalsohelpgivestructuretobakedgoodsduetothelackofgluten.Theflour,madefromdriedcoconutmilkpulp,ishighinfiberandmakesagoodgluten-freeoption.TryRaspberrySwirlCupcakes(page212)foragluten-freedessertmadewithcoconutflour.
About1¼cupspulpfrom1CoconutMilkrecipe(page32)
Preheattheovento200°F.Lineabakingsheetwithparchmentpaper.Spreadthecoconutpulpoutinathinlayer,breakingupanyclumps.
Placethesheetintheovenandbakeforapproximately45minutes,oruntilthepulpiscompletelydry.
Putthedriedpulpintheblenderandprocessonhighfor1to2minutesoruntilfinelyground.
Storeinanairtightcontainer.
AlmondFlour
makesabout1cup
Iheartalmondflour.Fromasweet,meringue-basedFrenchmacarontoTwo-BiteRaspberryFinanciers(page73),thisflouraddsasubtlenuttyflavortofoods.Youmayfindthatsomerecipescallforalmondmealinsteadofalmondflour.Theonlydifference:Mealismadefromwholeorunblanchedalmonds,whileflourismadefromblanchedalmondsandissometimesmorefinelyground.
Becautiouswhenmakingthisflour:Anextrasecondortwoandyourflourcanturntobutter!
2cupsblanchedalmonds
Putthealmondsintheblenderjarandstartonlow,thenturntohighfor30to60secondsoruntilthealmondsarefinelygroundintoapowder.
WhiteandTraditionalWholeWheatFlours
makesabout3cups
Whitewholewheatflouristhesameaswholewheatflourinthesensethatit’sgroundfromtheentirewheatkernel—unlikeall-purposewhiteflour,whichisbleachedandthebranandgermremoved.Thedifferenceisthatwhitewholewheatflourisgroundfromahardwhitewheatberryinsteadofaredwheatberry,liketraditionalwholewheatflour.
Theresult:aflourthathasallthenutritionaladvantagesoftraditionalwholewheatbutwithalightercolorandmildertaste.
Use it in cookies, pancakes,muffins, andotherbakedgoods thatdon’t requirea finewhiteflour(thewayangelfoodcakedoes,say,ordelicatebiscuits).
Grindingflourissoeasy,there’salmostnoexcusenottodoit,exceptperhapsyoudon’thavethewheatberries.Well,you’reinluck.BothKingArthurFlourandBob’sRedMillsellred(ifyouwanttomaketraditionalwholewheatflour)andhardwhitewheatberriesbythepoundonline.
Wholewheatfloursareparticularlydifficult tostorebecausetheycontainhealthybutperishable oils. To keep the flour from going rancid, I like to grind my own in smallquantities.
2cupshardwhitewheatberriesforwhitewholewheatflouror2cupsredwheatberries(fortraditionalwholewheatflour)
Placethewheatberriesintheblenderjarandprocessonhighfor1minuteoruntiltheberriesarefinelygroundintoapowder.
OatFlour
makesabout1cup
Oatflourisanexcellentoptionforgluten-freebaking.Thereareseveralrecipesinthisbook—HerbedGoatCheeseTurkeyBurgers(page153)andFudgyGluten-FreeBrownies(page209)amongothers—thatuseit.Tryoatflourinmuffinsandquickbreads,too.
1cuporganicold-fashionedrolledoats
Placetheoatsintheblenderjarandstartonlow,thenturntohighfor30to60seconds,stoppingonceortwicetopushthemixturetowardthebladewithaspatula,oruntiltheoatsarefinelygroundintoapowder.
Storeinanairtightcontainer.
ChickpeaFlour
makesabout1½cups
OftenusedinMiddleEasterncooking,thisgluten-freeflour,alsocalledgarbanzobeanflour,hasaslightlystrongerflavorthanothernon-wheatflours.Tryitinsavorypancakeorfritterrecipes.
1cupdriedchickpeas
Placethechickpeasintheblenderjar(agraincontainerifyouhaveone)andprocessonhighfor30to60secondsoruntilthebeansarefinelyground.
Pushthemixturethroughafine-meshsieveorafloursifter.Putthelargerpiecesleftinthesievebackintotheblenderandprocessagainforatleastanotherminute.Repeattheprocessuntilyouhaveafine,smoothflour.
Storeinanairtightcontainer.
QuinoaFlourmakesabout2½cups
Quinoaflourismyall-timefavoritegluten-freeflour,inpartbecauseofthegoodnessitdelivers—highfiberandessentialaminoacids—butI’malsoparticularlyfondofitsearthyflavor.Youcansimplygrindquinoagrainstomakeflour,soifyou’reinarush,don’thesitatetodoso.Afewminutesoftoastingthoughmellowstheflavorandmakesafinerflourwhenground.
1¾cupsquinoa
Preheattheovento350degrees.Spreadthequinoainasinglelayeronalargebakingsheet.Usetwosheetsifnecessary.Toastthequinoaintheovenforabout15minutes.Donotletitbrown.
Removethequinoafromtheovenandallowittocool.Placeitintheblenderjarandstartonlowthenturntohighfor30to60secondsoruntilthegrainsarefinelygroundintoapowder.Storeinanairtightcontainer.
WhiteRiceFlourmakesabout2¼cups
Lightandsilken,thisflourissuperbforcoatingchicken,eggplant,andotheroven-friedfoods.It’salsoapopularsubstituteforall-purposeflourinmanygluten-freebakedgoods.Youcanmakebrownriceflouraseasilybysubstitutingdrybrownriceforthewhite.Brownriceflourmakesanexcellentbinderinmeatlessburgers.
2cupsdrywhiterice
Putthericeintheblenderjarandstartonlow,thenturntohighfor30to60secondsoruntilthericeisfinelygroundintothedesiredconsistency.
WhiteCornmealmakesabout1½cups
TheconnectionbetweenpopcornandcornmealwasoneIhadnotmadepriortoowninga
blender.Yes,ofcourseIknewtheywerebothderivedfromcorn—butpopcorniswhatyoueatatthemoviesandIusecornmealfor,amongotherthings,breadsanddustingpizzacrusts.ButIwasnotthinkingtheobvious:Popcornkernelsaredriedcorn.Cornmealisgrounddriedcornkernels.Popcornintheblender=cornmeal.Voilà!
1cupunpoppedwhitepopcornkernels
Putthepopcornintheblenderjar(agraincontainerifyouhaveone)andprocessonlowfor5seconds.Turnthepowertohighandblendforanother30secondsoruntilveryfine.
CHAPTER3HealthyDrinksSowhat’sbetter,juicingorblending?Hmmm,hardtosay.Theyeachhavetheir
place.Tojuiceistoextracttheliquidfromfruitsorvegetablesandremovethepulp.Blendingpulverizestheproducetomakeasmoothdrink.Thebiggestdifference:Smoothiescanbeloadedwithfiberwhilejuicesnaturallycan’t.However,bothcanbenutrient-packed.Personally,Idrinksmoothiesmoreoften,butIstillcan’tresistacool,revitalizingglassofjuice.Eitherway,fillingyourblenderwithlocallygrowngreens,freshlypickedberries,andhomemadenutmilkscanonlybeagoodthing.
Blender drinks are an excellent way to add the USDA-recommended five dailyservingsoffruitsandvegetablestoyourdiet.Sousethefollowingrecipesasguidelines,but don’t hesitate to voyage out on your own. Be creative. Experimentwith your ownfavoritecombinationsandchangeupyouringredientsaccordingtowhat’sinseason.It’llhelpensurethateverysipisdelicious,andvarietyprovidesabroadrangeofnutrients.
Flash freezing fruits and vegetables at their peak of freshness helps preservevitamins, andwill expandyouroptions to a rainbowof choicesduring those lackluster,produce-poorwintermonths.Thesequickandeasydrinksareasuper-healthywaytostarttheday,orsometimesevenendit.Cheers.
CoolMintSlushserves4–6
Refreshingandsmooth,thisicyconcoctionwillcoolyoudownonthehottestofdays.Asplashofvodkaorginturnsthisdrinkintoadelightfulsummercocktail.Whipupabatchinadvanceandfreezeinaresealableplasticbag.Whenyou’rereadytouseit,breakupthemixtureinthesealedbagthenaddittotheblendercontainer,pulseseveraltimes,andserve.
1wholelemon,cutintoquarters,seedsremoved
¾cupfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice(juiceofabout3lemons)
⅓cuprawhoney,ormoretotaste
¼cupwater
4cupsice
½cupfreshmintleaves,plusextraforgarnish
Addthecutlemonandlemonjuicetothecontainerandblendonmedium-highuntilsmooth.
Addthehoney,water,andiceandcontinuetoblenduntilcompletelysmooth.
Putthemintinthecontainerandpulsefiveorsixtimes,untilthemintischoppedandmixedthroughout.Servegarnishedwithmintleaves.
MangoandGreekYogurtFreeze
serves1
Thisdrinkdeliverstheessenceofmangoes,whichareattheirbestinspringandsummer.Mangoesthataregreenandhardshouldripenafterafewdaysatroomtemperature.Thefeelandsmellofthemangoaremuchmoreimportantthanthecolor.Neverrefrigerateunripemangoes.Ifripemangoesaren’tavailable,lookforjarredmangointheproducesectionorbagsofmangochunksinthefrozenfoodsection,nowavailablefromTraderJoe’sandDole.Whenmangoesareinseason(andusuallyonsale),Ibuytheminbulk,cutthefruitintochunks,andfreezeitinairtightcontainers.
1cupfreshmangochunks
½cupplainGreekyogurt
1cupice
1teaspoonrawhoneyorothersweetenertotaste
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlisted.Blendfor20secondsonlowthenturntohighforanother40to60secondsoruntilthemixtureiscompletelysmooth.
AMEnergyBooster
serves2
There’snodoubtthatthisthick,shake-likesmoothiewillneverwinabeautycontest.Itsbrownish-bluishtintdoesnothavetheseductivepowerofaravishingredraspberrysmoothie,nordoesittastelikeadessertbeverage.However,thisdrinkisapowerhouse.Iconsumesomeformofthisless-than-sexyconcoctionatleastthreeoutofsevenmornings—Isubstitutehempmilk,addpumpkinseeds,changeupthefruitandgreens.It’slikeanelixir.Itkeepsmemovingstraightahead,withnohorriblehighsorlows.Thealmondbutter,whichisapredominantflavorinthissmoothie,helpsregulatebloodsugar,andthefiber-richchiaandhempseedsaddessentialaminoacidsandomega-3fatsthatkeepmefullandhappyuntillunch.
1½cupscoconutwater
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
1cuplooselypackedbabykale,spinach,orothergreens
1cupfrozencherries
½cupfrozenblueberries
2tablespoonsalmondbutter
2tablespoonschiaseeds
1tablespoonhempseeds
½–1cupice
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlisted.Blendfor20secondsonlow,thenturntohighforanother40to60secondsoruntilthemixtureiscompletelysmooth.Addmorewaterifyoufindtheconsistencytoothickandblendagain.Drinkimmediately.
PureStrawberryBananaSmoothie
serves2
Strawberriesandbananasareenhancedbythesweet,earthyflavorofhempmilk,anextremelybeneficialnon-dairymilkalternativethatisabreezetomake(page32).It’shardtobelievethiscreamy,dessert-likedrink,with10essentialaminoacids,isactuallygoodforyou!
2cupshempmilk
2frozenbananas,peeledandcutintolargechunks
1pint(2cups)frozenstrawberries,hulled
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlistedabove.Blendfor20secondsonlow,thenturntohighforanother40to60secondsoruntilthemixtureiscompletelysmooth.
fromlefttoright:CoconutAlmondSmoothie,CranberryOrangeFrappe,PureStrawberryBananaSmoothie,RevitalizingRawGreenJuice
RevitalizingRawGreenJuiceserves2
Gogreen!Amixoffruitsandveggiesgivesthisdrinkanagreeablebalancebetweensweetandbitter.Don’thesitatetomixupyourgreenshere—kale,spinach,beetgreens—foravarietyoftastes.Youcandrinkthisasasmoothie,too;justskipthestrainingandadd1cupicewhenblending.
1cupunsweetenedicedgreentea
½apple,peeled,cored,andcutintoquarters
2Swisschardleaves,stemremoved
1romaineleaf
¼cucumber,seededandcutintoquarters
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
¼cupflat-leafparsleyleaves
1-inchpiecegingerroot,peeled
15greengrapes
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlistedabove.Blendfor10secondsonmedium,thenturntohighfor1moreminute.
Pushthemixturethroughafine-meshstrainer.Chilltoserveorpouroverice.
BeetandCarrotJuiceTonic
serves1
Boostyourstaminaandimmunitywiththisvitamin-loadedjuice.Thecombinationofcarrotsandbeetsdoestendtobecomethick,though,sodon’thesitateaddingmorewatertoobtainathinnerconsistency.Pouringitoverafullglassoficewillalsohelpdilutethisjuice.
¼–½cupcoconutwaterorspringwater,dependingondesiredconsistency
1mediumorange,peeledanddividedintosections
2mediumcarrots,washedandcutinto2-inchchunks
3beets(about5-7ouncestotal),washedandquartered
Placeeverythingintheblenderpitcherintheorderlisted.Blendonlowfor30seconds,turnthedialtomediumandblendfor15secondsmore,thenturntohighandblendfor1minute.
Pushthemixturethroughafine-meshstrainer.Blendasecondtimeforanevensmootherconsistency.Chilltoserveorpouroverice.
CranberryOrangeFrappeserves2
Fresh.Bright.Zingy.ThisvitaminCboosterwillwakeupyourtastebudswithitscitrusytang.Notjustforbreakfast,thisdrinkmakesastimulatingafternoonsnack.
½cupalmondmilk
1cupfrozencranberries
1wholeorange,peeledandbrokenintosegments
¼teaspoongroundcinnamon
1–2teaspoonsmaplesyrup,ormoretotaste
1cupice
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlisted.Blendfor20secondsonlow,thenturntohighforanother40to60secondsoruntilthemixtureiscompletelysmooth.
PumpkinSpiceSmoothieserves2
Likethesmellofburningleavesorappleciderdoughnuts,thissmoothiewilltransportyoutoaplaceofautumnalhappiness.Sipthiscreamyconcoctionthroughastrawandyou’llswearyou’reslurpingupapumpkinpie.
1cupcannedpumpkin
1cupcoconutmilk
1cupice
1smallfrozenbanana,cutintoseveralpieces
1tablespoonmaplesyrup
½teaspoongroundcinnamon
¼teaspoongroundnutmeg
¼teaspoongroundginger
⅛teaspoongroundcloves
¼teaspoonorangezest
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlisted.Blendfor5secondsonlow,thenturntohighforanother20secondsoruntilthemixtureiscompletelysmooth.
CoconutAlmondSmoothieserves1
Smoothandcreamy,thismilkydrinkhasapleasingnuttyflavor.Usinghomemadecoconutmilkaddsanevenrichertaste.It’skindoflikeanAlmondJoywithoutthechocolate.Ifyouwantittomimicthecandybarevenmore,shavealittledarkchocolateontop.
1cupcoconutmilk
1tablespoonalmondbutter
5dates,pitted
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract(optional)
1½cupsice
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderpitcherintheorderlisted.Blendfor20secondsonlow,thenturntohighforanother40to60secondsoruntilthemixtureiscompletelysmooth.
RefreshingPineappleGingerJuiceserves4
IlearnedtomakethisdownrightaddictivedrinkfromabartenderatTheRockhouseinNegril,Jamaica.Afterseeingitlistedonthebreakfastmenuunderjuicessimplyas“Homemade,”myfamilyandIwereintrigued.Onemorningwetooktheplungeandorderedit.Weneverlookedback.WhenIaskedthewaitressaboutthefreshandspicydrink,shetoldmethebartendersmadeit.TheveryfriendlyNaasonshowedmehow.Heblendedupthewholepineapple,peelandall,inhisVitamix.Ittakesalittletime,butitiswortheverysecondofeffort.It’salsoinvitingasanafternooncocktailwithalittleJamaicanrum.
1wholepineapple,coredandcutintochunks
⅓cup(2ounces)freshunpeeledgingerroot,choppedintopieces
2cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
Rawhoneytotaste
Placethepineapple,ginger,andwaterinablenderandprocessonmedium-highuntilthemixtureisfullyblended(assmoothasyoucangetit).
Placeafine-meshstraineroverabowlorcontainerandpourinthepineapple-gingermixture.Usingthebackofaspoon,pressthemixtureagainstthestrainer,extractingasmuchofthejuiceaspossible.Youcoulduseanutbag,too.
Putthepineapplemashinthestrainerbackintotheblenderandprocessagainonhigh.Strainagaintoextractmoreliquidfromthemixture.
Afteryoursecondstrain,youshouldhaveabout36ounces.Ifnot,youmaywanttoblendandstrainthemixtureonemoretime.
Finally,addhoneytotasteandstirtocombine.Chillandserveoverice.
WatermelonCucumberAguaFresca
makes2quarts
Aguafrescaor“freshwater”issimplywaterinfusedwiththeessenceoffruit.Thethirst-quenchingdrinkhasjustahintofflavor.It’snottoosweet,andisbestwhenmadewithseasonallyfreshfruit(experimentwithdifferentcombinationsincludingmelons,pineapple,andmango).Serveiticycold.
4cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
½largewatermelon,cutintolargechunks(about8generouscups)
1cucumber(about2cups)
¼cuprawhoneyortotaste
6basilleaves,forgarnish
Puthalfthewater,watermelon,andcucumberintheblenderandrunonlowfor5seconds.Thenturntohighandprocessfor25secondsoruntilpureed.Pushthemixturethroughafine-meshstrainerintoa2-quartpitcher.
Repeattheprocesswiththerestoftheingredients,addingthehoneythistime.Pourthesecondstrainedmixtureintothefirst.Stirandchill.Serveovericeandgarnishwithbasilleaves.
CHAPTER4BreakfastsWhileasmoothiemakesamightynicemealreplacement,itjustdoesn’tgivethe
samecomfortingfeelasabig,heartybreakfast.Mindyou,agenerousmealneednotequalsugary,butter-ladendishes.Withafewtweakshereandthere,white-flourwafflesaremadegluten-freewithabuckwheatsubstitution,pancakesarepoweredwithchiaseeds,andbreakfastbreadisloadedwithfruitsandveggiesforalow-sugar,high-fibertreat.
Weekendbreakfastsaremyall-timefavorite.Whetherit’sjustthefamilyorwehaveguests,wealwaysmakeitextraspecialwithtablelinens,asmallvaseofflowersorpinesprigs in winter, and even a candle or two. All these recipes work well for a crowd.Wafflesandcrêpescanbemadebeforethemealandkeptwarminalowoven;toppingslikecoulisandtarragonsaucecanbemadeinadvance.Thesearemealswhenyou’llwantsmoothiesasasupplement.
BuckwheatWaffleswithTwo-BerryCoulismakesabout157-inchwaffles3largeeggs
Doyouknowthatbuckwheathasnothingtodowithwheat?It’snotevenagrain.It’safloweringherbwhosestarchyseedsareharvestedandareavailableinmanyforms,fromhulled,wholerawkernelstogroundflours;toastedbuckwheatkernelsareoftenreferredtoaskasha.Buckwheat,whichiscloselyrelatedtorhubarbandsorrel,isgluten-freeandrankslowontheglycemicscale.I’veexperimentedwiththeflourquiteabitrecentlyasmybrother-in-lawisdiabeticandhasceliacdisease.InthisrecipeIuselightbuckwheatflourbecauseitgivesalightertexturetothewaffles.IampartialtoBouchardFamilyFarmsAcadianLightBuckwheatFlour.Ifyoucan’tfinditandusedarkbuckwheatflour(whichisvisiblydarkerinappearance),use1cupwhitewholewheatflourinplaceof1cupbuckwheatflourforthesewaffles.Buckwheatflourmakesagreatfriedchickencoatingtoo.Friedchickenandwafflesanyone?
2cupsbuttermilk
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
1¾cupslightbuckwheatflour
¼cuporganiccanesugar
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
1tablespoonbakingpowder
½cuparoma-freecoconutoil,meltedorcanolaoil
Freshblackberries,redraspberries,andstrawberries
Two-BerryCoulis(recipefollows)
Puttheeggs,buttermilk,andvanillaintheblender.Processonmediumfor15seconds.
Next,addtheflour,sugar,salt,andbakingpowder.Pulseseveralmoretimesuntiltheingredientsarejustcombined.
Lastly,addtheoilandpulseuntilmixedtogether.
Bakeinapreheatedwaffleirononamediumsetting.Makesurethewafflesbakeuntilthey’resomewhatcrispy.ServewithfreshberriesandTwo-BerryCoulis.
Two-BerryCoulis1pint(2cups)redraspberries
1pint(2cups)strawberries
¼cupwater
3tablespoonsorganiccanesugar,ortotaste,dependingonthesweetnessoftheberries
Puttheberries,water,and3tablespoonssugarinasmallsaucepan.Cookovermediumheat,stirringconstantly,forabout10minutes.
Next,pourthemixtureintheblenderandrunfor10secondsonhigh.Pourthemixturethroughafine-meshstrainerbackintothesaucepan.Usethebackofaspoontopushasmuchofthesaucethroughthesieveaspossibleandbringittoagentleboilfor3minutes.Allowtocool.ServeoverBuckwheatWaffles.
SweetSpeltFlourCrêpesmakesabout14crêpes
Thisrecipebelongstomy12-year-olddaughter,whohasbeenmakingcrêpessinceshewas9.Aself-taughtcrêpemaker,Camillacombedcookbooksforinstruction,andthenhasperfectedherskillovertheyears(allthreeofthem!).ShegotafewpointersfromagoodfriendofourswholivesinMontréal,andanotherbooktippedherofftothemagicoftheblender—usingitwhipsupcrêpebattertotheperfectconsistency.
When in France recently we noticed that many savory crêpes were made withbuckwheat,whichledustoexperimentwithdifferentflours.I’vemademyownadjustmenttoCamilla’srecipeandsubstitutedspeltflourforthewhitefloursheuses.Itgivesafaintnutty flavor to the thin pancakes,which are so delectable they barely need a filling. A
squeezeoflemonandsprinkleofsugaristheperfectcomplementtothedelicatepancake,althoughafewstrawberriesandhazelnutspreadareprettydarngoodonthem,too.
4largeeggs
2cupsmilk
½teaspoonpurevanillaextract
2cupsspeltflour
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¼cupmeltedunsaltedbutter,plusmoreforgreasingthepan
Puttheeggs,milk,andvanillaintheblenderandprocessonmediumfor15seconds.Addtheflourandsaltandpulseseveraltimes.Addthebutterandmixfor10moreseconds.
Meltabout2teaspoonsbutterovermediumheatinanonstick12-inchskillet.Spreadthebutterevenlyaround.
Pour2to3tablespoonsofbatterinthepan.Cookfor1minutethenflipthecrêpeoverandcookforanotherminute.Thethinnerthebatter,thebetter.Continuetocookcrêpesuntilallthebatterisused.
SweetSpeltFlourCrêpesshownwithQuickStrawberrySpread(front)andCardamomPeachSpread,andDarkChocolateHazelnutSpread(rear)
ChiaSeedPancakesmakesabouttwenty4-inchpancakes2cupsbuttermilk
Chiaseeds,whichcanbeeatenwhole,don’tneedtobegroundtoaccesstheirgreathealthbenefits.Tinyblackandwhitechiaseedsareagreatsourceofproteinandcalciumandwillboostthefibercontentofyourpancakeswhilegivingthemtheslightestcrunchytexture.Soundsstrangeforapancake,Iknow,butitreallyaddsaninterestingnewdimensiontoanoldfavorite.
1largeegg
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
1tablespoonorganiccanesugar
1½cupswhitewholewheatflour
1tablespoonbakingpowder
2tablespoonschiaseeds
1–2tablespoonscoconutoilorunsaltedbutter
Putthebuttermilk,egg,andvanillaintheblenderpitcher.Pulseonmediumseveraltimes.
Next,addthesugar,flour,andbakingpowdertothepitcherandpulseagaintwoorthree
timesuntiljustblended.Donotovermix;thiswillresultintoughpancakes.
Addthechiaseedsandpulseonemoretime.
Placeagriddleorfryingpanovermediumheat.Add1tablespoonofthecoconutoilorbutteranduseaspatulatospreaditaroundthegriddleorpanasitmelts.
Transferthebatterfromtheblenderpitchertothegriddleorskilletusingatablespoonmeasure,about2tablespoonsperpancake.Spreadthebatterintoacircleshapewiththebackofthespoon.
Cookuntilsmallbubblesappearandstarttoburstuniformlyoverthepancakes.Carefullyflipthepancakesandcookforseveralmoreminutesontheotherside.Whengoldenbrownonbothsides,transfertoaservingplatter.Continuetocookpancakesuntilallthebatterisused,addingmoreoilorbuttertothepanasneeded.
Servewithwarmmaplesyrup.
Two-BiteRaspberryFinanciers
makes24
TheselittleFrench-inspiredcakesgettheirdistinctflavorfrombeurrenoisetteorbrownbutter.Theyaretheperfectearly-morningsnacktohaveawaitingguests.Makethebatterthenightbefore,andwithinminutesthenextmorning,asweetsmellwillbewaftingthroughyourhouse.
½cup(1stick)unsaltedbutter,cutinto1-inchpieces,plusmoreforgreasingthepans
¾cupalmondflour(page36)
¼cupall-purposeflour
⅔cupconfectioners’sugar
½teaspoonbakingpowder
⅛teaspoonkoshersalt
5largeeggwhites
1teaspoonrawhoney
½teaspoonvanillaextract
½pint(1cup)redraspberries
Heatthebutterinasmallpanovermedium-highheat,stirringitconstantly.Keepstirringasthebutterbeginstobubbleandfoam.Itwillbegintobrowninabout3to4minutes(you’llseesmallbitsonthebottomofthepan).Whenitdoes,removeitfromtheheatandsetaside.Notethatthebuttergoesfrombrowntoburnedveryquickly.
Puttheflours,sugar,bakingpowder,andsaltintheblenderandrunfor10secondsonhigh.Usingaspatula,scrapethefloursfromthebottomofthemixerandrunforanother10seconds.Addtheeggwhites,honey,andvanilla;pulsethreetimes.Donotovermix.
Transferthebattertoabowlandstirinthebrownedbutter.Coverwithplasticwrapandrefrigerateforatleast2hoursorupto5days.
Heattheovento400°F.Thoroughlybuttera24-cupminimuffinpan.Removethebatterfromtherefrigeratorandstir.Filleachcupwithatablespoonofbatterandtopwithoneortworedraspberries.
Bakefor13to15minutesoruntilthefinanciersarelightlybrownedandtheyspringbacktothetouch.
SpinachEggCups
makes12eggcups
Madeinacupcakepan,theseeggcupscouldbelikenedtoacrustlessquiche.They’regoodontheirown,butalsomakedivinebreakfastsandwichesplacedbetweentwoslicesofthick,butteredtoast.Anotheroption:Servethemonabedoflightlydressedgreensforasimplelunch.
1-inchpieceshallot,skinremoved
6largeeggs
½cupmilk
½cupricottacheese
2teaspoonsall-purposeflour
¾teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshly-groundblackpepper
½teaspoondriedthyme
⅛teaspoonfreshlygratednutmeg
1½cupsbabyspinachleaves
1cupgratedGruyèrecheese
Preheattheovento375°F.Greasea12-cupmuffinpanwithcookingspray.Setaside.Placetheshallotintheblenderjarandpulseonmediumafewtimes.
Addtheeggs,milk,ricottacheese,flour,salt,pepper,thyme,andnutmeg.Blendonmediumfor5seconds(donotoverblendorthemixturewillbecometooaerated).
Addthespinachtotheblenderandpulsetwoorthreetimes,againbeingcarefulnotoverblend—orthemixturewillturngreen!
Stirinthegratedcheeseusingaspoonorspatula.
Filleachmuffincupwith¼cupeggmixture.Bakefor25minutesoruntilslightlygolden.Allowthemtocoolslightlybeforeremovingfromthepan.Slideasharpknifegentlyaroundtheedgessoyoucanslidethemouteasily.
PoachedEggswithFriedTomatoesandCreamyTarragon
Sauceserves4–6
Theeggsandtomatoesherearereallyonlyavehiclefortheoh-so-goodCreamyTarragonSauce.Youcouldservethissauceonamudpieanditwouldprobablymakeitedible.Iliketoaddasideofarugulatothisdishforagluten-freevegetarianmeal,butyoucouldalsoaddCanadianbaconandanEnglishmuffintomakeitmoreliketraditionaleggsBenedict.
CreamyTarragonSauce(following)
1largetomato,cutinto¾-inch-thickslices
Koshersaltandfreshlygroundpeppertotaste
1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil
2tablespoonswhitevinegar
6largeeggs
MaketheCreamyTarragonSauceandsetaside.
Next,seasoneachtomatosliceonbothsideswithsaltandpepper.Heattheoliveoilinaskilletovermedium-highheat.Frythetomatoesforabout2minutesoneachside.Setaside.
Fillamedium-sizedsaucepanwithwater,bringittohighboil,thenreducetobelowsimmering.
Addthevinegartothewater.
Crackoneegginashallowcuporbowlandgentlyslidetheeggintothewater.Repeatwithanotheregg.Cooktwotothreeeggsatatime,untilalltheeggsarepoached.
Usingaslottedspoon,pushthewhitesneartheiryolkssotheydon’tsettleonthebottomofthepan.
Lettheeggscookfor2to5minutes(2to3minutesforarunnyyolk),thenremovethemgentlywiththespoon.Gentlybloteacheggwithapapertowelandplaceitontopofapan-friedtomato.Topeachegg-tomatocombowithafewspoonfulsofCreamyTarragonSauce.Seasonwithsaltandpepperandserve.
CreamyTarragonSaucemakes¾cup
3largeeggyolks
2tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
¾cup(1½sticks)unsaltedbutter,melted
1tablespoonfreshtarragonor½teaspoondriedtarragon
Puttheeggyolks,lemonjuice,andsaltintheblenderandprocessonhighfor30seconds.
Pourthebutterthroughthetopofblenderinathinstreamwhileitrunsonmediumforanother30secondsoruntilthickened.
Addthetarragonandpulseoneortwomoretimes.
ZucchiniAppleMuffinsmakesabout18muffins
Iliketousewhitewholewheatflourinthesemuffins,whichhasthenutritionalvalueoftraditionalwholewheatbutwithamilderflavor.Youcangrindyourown(page39),orusethewhitewholewheatfromKingArthurbrand—asuperbproduct.
2largeeggs
⅓cupcanolaoilorcoconutoil,melted
¼cupunsweetenedapplesauce
¾cupdarkbrownsugar,firmlypacked
1tablespoonorangezest(fromabout1largeorange)
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedorangejuice
2teaspoonspurevanillaextract
1mediumzucchini,cutinhalflengthwisetheninto2-inchchunks(about2heapingcupsor12ounces)
1¼cupsspeltflour
1cupwhitewholewheatflour
2teaspoonsbakingpowder
¼teaspoonbakingsoda
1½teaspoonsgroundcinnamon
¾teaspoongroundginger
¼teaspoongroundcloves
½teaspoonkoshersalt
1smallapple,peeledandcutinto½-inchchunks(about1heapingcup)
Preheattheovento350°F.Lineamuffinpanwithpaperliners.
Puttheeggs,oil,applesauce,brownsugar,orangezestandjuice,andvanillaextractintheblenderinthatorder.Runonmediumfor15secondsoruntiljustcombined.
Addthezucchiniandpulsethreetimes.
Inalargebowl,whisktogethertheflours,bakingpowder,bakingsoda,spices,andsalt.Foldthemixturefromtheblenderintothedryingredientsuntiljustcombined.Donotovermix.Stirintheapplechunks.
Filleachmuffincupwitha¼-cupmeasure.Bakefor15minutesoruntilatoothpickcomesoutclean.ServewithWhippedCitrusZestButter(page90).
TemptingBananaCoconutLoafmakes1loaf
Thisrich,densebreakfastbread,loadedwithbananas,pineapple,andcoconut,conjuresupanislandfeel.Oatsandflaxseedalsocontributetothegoodnessofthishealthy—yetstillsweetandmoist—morningtreat.
1½cupswhitewholewheatflour
½cupold-fashionedrolledoats
¼cupgroundflaxseed
2teaspoonsbakingpowder
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¾cupshreddedunsweetenedcoconut
2largeeggs
½cupcoconutoil,melted
¾cupdarkbrownsugar
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
3medium-sizedripebananas,cutintochunks
18-ouncecancrushedpineapple,verywelldrained(aheaping½cup)
Preheattheovento350°F.Greasea9x5-inchloafpanandlinewithparchmentpapersoitoverhangsthesidesbyaninch.
Inalargebowl,whisktogethertheflour,oats,flaxseed,bakingpowder,salt,andunsweetenedcoconut.
Next,placetheeggs,coconutoil,brownsugar,andvanillaintheblender.Runonmediumfor15seconds.
Scrapedownthesidesoftheblender,addthebananasandpineapple,andpulsethreetimes.
Foldthemixturefromtheblenderintothedryingredientsanduntiljustcombined.
Pourthebatterintothepreparedpanandbakefor50minutesto1houroruntilthetopbecomesadarkgoldenbrownandatoothpickinsertedintothecenteroftheloafcomesoutclean.
CHAPTER5NutButtersandFruitSpreadsJustlikefloursanddairy-freemilks,nutbuttersareanotherpantrystaplemade
easywiththeblender.Becauseyouknowexactlywhatyou’reputtingintheblendercontainer,youknowexactlywhatyou’reputtinginyourbody.Youcontrolthetypesofnuts—raw,organic,roasted,soaked—theamountofsugarandwhatkind,thesalt,andwhateverelseyoudecidetoadd.
Nutbuttersmayhaveahighfatcontent,butit’sgoodfat,fatthatmakesyoufeelfullandsatisfied,fat thatkeepsyoufromsnackingalldayonempty-caloriejunkfoods.Nutbutters,whichcontainfiber,protein,andantioxidants,makeexcellentsandwichspreads,butthey’realsogreatadditionstosmoothiesandsauces.
Youcanusetheblendertoenhancecow’smilkbutterwithfruitzestsandevenwhipupaquick fruitbutteror spread.Thepossibilitiesherearenumerous.Getcreativewithyourblends.Combineanutbutterandcoconutbutterorseveralfruitsintoaspread.
CreamyCashewButtermakesabout¾cup
Forsomereason,thisextremelyrichandultra-creamynutbutterseemsmoredecadentthanothers.AndIsupposeitis.Withslightlylessfiberandprotein,cashewbutterdoesn’tquitedeliverthenutritionalmondandpeanutbuttersdo.However,cashewsstillprovideimportantmineralsandaminoacids,soit’snotexactlyasenselessindulgence,justrelativelyspeaking.Tryaddingatablespoonortwoofcashewtosaucesforaddedrichnessanddepth.
2cupsrawcashews,soaked,or2cupsroastedcashews
1tablespoonaroma-freecoconutoil,melted,plusmoreforrubbingthesides
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
Ifyou’reusingroastedcashews,skiptothelaststep.Ifyou’resoakingyourcashews,covertherawnutswithwaterandsoakfor3hours.
After3hours,preheattheovento300°F.Drainandrinsethenuts,thenspreadthemonaparchment-linedbakingsheetinasinglelayer.Roastthemintheovenfor20to30minutesoruntiltheyarecompletelydry.Ifnot,thenutswillnotturntobutter.Tossthenutswithsalt.
Rubtheinsideoftheblenderjarwithmeltedcoconutoil.Placetheroastednutsintheblenderwiththeoilandrunonlowforapproximately10minutes,oruntilsmooth,stoppingandscrapingdownthesidesoftheblenderevery2to3minutes.
clockwisefromtop:coconutbutter,pistachiobutter,almondbutter,cashewbutter,maplepecanbutter
DarkChocolateHazelnutSpreadmakesabout¾cup
Yes,yougotit!Homemadeyou-know-what.Hazelnutsandcocoapowder.Yum.ThisvariantisslightlynuttierthantheItalianjarredbrand,whichlistssugarasthefirstingredient.Allthemorereasontomakeitathome—youknowexactlyhowmuchofwhatyou’reputtinginthatblenderjar!
1½cupswholehazelnuts
8ouncesbittersweetchocolatechips
2tablespoonsmildoil,suchasaroma-freecoconutorcanola,plusmoreforrubbingthesides
2tablespoonsunsweetenedcocoapowder
2tablespoonsconfectioners’sugar
1tablespoonpurevanillaextract
½teaspoonkoshersalt
Preheattheovento375°F.Spreadthenutsinasinglelayeronabakingsheetandbakeintheovenforabout10minutes.Allowthenutstocoolforseveralminutes.Layadishtoweloutonthecounterandspreadthehazelnutsoutonit.Layanotherdishtowelontopandrubthenutsbetweenthetwotowelstoremovetheskins.
Meltthechocolateinadoubleboilerandallowtocool.
Rubtheinsideoftheblenderjargenerouslywithoil.Placetheskinned,toastednutsintheblenderandprocessonlowfor10seconds.Increasetomedium.Scrapedownthesidesandrunonlowfor2minutes.Addtheoilandrunonlowanother2minutes.Scrapedownthesidesagainandcontinuerunninguntilthenutsformapaste(about8minutestotal).Addtherestoftheingredientsexceptthemeltedchocolateandprocessforanotherminuteoruntilcreamysmooth.
Finally,addthemeltedchocolateandblendagainuntilaspreadableconsistencyisreached.Ifthemixturebecamewarmwhileprocessinginyourblender,itwillthickenupslightlyasitcools.
MaplePecanButter
makes1cup
Afriendofminetoldmethismelt-in-your-mouthbutterremindedherofThanksgiving.Noreasontoreservethisdessert-likenutbutterforfall,though.Thepecan-cinnamon-mapleflavorcombinationisadelightfultreatyear-round.
2cupspecans
1tablespoongrapeseedoiloraroma-freecoconutoil
1tablespoonmaplesyrup
¼teaspoongroundcinnamon
Heataskilletovermedium-highheat.Putinthepecansandtoastthemfor5to7minutes,stirringfrequently.
Next,putthetoastedpecansintheblenderandrunonlowfor2minutes.Turnthepowertomediumandcontinuetoblenduntilthenutmixturestartstobecomecreamy.Stopandpushthenutstowardtheblenderbladesduringtheprocessingtimeifnecessary.Theprocessmaytakeupwardof10minutesbutmayhappenin3.
Last,addtheoil,maplesyrup,andcinnamon,andblenduntilsmooth.
SweetPistachioButtermakesabout1cup
Youmaywonderhowsomethingsogreenishbrowncantastesogood.Ijustcouldn’tbeartoleavethisrecipeoutofthebookbasedonitsunattractivecolor,though.IfeelI’dbecheatingyouofadelicioustreat.Ifyouwanttoachieveavibrantpistachio-greenbutter,youcanremovethepurply-brownskinsfromthepistachios.Itdoestakealongtime,though,andtheskinsdon’taffectthetaste,justthelovelycolor!Usepistachiobutterasareplacementforpeanutbutterincookieorbarrecipes,orsimplyspreaditontoast.
2cupspistachios,shelled
1tablespoonrawhoney
½teaspoonkoshersalt
Preheattheovento375°F.Spreadthenutsonaparchment-linedbakingsheetinasinglelayerthenroastfor5to7minutesoruntiltheybecomefragrant.
Placethepistachiosintheblenderwiththehoneyandsalt.Blendonlowfor10minutes,stoppingandscrapingdownthesidesoftheblenderevery2to3minutes.Thisprocesstakespatienceandthetimemayvarygreatly.JustcontinueblendingandIassureitwillturntobutter.
SmoothAlmondButter
makes1¾cups
Idon’tknowifalmondbutterwilleverreplacepeanutbutterasanAmericanstaple,butifyoucangetpastthenostalgiaofagoodol’pb&j,you’llfindalmondbutterhassomebenefitsoverpeanutbutter:higherironandmagnesiumlevels,morefiber,plusagooddoseofvitaminE.Andlet’snotforgethowdeliciousitis!
3cupsrawalmonds
2tablespoonscoconutoil,melted,plusmoreforrubbingthesides
Soakthealmondsfor8hoursorovernight.Drainandrinsethenuts,thenspreadthemonaparchment-linedbakingsheetinasinglelayer.Bakethemintheovenfor1½hoursat300°Foruntiltheyarecompletelydry.
Rubtheinsideoftheblenderjarwithmeltedcoconutoil.Placethenutsintheblenderwiththeoilandrunonlowfor10seconds.Thenturntheblendertohighandrunforapproximately2moreminutesuntilthenutsbecomesmoothandcreamy.
RichCoconutButtermakes1cup
Spreadthistastytropicaltreatontoastinplaceofcow’sbutter,oruseaspoonfulinsmoothiesorsauces.Onetablespooncontainstwogramsoffiber!
4cupsunsweetenedcoconutflakes(12-ouncepackagesuchasBob’sRedMill)
Placethecoconutflakesintheblenderandrunfor30secondsonmediumspeed.Usingaspatula,scrapedownthesidesandbottomoftheblenderjar,pushingthecoconuttowardtheblade.
Runtheblenderonhighfor2½minutesoruntilthemixturebecomessmoothandcreamy.Storeinajaratroomtemperatureforuptothreemonths(ifyoudon’teatitsooner!).
WhippedCitrusZestButtermakesabout1cup
Withjustalittlezestandsweetener,youcantransformbutterintosomethingunexpected.It’sdivinespreadonZucchiniAppleMuffins(page78).Tryitonscones,too.
1cup(2sticks)unsaltedbutter,softened
1tablespoonlemonzest
1tablespoonorangezest
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedorangejuice
1tablespoonrawhoney
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderjarandrunfor5to10secondsoruntilthoroughlymixed.Storeintherefrigeratorinanairtightcontainerforuptooneweek.
QuickStrawberrySpread
makes1¼cups
WhenIwaslivinginNorway,afriendsaid,“I’llmakeaquickjamforbreakfast.”How’sshegoingtodothat?Ithought.Withinminutessheplacedstrawberryjamonthetable.Thissweetspreadthatepitomizesfreshberriesisaversionofherrecipe.I’dliketocallitjambuthesitatetodosobecauseitismostlikelynotwhatyoutraditionallythinkofasjam.Thereisnocanningorpectininvolved,soit’salittlerunnierthanclassicAmericanjam.Thedownsideisthatthespreadwillonlylastinthefridgeforaboutaweek.Theupside:Youcanhaveitinminutes.
1quartstrawberries,hulled
⅓cuporganiccanesugar
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
1teaspoonlemonzest
Placealltheingredientsinamediumsaucepanandcookovermedium-highheatfor10minutes,stirringfrequently.
Allowthemixturetocoolfor5minutes.Putitintheblenderandpulsetwoorthreetimes.Serveimmediately.
CardamomPeachSpread
makes2¾cups
SimilartotheQuickStrawberrySpread,thispeachspreadisthinnerthantraditionalpreserves.Spoonitoverwafflesorcrêpes.Itmakesaterrifictoppingonicecreamanddesserts,too.
2poundspeaches,peeledandpitted
½cuporganiccanesugar
2tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
1teaspoonlemonzest
¼teaspoongroundcardamom
Placealltheingredientsinamediumsaucepanandbringtoalowboilovermedium-highheat.Reducetheheattomediumandcontinuetocookfor20minutes,stirringfrequently.
Allowthemixturetocoolfor5minutes.Putitintheblenderandpulsetwoorthreetimes.Serveimmediately.
CHAPTER6DipsandSalsasTheblendercertainlycomesinhandywhenitcomestoentertaining.Within
minutes,youcanhaveatablefullofspicysalsasandsatisfyingdipsthatwillbemoreflavorfulandnutritiousthanstore-boughtspreads,especiallybecauseyoucanaltertheserecipestosuityourtastes.Justalittlemoremangoandeliminatethecilantro.Yes,moresesameoilplease.Whateveryourpreference,maketherecipeaswritten,thenmakeadjustmentsforyourtaste,littlebylittle.Apinchofsomethinggoesalongwayintheblender.
Dipsnevergooutofstyle.Theyareuniversallyloved.Theycangetapartystartedorturnsomesimplevegetablesintoaleisurelypicnic.Theycanbemadeinadvanceandfeedplentyofguests.
Many of these recipes work as sandwich spreads, too. A thick smear of smokyhummus layered with crunchy vegetables on hearty 12-grain breadmakes a delectablelunch, as does awarm, crusty baguette toppedwith roasted garlic bean dip, cherry-redtomatoes,andvibrantgreenarugula.
FreshPineappleMangoSalsamakes2cups
Thissalsasingssummer.Itremindsmeofeatingdinneroutsideonthepatiowithcandlesflickeringjustaftersunset.Onthemenu:Grilledfishtacos.Awarmcorntortillastuffedwithgrilledtilapia,shreddedcabbage,ascoopofguac,andanicebigspoonfulofPineappleMangoSalsa.Itmakesmymouthwaterjustthinkingaboutit.
1-inchpieceofgingerroot,peeled
½jalapeño,seededandcutinhalf
2tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlimejuice
1ripemango,peeledandcutintolargechunks(about1cup)
½pineapple,peeledandcutintochunks(2heapingcups)
¼cupfreshmintleaves
Puttheginger,jalapeño,andlimejuiceintheblenderandrunfor10secondsonmedium.Usingaspatula,pushtheingredientstowardtheblade.
Addthemango,pineapple,andminttotheblenderandpulsethreeorfourmoretimes.Thesalsashouldbesomewhatchunky.
SimplyGuac
makesabout2cups
Myhusbandisanever-so-diligentguacamolemaker.Hegrindsthegarlicandsaltintoapaste,finelychopstheonionandcilantro,andcarefullysmashestheavocadosbyhand.Theresultisoutstandingbutthemethoddefinitelytakeseffort.
Withoutsoundinglikeaninfomercial,youcanachievesomethingprettycomparableinmereminutes.Yup,youknowit.Theblender.Justpulseever-so-gingerlyandyou’vegotit,SimplyGuac.
1garlicclove,peeled
¼cupfreshcilantroleaves
¼smallredonion,cutintochunks(about¼cup)
½jalapeño,ormoretotaste,seededandcutinhalf(about2teaspoons)
2tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlimejuice
½teaspoonkoshersalt
½smalltomato,cutinhalfandseeded
3avocados,peeled,pitted,andcutinhalf
Putthegarlic,cilantro,onion,jalapeño,limejuice,andsaltintheblenderandpulsetwoorthreetimes.
Addthetomatoandtheavocadoandpulsetwomoretimes.Garnishwithafewcilantroleavesbeforeserving.
PiquantTomatoandChipotleSalsamakesabout3cups
Noneedtoreservethissalsaforchips.Useitonomelets,mixitinwithblackbeans,oreventossitwithsteamedveggies.
¼cupcoarselychoppedonion
¼cupfreshcilantroleaves
1teaspoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
3to4mediumtomatoes(about24ouncesfreshtomatoes),cutintoquarters
2cannedchipotlepeppers(about1tablespooneach)
½teaspoonkoshersalt
Puttheonion,cilantro,andlemonjuiceintheblenderandpulseonlowtwotimes.Usingaspatula,pushtheingredientstowardtheblade.
Addthetomatoes,peppers,andsalt,andblendfor5secondsonmedium.Donotovermix.Drainoffalittleliquidifneededandserve.
PiquantTomatoandChipotleSalsa(rear)andSimplyGuac
RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDipmakes1½cups
Thecomfortingflavorsofthisdipwraparoundyoulikeawarmblanket,leavingyoufeelingcontentandsatisfied.Tryitasasandwichspreadorpastasauce,too.
1headgarlic
1teaspoonextra-virginoliveoil
3cupscookedwhiteorcannellinibeans,or2(15-ounce)cansbeans,rinsedanddrained
2tablespoonsfreshrosemary,plusanextrasprigortwoforgarnish
1tablespoonflat-leafparsley
2tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
¼cupwater
½teaspoonkoshersalt
½teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
Preheattheovento375°F.Cutthetopoffofthegarlichead,placeitonapieceofaluminumfoillargeenoughtowraparoundit,anddrizzlewiththeoliveoil.Wrapthefoilaroundthegarlicandroastfor45minutes,oruntiltheclovesarelightlybrowned.Allowittocoolslightly.
Removetheroastedgarlicclovesfromtheirskins(youcanalmostsqueezethemout)andplacethemintheblendertogetherwiththerestoftheingredients.
Blendonmediumabout10seconds,oruntilcombined.Garnishwithfreshrosemarysprigsandserve.
IrresistibleBlueCheeseDipmakesabout¾cup
Thissolidstandbyisderigueurforanypartyfoodsrepertoire.Itisversatileandappealstomosteveryone.Serveitwithwings,cutveggies,oreventoppingasmallroundofbeeffiletonasliceofbaguette.Youcaneventhinitoutwithalittlecreamorbuttermilkforatastysaladdressing.
1shallot,peeledandcutinhalf
1tablespoonredwinevinegar
¼cupsourcream
¼cupmayonnaise,aïoli,orvegannaise
½cupcrumbledbluecheese
½teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
Puttheshallotandredwinevinegarintheblenderandprocessonmediumfor20seconds.Usingaspatula,scrapethesidesandpushtheshallottowardtheblenderblade.Processagainuntilfinelychopped.
Addthesourcreamandmayonnaise(oraïoliorvegannaise)andpulseseveraltimes.
Usingaspatula,putthemixtureinabowlandstirinthebluecheese,pepper,andsalt.
Super-EasyEdamameDipmakesabout2cups
Besuretosaveafewedamametogarnishthisscrumptiousgreendipthatcaneasilybemistakenforguacamole.Evenwiththetelltalebeansontop,you’restilllikelytogetafewquizzicallooks.Icanalmostguaranteeoneguestwillask,“Justwhatexactlyisinthisdip?”
3trimmedscallions,whitepartsonly
1garlicclove,peeled
2cupsshellededamame,cooked
½cupwater
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlimejuice
2tablespoonssesameoil
1tablespoonwhitemisopaste
1teaspoonsoysauce
½cupfreshcilantroleaves
½teaspoonsriracha,ifdesired
Putthescallionsandgarliccloveintheblendercontainerandpulseseveraltimes.Usingaspatula,scrapethegarlicandscallionsdownfromthesidesofthepitcher.
Addtherestoftheingredientslistedabove(srirachaifdesired)andprocessuntilsmooth.Addsalttotaste.
fromlefttoright(front);SmokyHummusandArtichokes,PiquantTomatoandChipotleSalsa,SimplyGuac(back)FreshPineappleMangoSalsa,Super-Easy
EdamameDip
CoolingCucumberTzatzikimakesabout1cup
ThisGreeksauceisadelicioussidetogrilledmeatsandisespeciallygoodwithLambPitaBurgers(page157).
1garlicclove,peeled
¼cucumber,cutintochunks
1cupplainGreekyogurt
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuiceorwhitewinevinegar
½teaspoondriedoregano
½teaspooncumin
1tablespoonfreshdill
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
Placethegarliccloveintheblenderpitcherandpulseonceortwice.
Addtherestoftheingredientsandpulsethreeorfourtimesoruntilcombined.
MushroomPâtémakesabout3cups
Woodsyandearthy,thistastyterrinemakesanimpressivevegetarianappetizer.Spreaditonawarm,crustypieceofbaguetteandyou’llleaveyourguestsswooning.Ifyouhaveleftoverpâté,heatitupinaskilletwithalittlecreamandchickenbrothforaquickyetexquisitepastasauce.
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil,plusextraforoilingtheramekin
3smallshallots,peeledandsliced
2garliccloves,peeledandsliced
1½poundsmixedfreshmushrooms,suchasportobello,crimini,shiitake,andoyster
¼cupflat-leafparsleyleaves
1tablespoonfreshthyme
½teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
1cupcashews,soakedfor2hoursanddrained
½teaspoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
Heattheoilinaskilletovermediumheatandaddtheshallots,sautéingthemfor5minutes.Thenaddthegarlic,mushrooms,parsley,thyme,salt,andpepper,andsautéforanother5minutes.
Transferthemushroommixturetotheblenderandaddthecashewsandlemonjuice.Pulseseveraltimesuntilthemixtureiscombinedbutsometexturestillremains.Spoonintoawell-oiledramekinandcovertightlywithplasticwrap.Chillforatleast2hoursorovernight.Serveonwarmbaguetterounds.
SmokyHummuswithArtichokes
makesabout4cups
Paperorplastic?Cannedordried?Istherearightanswer?Ican’treallysay.Idoknowthattheyallhavetheiradvantages.Thebiggestonetocannedbeansisthefastfactor.Youcandecideyouwanthummusoneminuteandthenextit’sinfrontofyou,readytobedevoured.
Asforpaperorplastic?IguessI’lljustavoidthequestionandtakemyownbags.
1smallgarlicclove,peeled
1cupdriedchickpeas,cookedandpeeled,or2(15-ounce)cansbeans,rinsedanddrained
½cupcookingwaterorliquidfromthecannedchickpeas
¼teaspooncayennepepper
1teaspoonsmokedpaprika
⅓cuptahini
1½tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
¼cupextra-virginoliveoil
1teaspoonkoshersalt
1(14-ounce)canartichokehearts,drained
Putthegarlicintheblenderandpulseoneortwotimes.
Addtherestoftheingredientsexceptfortheartichokesandprocessonmediumspeedfor30seconds.
Addtheartichokesandpulsethreeorfourmoretimes.Donotoverprocess;youwantsomeartichokepiecestoremainfortexture.
BasicAïolimakes½cup
Yellowandrich,thishomemadegarlicmayonnaisecanbeservedasacondimentwithfish,vegetables,orreallyalmostanythingthatisenhancedbytheflavorsofgarlicandoliveoil.
1garlicclove,peeled
2largeeggyolks
½teaspoonkoshersalt
1teaspoonlemonjuice
2tablespoonswater,divided
¼cupcanolaorgrapeseedoil
½cupextra-virginoliveoil
Putthegarlicclove,eggyolks,salt,lemonjuice,and1tablespoonwaterintheblenderjarandprocessonmediumfor5seconds.Usingaspatula,scrapethesidesoftheblenderandpushtheingredientstowardtheblade.
Next,removetheplugfromthecenteroftheblenderlidandwiththeblenderrunningonmedium,slowlypourthecanolaoildropbydropthroughthelid.Youmaywanttouseyourhandasashieldsothemixturedoesn’tsplatterallover.Continueaddingallthecanolaoilthisway.Itshouldtakeabouttwominutes.
Addthesecondtablespoonofwaterandblendonmediumfor5seconds.Beginaddingtheoliveoildropbydropaswell.Oncethemixturestartstoemulsify,youmaypourtheremainingoilinasteadystreamuntilallofitisincorporated.Refrigerateuntilreadyforuse,upto3days.
CHAPTER7SoupsSoups,likesmoothies,areagivenwhenitcomestotheblender.Infact,noother
kitchenappliancecomesclosetoachievingthevelvetysmoothtextureablenderdoes.Animmersionblenderdoesanokayjob,butthedifferenceisdetectable,anditusuallymakesamess.
The blender can also make hot soup in minutes from whole vegetables—unbelievable,Iknow!Thefrictionofthebladescreatesheatthatwarmstheblenderjar’scontentsasitruns.Whileyoucanmakemostsoupsthisway—broccoli,squash,kale—Iliketoroastmyingredientsfirstforadeeper,richerflavor.It’samazingwhatamerehalfhour in theovencandoforveggies.Theystart tocaramelize,and theheatbringsoutasweet,nuttytaste.
This chapter contains hearty soups aswell as some lighter summer purees. Eatingsoupsyear-roundisanexceptionalwaytopacknutritionintoameal.Whetheryouservesoup as a meal’s starter or highlight it as the main course, you can easily count twoservingsofvegetablesintoyourdailyrequirements.
Chickenandvegetablestocksserveasthebaseformostofthesesoups.Ifpossible,make themhomemade—thenyouknoweverything you’re putting in your soup is goodandpure,withnounnecessaryadditives.Thecleanflavorofthestockwillonlyaccentuatethesoup’sstaringredients,givingthemtheprominencetheydeserve.
You’llalsosee thatmostof therecipesmakeat leastsixservings.Thesequantitiesarepurposefullylarge,whichallowsyoutofreezeportionsforlaterifyoudon’teatupthesouprightaway.It’sjustlikeputtingmoneyinthebank!
VerdantSpringPeaSoupserves4
Freshlyshelledpeasareexquisite.There’ssomethingsowonderfulaboutbreakingopenthepodtofindthoseplumpgreenjewelsinside.Frozenpeasarecertainlyafinesubstitute,though,andwillsaveyoutime.Whetheryouoptforfreshorfrozen,thisvitamin-C-richsouphighlightstheessenceofgreenpeasbecausethereislittletomasktheirnaturallysweetflavor,onlyingredientstoenhanceit—anditcanbemadeinajiffy.There’snodoubtyou’llgetrequestsforsecondhelpings,yespeas!
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
2leeks,trimmedandsliced
1shallot,peeledandsliced
1garlicclove,peeledandsliced
3cupsspring-orfilteredwater
4cupsshelledpeas,or2(10-ounce)bagsfrozenpeas
¼cupfreshmint
1teaspoonfreshtarragon
½teaspoonkoshersalt
Crèmefraîcheoryogurt,chives,andoliveoilforserving
Freshlygroundblackpeppertotaste
HeattheoliveoilinaDutchovenovermedium-highheat.Addtheleeks,shallot,andgarlic,andsautéfor5to8minutesoruntilsoftened.
Addthewater,peas,mint,tarragon,andsalt.Bringtoasimmerandcookfor5minutes.Turnofftheheatandallowthesouptocoolforafewminutes.
Usingaladle,transferthesouptotheblenderjarandpuree,intwobatchesifnecessary.Blendonmediumfor20secondsthenhighfor1minute.Donotfilltheblenderjarmorethanthree-quartersfull.
ReturnthesouptotheDutchoventogentlyheatitthroughagainifnecessary.Servewarmwithadollopofcrèmefraîcheoryogurt,chives,adrizzleofoliveoil,andasprinkleoffreshlygroundblackpepper.
AutumnSquashandPearSoup
serves6
Slightlysweetfromtheadditionofpear,thisbeautifulgoldensoupsaysautumnlikenoother.You’llgetagoodhealthydoseofbeta-caroteneandvitaminCfromabowlful,aswellasaveryhappybelly.
3acornor2buttercupsquash(oranyassortedfallsquash),about4poundstotal,cutinhalforquartersandseeded
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil,divided
3carrots,peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks
1mediumonion,sliced
4cups(32ounces)chickenbroth,divided
2pears,anyvariety,peeledandcored,cutintoquarters
1teaspoonkoshersalt
¼teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
¼teaspoongroundcinnamon
maplesyrupforserving
Preheattheovento375°F.Placethesquashcut-sideuponabakingsheetlinedwithparchmentpaperanddrizzlewith1tablespoonoftheoil.Bakefor1hour.
Meanwhile,heatthesecondtablespoonofoliveoilinaDutchovenovermedium-highheat.Addthecarrotsandonionandsautéforabout8minutesoruntiltheonionissoftened.Setaside.
Whenthesquashisfullycookedandcooledenoughtohandle,scoopitoutoftheskinandputhalfofitintheblender.
Add2cupsofthebroth,pears,carrots,onion,salt,pepper,andcinnamon,inthatorder.
Starttheblenderonlowandprocessfor10seconds,turningittohighandprocessinguntilvelvetysmooth.ReturntheblendedsouptotheDutchoven.Nextprocesstheremainingsquashandbrothuntilsmoothandaddthattothepotaswell.Warmthepureedsouponthestovetopuntilheatedthrough.Servewithadrizzleofmaplesyrup.
HeartyKaleandPotatoSoup
serves6–8
Iapologizeifyou’retiredofhearingmesayblendlightly,butIhavetounderscoretheimportanceofitoncemorewiththisrecipe.Potatoescaneasilyturntoglueintheblender.Whenblendedwithdiligence,thissoupisthickandrewarding.Theadditionofkaleafterblendinggivesadelightfultoothsometexturetothesoup.
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
1onion,coarselychopped(about1¼cups)
1garlicclove,sliced
3largebakingpotatoes(about2¼poundstotal),peeledandcutintolargechunks
7cupschickenbroth,divided
3–4cupskale(about4largeleaves),stemsremovedandcoarselychopped
¾poundcookedkielbasasausage,cutinto¾-inchthickrounds
½teaspoonfreshly-groundblackpepper
1½teaspoonskoshersalt
HeattheoliveoilinaDutchovenovermedium-highheat.Addtheonionandgarlicandsauté5to8minutesoruntilsoftened.Addthepotatoesandsautéanother3minutes,stirringfrequently.Pourin6cupsofthebrothandbringtoaboil.Reducetheheatandsimmerfor15minutes.
Whenthepotatoesarecookedthrough,pourthesoupintheblenderandpulsethreeorfourtimesonhighoruntilalmostsmooth,intwobatchesifnecessary.Donotprocessformorethan30secondsasthesoupwillbecomegummy.
PourthesoupbackintheDutchoven,addingthekale,sausage,andremaining1cupbroth,pepper,andsalt.Simmerforanother10minutes,untilthekalehassoftenedandthesausageisheatedthrough.
ChickenTortillaSoup
serves6
Seemslikealotofstepsheredoesn’tit?Okay,Iadmitit,thissoupmaybemoretimeconsumingthantheothersbuttherewardisgreat.Ifyouwanttoshortentheprocess,buyarotisseriechickentoshred.Thengostraighttothesoakingchilestep.Nowdoesitseemmoredoable?Ihopeso.I’dhateforyoutopassupthisflavorful,slightlyfierysoup.
7cupschickenbroth,divided
1¼poundsbonelesschickenbreasts
2driedNewMexicochilesorredAnaheim-typechiles,stemmedandseeded
8(6-inch)corntortillas,divided
3tablespoonscanolaoiloraroma-freecoconutoil,divided
1yellowonion,diced
3garliccloves,peeledandminced
4teaspoonschilipowder,divided
2teaspoonsgroundcumin
½teaspoongroundcoriander
1teaspoonkoshersalt,divided
3cupsdicedfire-roastedtomatoes,suchasMuirGlenOrganicbrand
1bayleaf
¼cupcilantro
Freshlygroundblackpeppertotaste
Dicedavocado,quesofresco,andlime,forgarnish
Bring3cupsofthechickenbrothtoaboilinalargeDutchoven.Whenthebrothcomestoboil,gentlylowerthechickenbreastsintothepot.Bringtheliquidbacktoagentleboil,thenturndowntheheattolowtomaintainasimmerwiththepotuncovered.Makesurethebreastsarecoveredwithbroth.Ifnecessary,addwateruntilthechickeniscompletelysubmerged.
Afterabout10minutes,turntheheatoff,coverthepot,andallowthechickentositinthehotliquidforanother10minutes.Afterthattime,removeoneofthebreastsandcheckitfordonenessbycuttingintothecenterofthebreast.Ifit’spink,itisnotdoneandyoushouldreturnittothebrothuntilit’scookedthrough.Removethecookedbreaststoaplateandcoverwithfoiltocool.
Next,usingyourhandsbreakupthechilesintoabowlfilledwithhotwater(notboiling).Allowthechilestosoakfor15minutes.Meanwhile,cutsixofthetortillasinto3-inch-longby½-inch-widestrips.Heat2tablespoonsoftheoilinaDutchovenovermedium-highheat.Addthetortillastripstothehotoilandfrythemforaboutaminute,gentlytossingthemtopreventburning.Whenthey’regolden,transferthemtoapaper-towel-linedplatetodrain.Setaside.
Reducetheheattomedium,addtheremaining1tablespoonoil,stirintheonionandgarlic,andsautéforabout8minutesoruntilsoftened.Add3teaspoonsofthechilipowderalongwiththecumin,coriander,and½teaspoonofthesalt;stirwell.Cookthemixtureforanotherminuteorso.
Addtheremaining4cupsofchickenbrothaswellasthetomatoes,bayleaf,cilantro,andremainingtwotortillas,torninto1-inchpieces;stirtogether.Bringtoagentleboilthenreducetheheatandsimmerfor15minutes.
Whilethesoupissimmering,shredthestill-warmchickenusingtwoforks.Holdabreastfirmlywithoneforkwhileyoutearthechickenapartintoshreddedpieceswiththeother.Continuetodothisuntilallthechickenisshredded.Sprinkletheremaining1teaspoonchilipowderand½teaspoonsaltoverthechicken;tossittocoat.
After15minutesofcookingtime,allowthesouptocoolfor5minutesthenusealadletotransferhalfofittotheblenderjar,addthedrainedsoakedchiles,andpulseseveraltimes.Donotfilltheblenderjarmorethanthree-quartersfull.
ReturnthepureedsouptotheDutchovenandaddthechicken.Turntheheattomediumandsimmeruntilthechickeniswarmedthrough.Seasonwiththepepper.
Servewiththefriedtortillastrips,avocado,quesofresco,andasqueezeoflime.
SpicyChickpeaSoupserves6
Richwiththeflavorofchickpeas,thishomey,satiatingsoupincludesfire-roastedtomatoesandpaprikaforavibrantspice.It’sthekindofsoupyouwanttodipathick,gooeygrilledcheeseinto.
3tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
2garliccloves,finelydiced
1largeonion,peeledandcutintomediumdice
2teaspoonssmokedpaprika
1teaspoongroundcumin
½teaspoonturmeric
½teaspoonkoshersalt
1(28-ounce)candicedfire-roastedtomatoes,suchasMuirGlen
2(15-ounce)canschickpeas,rinsedanddrained
4cupschickenbroth
Saltandfreshlygroundpeppertotaste
¼cupflat-leafparsley,finelychopped,forgarnish
Lemonzest,forgarnish
HeattheoilovermediumheatinalargesouppotorDutchoven.Sautéthegarlicand
onionfor8to10minutesoruntilsoftened.Addthespicesandseasoningsandsautéforanother2minutes.
Addthetomatoes,chickpeas,andbroth.Simmerfor5minutes.
Usingaladle,spoonhalfthesoupintotheblenderjarandprocessfor45secondsonmedium.Pourthepureedsoupbackintothepotandstirtogether.Addsaltandpeppertotaste.
Heatthroughandservewithchoppedparsleyandlemonzestforgarnish.
ComfortingBroccoliLeekSoup
serves6
Alighterversionofbroccolicheddarsoup,thiscreamlessblendisequallyrewarding.Theadditionofpotatogivesthebaseavelvetytexture,andasprinkleofcheddarcheesehelpsyouavoidofanyfeelingsofdeprivation.
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
1cupleeks,sliced
1carrot,peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks
2garliccloves,peeledandcutinhalf
1(8-ounce)russet(baking)potato,peeledandcutinto2-inchcubes(about1heapingcup)
½teaspoonkoshersalt
4cups(32ounces)vegetablestock
1(2-pound)headbroccoli,cutintoflorets(about7cups)
1cupshreddedcheddarcheese(4ounces)
HeattheoliveoilinaDutchovenovermedium-highheat.Sautétheleeksandcarrotfor6minutes.
Reducetheheattomedium-low,addthegarlic,andsautéanother2minutes.Nextaddthepotato,sprinklewiththesalt,sauté2moreminutes,thenaddthevegetablestockandbringtoaboil.
Reducetheheatandsimmerthestockmixturefor10minutes.Addthebroccoliandsimmerfor10moreminutes.
Transferthesouptotheblenderandprocessonhighuntilsmooth.Saltandpeppertotaste.Reheatifnecessaryandservewithshreddedcheddarcheesesprinkledovereachserving.
CreamyCauliflowerFennelSoupwithParmesanGremolataserves6
Theroastedvegetablesinthissouparesofragrantandtempting,youmaywanttoeatthemstraightoffthebakingtray.It’shardnottosnagafew,butyouwon’tregretblendingthemintoapleasingpuree.
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
1headcauliflower,cutintoflorets(about6cups)
1headfennel,coarselychopped(about2heapingcups)
1smallonion,coarselychopped(about1½cups)
2garliccloves,peeled
4cups(32ounces)vegetableorchickenbroth
Koshersaltandfreshlygroundpeppertotaste
ParmesanGremolata(below)
Preheattheovento400°F.Combinetheoliveoilandlemonjuiceinasmallbowl.Spreadthecauliflower,fennel,onion,andgarlicclovesonabakingsheet(ortwoifneededsoeverythingisinasinglelayer).Tosswiththeoil-lemonmixtureandroastfor20minutes.
After20minutes,useaspatulatotossthemixtureonthebakingsheetsandroastitforanother20minutes.Meanwhile,pourthebrothintheblenderpitcher;whenthevegetablesaredoneroasting,scrapeallthevegetablesonthebakingsheetsintotheblenderpitcheraswell.Processonhighuntilsmooth,about2minutes.
Heatsouponastovetopandaddsaltandpeppertotaste.SprinklewithParmesanGremolata.
ParmesanGremolata2tablespoonsfreshrosemaryleaves
1tablespoonlemonzest
1garlicclove,peeled
3tablespoonsgratedParmesancheese
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderandprocessonlowfor15seconds.Scrapedownthesidesoftheblenderandrepeatifnecessary.SprinkleoverCreamyCauliflowerFennelSoup.
GreenGazpachoserves6
Whilemanythinkofgazpachoasaspicytomato-basedsoup,therearemanyvariationstobefoundinSpain,itsorigincountry,andthisisoneofthem.Inspiredbysummer’sbountifulharvest,thistomato-lesssoupcombinesaplethoraofhealthygreenveggies.Serveitcoldinshotglassesorinasmallmugforacheerfulpresentation.
2cucumbers,seededandcutintolargechunks(about3cups)
1smallzucchini,cutintolargechunks(about1heapingcup)
1cupshelledpeas,blanched
½smallyellowonion,coarselychopped(about¾cup)
1greenbellpepper,seedsremoved,cutintoquarters
3tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
¼cupextra-virginoliveoil
2tablespoonswhitewinevinegar
1teaspoonorganiccanesugar
1teaspoonkoshersalt
1garlicclove
¼teaspoongroundcoriander
1teaspoongroundcumin
Pinchoffreshlygroundwhitepepper
1–2cupsspringwaterorfilteredtapwater
PlainGreekyogurtandfreshlycutchives,forgarnish
Placealltheingredients(excepttheyogurtandchives)intheblenderintheorderlisted.Processonlowfor20seconds,thenturntohighandrunonhighuntilvelvetysmooth.
Chillforatleast2hoursandservewithasmalldollopofplainGreekyogurtandfreshlycutchives.
CHAPTER8SaladsAsaladintheblender?Really?Yup,it’snojoke.Thewhirringblademakesamean
choppedkalesaladinminutes.However,mostdelicatelettuceleavesdon’tstanduptothemachine’spower.Homemadesaladdressingsdo,though.Ablenderisveryusefulwhenmakingcreamyvinaigrettesandemulsions.
Agoodsaladdressingenhancesingredients,addinganotherdimensiontofreshfruitsandvegetables.Likeeverythingelseyoumakeintheblender,whenyoumakeyourownsalad dressings, you control all the ingredients that go into it.What can start out as ahealthy, organic salad can turn into a sugar-laden, chemical-riddenmealwhen you usestore-bought dressings. Steer clear of those bottled concoctions and go for your ownblend.
Anotherbenefit:You’llsavemoney.Youcanmakejusttheamountyouneed,orwilluse in the followingweek, and forgo opening a large bottle that goes half uneaten andendsupinthetrash.
These salads go beyond lettuce and incorporate quinoa, lentils, and heartiervegetables for amore adequatemeal.You can always add a protein—chicken, shrimp,pork—forsomethingevenmorehardy.Theinclusionofheart-healthyfats,fiber-richnuts,andnutrient-denseseedsturnsthesesimplesaladsintosuperchargedmeals.
SpinachSaladwithBlueberryVinaigretteserves4
Itseemsthenutritionalbenefitsofblueberriesarebeingtoutedtodaymorethanever.AcoupleofhandfulsaddedtoavinaigretteandafewmoretossedwiththissaladwillboostyourvitaminCandantioxidantintake.Doyoureallyneedmorereason,though,thantheirsweetjuicytaste?
Forthevinaigrette
¾cupfreshblueberries
¼cupbalsamicvinegar
⅓cupextra-virginoliveoil
1teaspoonDijonmustard
½teaspoonkoshersalt
1teaspoonorganiccanesugar
Forthesalad
½cuppecans
1(5-ounce)bagbabyspinach
2headsendive,sliced
1carrot,peeledandgrated
⅓cupwholefreshblueberries
½cupcrumbledgoatcheese
Mixallthevinaigretteingredientstogetherintheblenderuntilsmooth.
Heatthepecansinasmallskilletovermediumheat,stirringconstantlyforseveralminutesuntiltheydarkenandbecometoasted.Removefromthestovetopandallowtocool.
Tossthespinachleaves,endive,carrots,blueberries,andcooledpecanswiththeBlueberryVinaigrette.Sprinklewiththecrumbledgoatcheese.Savetheremainingvinaigretterefrigeratedforupto5days.
ChoppedKaleSalad
serves4–6
Thissaladissubstantial,asarethepartsthatmakeit.Notallsaladleavescanwithstandthepoweroftheblender,butkalecan.Removetheribs,addtheleavestoyourblenderjarwithwater,andyourbladeswilldoallthework.You’llneedtorepeatthisactionseveraltimesforeachvegetableaddedtothesalad—theytakedifferenttimestodiceup,andyou’llneedtodraineachelementthoroughly—butit’sworthit.Theresultisacrunchy,uniformlychoppedsalad.
Forthesalad
¾cuppinenuts
1bunchkale,ribsandstemsremoved
2carrots,peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks
6radishes,cutinhalf
2ouncesbluecheese,crumbled(about3heapingtablespoons)
Forthedressing
1garlicclove,peeled
½avocado,pittedandpeeled
¼cupfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice(juiceofabout2lemons)
1tablespoonDijonmustard
2tablespoonswater
1tablespoonrawhoney
½cupextra-virginoliveoil
Putthepinenutsinaskilletandtoastforabout5minutesovermediumheat,stirringconstantly.Setasidetocool.
Next,putthekaleintheblenderandadd4cupsofwater.Pulse8to10timeswithshort,quickpulses.Drainthegreensandputtheminalargesaladbowllinedwithpapertowels.
Addthecarrotsandradishestotheblenderandfillwithenoughwatertocoverthevegetables.Pulseseveraltimesuntilchopped,drain,andaddtothesaladbowl.
Tomakethedressing:Placethegarlicintheblenderjarandpulseseveraltimes.Addtherestoftheingredients,excepttheoliveoil.Processonhighfor30seconds.Addtheoilandcontinuetoblenduntilthoroughlymixed.
Removethepapertowelfromthebottomofthebowlandtossthesaladwiththedressingandpinenuts.Sprinklewiththebluecheese.Tossafewmoretimesandserve.
ClassicCaesarSaladwithHomemadeGarlicCroutonsserves6
IfirstlearnedtomakeaCaesarwhenIwaslivingwithmysisteronesummerwhileIwasincollege.Shemademeagarlickysaladthatblewmeaway.Shortlythereaftershegave
meexplicitdirectionsforhowtomakeit.Thekeywaspouringtheoliveoilinaslow,thinstreamsothedressingwouldemulsify.
Somethingsjustnevergooutofstyle,andaclassicCaesarisoneofthem.MykidslovethissaladasmuchtodayasIdid20yearsago.Onecaveat:TheylikeitwhenIreplacethelemonjuicewithbalsamicvinegar.That’stheirlittletwistonabelovedclassic.
Forthesalad
1garlicclove,peeled
1anchovyor½teaspoonkoshersalt
2largeeggyolks
1teaspoonDijonmustard
1teaspoonWorcestershiresauce
2tablespoonsfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
½cupextra-virginoliveoil
2headsromainelettuce,washed,dried,andtornintobite-sizedpieces
½cupfreshlygratedParmesancheese
Freshlygroundblackpepper
Forthecroutons
2tablespoonsplus1teaspoonextra-virginoliveoil
1garlicclove,sliced
3slicessourdoughbread,cutinto1-inchcubes(about2heapingcups)
Putthegarlicintheblenderandrunonhighfor5seconds.Addtheanchovyorsalt,eggyolks,Dijonmustard,Worcestershire,andlemonjuice,andrunonhighfor10moreseconds.Scrapealltheingredientsdowntowardthebladewithaspatula.
Whilerunningtheblenderonlow,slowlypourtheoliveoilthroughtheopeninginthelidandblenduntilslightlythickened.
Makethecroutons:Heatthe2tablespoonsoilinaskilletovermedium-highheat.Addthebreadandstirconstantlyforabout3minutes.Addtheremainingteaspoonoilandthegarlicandcontinuetostir,toastingthebreadforanothertwominutes,oruntilthebreadcubesaretoastedandgoldenbrown.
Tossthelettuceleaves,Parmesan,pepper,andcroutonswiththedressingjustbeforeserving.
BibbLettucewithGrapefruitShallotVinaigrette
serves4
ThesweetandtartdressingherelightlycoatsthedelicateBibbleavesofthissalad,whicharebalancedbytheslightcrunchofsunflowerseedkernels.Whilethissaladshinesasaside,itbecomesastarwhentoppedwithgrilledshrimpandservedasamaincourse.
2shallots,peeledandsliced(about¼cup)
½cupplus1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil
⅓cupplus1tablespoongrapefruitjuice
1teaspoonorganiccanesugar
1teaspoonDijonmustard
1tablespoonorangemarmalade
1teaspoonfreshrosemary
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¼teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
1headBibblettuce
1grapefruit,peeledandcutintosegments
½cupricottasalata(1ounce),shavedwithavegetablepeeler
¼cuphulledsunflowerseeds
Inasmallsaucepan,sautétheshallotsin1tablespoonoftheoliveoilforabout4minutes.Sprinklewith1tablespoonofthegrapefruitjuiceandtheteaspoonofsugar.Cookonlowfor8to10minutes.
Whiskinthetherestofthegrapefruitjuiceandmustardtotheshallotmixtureandcookovermedium-highheatuntilitcomestoagentleboil.Stirintheorangemarmalade,rosemary,salt,andpepper;cookforanotherminute.
Transferthemixturetotheblender,addtheremaining½cupoliveoil,andprocessfor1minuteoruntilsmooth.TosswiththeBibblettuce,grapefruitsegments,ricottasalata,andsunflowerseeds,andserve.Savetheremainingvinaigrette,ifany,refrigeratedforupto5days.
SummerCornandAvocadoSaladwithCilantroButtermilkDressingserves4
There’snothinglikesweet,crunchycorncutrightoffthecob—andtossingitwithavocadoandacreamybuttermilkdressingtakesthedeliciousnesstoanevenhigherelevation.Tostretchthissaladalittlefurther,addinafewcupsofarugulaleaves.
Forthedressing
1smallshallot,peeledandcutinhalf
¼cupbuttermilk
¼cupmayonnaise
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
¼cupfreshcilantroleaves
1tablespoonwhitewinevinegar
½teaspoonkoshersalt
½teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
Forthesalad
4earscorn,shuckedandboiled
3greenonions,sliced
1avocado,peeled,pitted,andcutinto½-inchcubes
smokedpaprikaforserving(optional)
Pulsetheshallotintheblenderseveraltimes.Addtherestoftheingredientsforthedressingtotheblenderandprocessonhighfor1minute.Setaside.
Cutthekernelsoffthecorncobsandputinamedium-sizedbowl.Addthegreenonionsandavocado.TosswiththeCilantroButtermilkDressing.Seasontotastewithsalt,pepper,andsmokedpaprikaifdesired.Servecoldoratroomtemperature.Savetheremainingdressing,refrigerated,forupto3days.
CarrotQuinoaSalad
serves4
Quinoaisaquickandeasywaytoaddproteintoasalad.It’salsogluten-freeanddeeplygratifying.Thissaladholdswellandmakesagreatlunch-on-the-go.
Forthesalad
1cupquinoa
2cupsdicedcarrots(about1pound)
2teaspoonsextra-virginoliveoil
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
Forthedressing
1tablespoontahini
1tablespoonsoysauce
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
1tablespoonsesameoil
¼teaspoonsriracha
1tablespoonwater
1bunchscallions,trimmedandcutinto2-inchpieces(about5)
Rinseandcookthequinoaaccordingtothepackage’sinstructions.Meanwhile,preheattheovento400°F.Placethedicedcarrotsonabakingsheetandtosswiththeoliveoilandsalt.Roastthecarrotsfor15minutes,tossingtwiceduringthattime.
Tomakethedressing,placealltheingredientsminusonescallionintheblenderpitcherandprocessfor1minuteonhigh.
Tossthecookedquinoaandcarrotswiththedressingandchoptheremainingscallionforgarnish.
FrenchLentilSaladwithRoastedTomatoVinaigrette
serves4
Slow-roastedtomatoesaresweetandaddictive.Youmaywanttodoubletheamountyouroastsoyoucanhaveextrastosnackon.Thefragrantsmelloftheroastingonionsandtomatoesalwaysgetsmykidsinthekitchenasking,“Whatareyoucooking,Mom?”Theyusuallystayprettyclosebyuntilthesaladistossedup.
Forthesalad
1pintcherrytomatoes,cutinhalf
½largeredonion,sliced(about1½cups)
1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil
1tablespoonbalsamicvinegar
1teaspoonorganiccanesugar
1cupgreenlentils,rinsed
1bayleaf
1garlicclove,peeled
1carrot,washedandcutinto2-inchchunks
3cupsarugula
½cupcrumbledfetacheese
Forthevinaigrette
3tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
2tablespoonsbalsamicvinegar
¾teaspoonkoshersalt
Preheattheovento350°F.Lineabakingsheetwithparchmentpaper.Placethetomatoesandonioninabowlandtosswiththeoil,balsamic,andsugar.Spreadthemevenlyonthepan,flat-sidedown,andbakefor25minutes.
Meanwhile,putthelentils,bayleaf,garlicclove,andcarrotinasaucepanandcoverwith2inchesofwater.Bringtoaboil.Simmerovermoderateheatabout30minutes,oruntilthelentilsaretender.
Tomakethevinaigrette:Whilethelentilsarecooking,place¼cupoftheroastedtomatoesintheblenderwiththeoil,vinegar,andsalt.Blendonhighfor30secondsoruntilthoroughlycombined.
Drainanyexcesswaterfromthelentils,removethebayleaf,carrot,andgarlic,andputinabowlwiththeremaining¾cupoftomatoes,roastedonion,arugula,andfeta.
Tosswiththevinaigretteandserve.
Go-ToHerbVinaigrette
makesabout½cup
HowisitthattheFrenchcanmakesimplesaladgreenstastesosplendid?Everytime?IfindthemajorityofrestaurantsinFrance,fromthenorthtosouth,serveasmallhandfulofdressedgreenswiththesheerestvinaigrettethatisconsistentlyever-so-tantalizing.Whatisit,then,thatmakesaFrenchvinaigretteauthentic?Perhapsit’sthequalityoftheoliveoilandDijon,orthefresh,delicateherbs.We’llcallthisblendmy“Ffrench”vinaigrette.It’smydailygo-tosaladdressing.Hopefullyit’llbeckonyoutoeatyourgreenslikethoseblendsinFrancedo.
1smallshallot,peeled
2tablespoonsredwinevinegar
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¼teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
¼teaspoonorganiccanesugar
1teaspoonDijonmustard
2teaspoonsfreshtarragon
2teaspoonsfreshthyme
1teaspoonfreshoregano
⅓cupextra-virginoliveoil
Puttheshallotintheblenderandrunonhighfor10seconds.Scrapetheshallotoffthesidesoftheblendertowardthebladeusingaspatula.
Addthevinegar,salt,pepper,sugar,andmustard.Processagainonmediumforanother20seconds.
Addtheherbsandprocessagainfor10seconds.
Lastly,addtheoliveoilandruntheblenderfor1minuteonhighoruntilthedressingisthoroughlycombinedandtheherbsarefinelychopped.Stoptheblenderandscrapedownthesidesasnecessary.Serveovermesclunorotherdesiredgreens.
CHAPTER9BlenderBurgersI’mnotsurewhenmyzealforblenderburgersstarted,butboyohboydoIlove
them.Andmyfamilydoes,too.Theblenderquicklycombinesanarrayofingredientsthatcanbeformedintopattiesandcookedupinnotime.Addaveggiesideanddinner’sdone.What’snottolove?
Thesalmonandlambburgersaretwoofmyfavorites,butthenagainIalwayshaveahankering for pork sliders, and the black bean burgers are a staple in our house.Truly,they’reallverytasty.Therearealsomanyvegetarianoptionsforasatiatingmeatlessmeal.
Vegetarianburgersshouldnotbecomparedtomeatburgersfortextureortaste.Theseare not fauxmeat burgers, they are their own entity, teemingwith the earthy flavor ofvegetables,crunchytexturesofgrains,andsomehintofspice.
Veggie burgers are not as firm as meat burgers, either, and should be handleddelicately. Refrigerating the patties helpsmake themmoremanageable for cooking. (Ifyouhavetime,refrigeratetheburgermixbeforeandafterformingthepatties.)Don’tgetdiscouragedifyourburgerfallsapartonyourfirstattempt.Turnuptheheatandtryagain.Ahotpanhelpsthebindersintheburgercongeal.Alsoensurethatyouringredientsareasdryaspossibleattheoutset:Drainbeanswellandsqueezeoutunnecessarymoisturefromthevegetables.
Serveburgersonbuns,withsalad,orevenwithjustadollopofdipsuchastzatzikiorguacamole. I hope one bite is enough to inspire the enthusiasm I have for this simplepleasure.
Family-FavoriteSalmonBurgerswithQuickPickledCukesserves4
Theserobustburgerswillgivebeefburgersarunfortheirmoneyanyday—theyarebig,juicy,andflavorfuljustlikeaburgershouldbe.Watercressaddsanicebitetothefirmbutnot-too-firmtexture.Sinceketchupisn’tanoptionhere(oratleastIhopenot!),theQuickPickledCukesareamust.Theirzestycrunchmakesthemtheperfectcondiment.
Fortheburgers
1poundskinless,bonelesssalmonfillet,cutintolargechunks
3ouncessmokedsalmon
1largeegg
¾cupwatercress
1teaspoonlemonzest
⅛teaspoonfreshly-groundblackpepper
1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil
FortheQuickPickledCukes
½cupwhitevinegar
1tablespoonorganiccanesugar
¼teaspooncrushedredpepperflakes
⅛teaspoonkoshersalt
1wholecucumber,verythinlysliced
Tomakethecukes:Combinethevinegar,sugar,pepperflakes,andsaltinabowl;addthecucumberslices.Coverwithplasticwrapandallowtomarinateforatleast30minutesbeforeserving.
Tomaketheburgers,placealltheingredients(excepttheoil)intheblenderandpulsefourtofivetimesuntiljustcombined.Themixtureshouldbechunky.
Formthemixtureintofourpattiesandplaceonwaxedpaper.
Heattheoilinaskilletovermedium-highheat.Carefullyslidethepattiesintotheheatedskilletandcookforabout4minutesoneachsideoruntilheatedthrough.ServeonbunswithQuickPickledCukes.
PorkBurgerSliderswithTangyBarbecueSauce
serves4
Wearebigfansofslidersinourhouse.Isitbecausethey’resocute?Becausewefeellikewe’reeatingmore?I’mnotreallysure,butwelovethem.Inthesesweetlittlegems,porkandbeefarecomplementedbythesmokytasteofbacon.Somecheddarandonionarethrownin.Anddon’tforgetthehomemadeTangyBarbecueSaucethattopsthesebabies—you’resuretobecomeafan,too.
½smallredonion,cutintoquarters(about½cup)
7slicesbacon(about7ounces),cutintoquarters
¾poundgroundpork
¾poundgroundbeef
2ouncesgratedcheddarcheese(about½cup)
2tablespoonsTangyBarbecueSauce(recipefollows)
Plusextrabarbecuesauce,cheddarcheese,andcookedbaconslicesfortoppingtheburgers
Puttheonionandrawbaconintheblenderandpulsethreetimes.Usingaspatula,pushittowardtheblade.Addthepork,beef,cheese,andbarbecuesauce.Pulseseveralmoretimesuntiljustcombined.Donotoverblend.Ifneeded,turnthemixtureoutontoasheetofwaxpaperandkneadwithyourhands.Themeatshouldnotbecomepastyfromblending.
Usinga⅓-cupmeasure,makenine3-ouncesliderpatties.Grillorpan-fryuntilcookedthrough.Topwithextracheddarcheese,TangyBarbecueSauce,andcookedbaconslices.
TangyBarbecueSaucemakes1½cups
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
½smallsweetonion,cutintolargechunks
4clovesgarlic,peeledandsmashed
1½teaspoonschipotlechilipowder
1½teaspoonsgroundcumin
1½teaspoonsdriedoregano
1teaspoongroundcoriander
⅛teaspoongingerpowder
1½teaspoonsDijonmustard
½teaspoonkoshersalt
½teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
14-ouncebottle(1¼cups)organicketchup
3tablespoonswhitevinegarormoretotaste
2tablespoonslightbrownsugar
1teaspoonLiquidSmoke
Heattheoilina2-quartpotovermedium-highheat.Addtheonionandgarlicandsautéfor8to10minutesoruntilwellsoftened.
Addthechilipowder,cumin,oregano,coriander,ginger,Dijon,salt,andpepper.Stircontinuouslywhilestillsautéingthemixtureovermedium-highheat.
Next,addtheentirebottleofketchup(don’tthrowoutthebottle),andstirthoroughly.Bringthesaucetoagentlesimmerthenreducetheheat,continuingtostiruntiltheketchupstartstocaramelizeandbrown,about3to5minutes.
Addthevinegar,brownsugar,andLiquidSmokeandstirwell.Next,filltheketchupbottleabout½fullwithwater(about⅔cup)andshakeitup,pouringenoughofthewaterintothesaucetomakeittheconsistencyoftomatosoup.Heatthrough.
Usingaladle,transferthesaucetotheblenderjarandprocessonmediumfor15seconds,thenturnthepowertohighforanotherminuteuntilthesauceiscompletelysmooth.
Thissaucewillkeeprefrigeratedfor1monthorfrozenforupto6months.
HerbedGoatCheeseTurkeyBurgersserves4–6
Iknow,Iknow.Turkeyburgerscanbeblandandboring.Iguarantee,though,thesearenotanotherho-humbirdburger.Freshherbsinfuselotsofflavorintothemeat,andaschmearofHerbedGoatCheeseaddsevenmorecharacter.Toensureamoist,full-flavoredburger,lookfororganic,pasture-raisedgroundturkeywithwhiteanddarkmeatblendedtogether(90to93percentlean),steeringawayfromgroundturkeymadefromall-whitebreastmeat,whichtendstobedry.
FortheHerbedGoatCheese
2tablespoonsbuttermilk
1(4-ounce)loggoatcheese
1teaspoonfreshrosemary
1teaspoonfreshsage
1teaspoonfreshthyme
½garlicclove
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
Fortheburgers
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
¼cupredonion,coarselychopped
2garliccloves,peeled
½serranopepper,seededandcutinhalf
⅓cuplooselypackedchoppedflat-leafparsley
2tablespoonsfreshrosemary
1tablespoonfreshsage
2tablespoonsfreshthyme
1teaspoonkoshersalt
½teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
1largeegg
2poundsgroundturkeymeat
TomaketheHerbedGoatCheese:Combinealltheingredientsintheblenderandrunonmediumuntilsmoothandcreamy.Stoptheblenderanduseaspatulatoscrapedownthemixturefromthesidesandpushittowardthebladeseveraltimesifneeded.Setaside.
Tomaketheburgers:Addalltheturkeyburgeringredientsexceptthegroundmeattotheblenderandpulseseveraltimesuntilchoppedandcombined.Addtheturkeyandpulsetwoorthreetimesuntileverythingisjustmixedtogether.Donotoverprocessthemeat.
Formthemixtureintosixpattiesandchillfor1hour.Grilluntilcookedthrough.ServewithadollopofHerbedGoatCheese.
fromlefttoright:ZestyBlackBeanBurgers(front);PorkBurgerSliders,HerbedGoatCheeseTurkeyBurgers(center);TartLemonSquares,FudgyGluten-FreeBrownies,GreenGazpacho(rear)
LambPitaBurgersserves4
LikeSalmonBurgers,LambPitasarearegularinourdinnerrotation.Theycometogetherquickly,myfamilylovesthem,andtheymakegreatleftovers.Pairafewlambpattieswithlettuceleavesandasliceoftomato,addadollopoftzatziki,andyou’vegotamouthwateringmeal.
2garliccloves,peeled
2tablespoonsfreshmint
2tablespoonsfreshcilantro
2tablespoonsplainGreekyogurt
½teaspooncumin
½teaspoonturmeric
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
1½poundsgroundlamb
2teaspoonsextra-virginoliveoil
Wholewheatpitas
Choppedlettuceandtomatoes
Putthegarlic,mint,andcilantrointheblenderpitcherandpulseseveraltimesonmedium,usingaspatulaasneededtoscrapethesides.
Addtheyogurt,cumin,turmeric,salt,pepper,andlamb.Pulseagainthreeorfourtimesoruntiljustmixed.
Turnthemixtureoutontoasheetofwaxedpaper,usingaspatulatoscrapeallthemeatout.
Usingatablespoonmeasure,formthemixtureintosmallpattiesusing2tablespoonsperpatty.
Onceallthemeatisformedintopatties(youshouldgetabout14),heattheoilinacast-ironskilletorfrypanovermedium-highheat.
Whenthepanisthoroughlypreheated,cookthepattiesinbatches,turningthemwithaspatulaafterseveralminutes.Oncethey’rebrownedonallsides,turndowntheheatandcookforanotherfewminutes.Yourtotalcookingtimewillbeabout8minutes.Serveinpitaswithtomato,lettuce,andCoolingCucumberTzatziki(page109).
Super-SatisfyingBeetandChickpeaBurgers
serves4–6
Don’tletthelistofingredientsherescareyou.Iknowitseemslongandperhapsdaunting.Withthehelpoftheblender,though,everythinggetsmixedupinasnap.Thebalanceofbeansandvegetablesandbrownriceisimportanttoachievingavegetarianburgerthat’smorethanjustmush.Dippingtheburgerinbreadcrumbsbeforefryinggivesacrispygoldencrusttothepatty.
4tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil,divided
2tablespoonsbalsamicvinegar
2garliccloves,peeledandcutinhalf
1(6-ounce)beet,peeledandcutintochunks
3carrots,peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks(about1generouscup)
1largeredonion,cutintolargechunks(about2cups)
½cupcookedbrownrice
⅓cupoatflour
1largeegg
1teaspoongroundcumin
½teaspoongroundcoriander
3cupscookedchickpeasor2(15-ounce)canschickpeas,drainedandrinsed
⅓cupfinelygroundwholewheatbreadcrumbs
Goatcheeseandmixedbabysprouts(availablefromfarmer’smarkets),forgarnish
Preheattheovento375°F.Put2tablespoonsoftheoil,alongwiththevinegarandgarliccloves,intotheblender;processuntilcombined.Putthebeet,carrots,andoniononabakingsheet,tosswiththeoil-vinegarmixture,androastfor35minutes,tossinghalfwaythrough,oruntilthebeetisfork-tender.Removefromtheovenandallowtocool.
Puttheroastedvegetables,brownrice,oatflour,egg,cumin,andcorianderintheblendercontainerandrunonmediumfor10seconds.Usingaspatula,pushtheingredientstowardthebladeandrunforanother10seconds.Addthechickpeasandpulseanotheroneortwotimes,untiljustcombined.
Formthemixtureintopattiesandchillfor1hour.
Putthebreadcrumbsonaplateand,justbeforefrying,lightlycoateachpatty.Tofry,heattheremaining2tablespoonsofoilovermedium-highheatinaskillet.Gentlyslidethepattiesintothepanandcookforabout3minutesoneachsideoruntillightlygoldenbrown.Topwithasliceofgoatcheeseandsproutstoserve.
ZestyBlackBeanBurgers
serves4–6
Thespicycombinationofingredientsinthesepattiesputsthemsomewherebetweenaburritoandblackbeandip.Frythemupinahotpansothey’recrisp,withaninteriorthat’ssoftbutnotmushy,andyou’vegotablackbeanburger.Iliketoeatthemonasaladandnotabun,buteitherwaythey’llfillyouup.
1garlicclove,peeledandcutintoquarters
½smallredonion,peeledandcutintoquarters(about½cup)
1smalljalapeño,seededandcutintoquarters
¼cupfreshcilantroleaves
1teaspoonlimezest
½cupbluecorntortillachips,crushed
½cupsweetpotato(about½largepotato),cookedandmashed
3cupscookedblackbeans,or2(15-ounce)cansblackbeans,rinsedanddrained
1largeegg,plus1largeeggwhite
1teaspoongroundcumin
3tablespoonsgratedcheddarcheese
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
Putthegarlic,onion,jalapeño,cilantro,zest,andtortillachipsintheblendercontainer.Pulseonmediumthreeorfourtimesoruntiltheonionandgarlicarefinelyminced.Useaspatulatopusheverythingtowardthebladebetweenpulses.Addthesweetpotatoandprocessfor10secondsonmedium.
Addthebeans,eggandeggwhite,cumin,cheese,andsalt.Runtheblenderonlowfor10secondsoruntilcombined.Usethespatulatostireverythingtogether.Youwanttoretainsomewholebeansandnotletthemixtureturntoasmoothpuree.
Lineabakingsheetwithwaxedpaper.Makeeightpattiesusinga⅓-cupmeasure.Scoopoutthemixtureontothepreparedpanandpressdownslightlywithyourhandorthebottomofthemeasuringcup.Placethepattiesinthefreezerforatleast30minutes.
Whenthepattiesarechilled,heattheoliveoilinlargeskilletovermedium-highheat.Gentlyslideasmanypattiesasyoucanfitintothepan,withacoupleofinchesbetweeneachpatty.
Cookthepattiesfor2minutesoneachside,flippingthemverygently.Repeatbycookingthem1moreminuteoneachside(6minutestotal).
ServeonabedoflettucewithaspoonfulofSimplyGuac(page100)andPiquantTomatoandChipotleSalsa(page102).
QuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers
serves4–6
Filledwithgrainsandveggies,thesepattiesaresoftandmoistbutstillmaintainawonderfultexturefromthequinoa.ThesubtlehintofsageflavorsthesetenderburgersthataresmotheredinmeltedParmesancheeseandtoppedwithoven-roastedonions,whichmakesthemdeeplysatisfying.
½butternutsquash(about1pound),seededandcutinhalf
1½yellowonions,sliced
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil,divided
¾teaspoonkoshersalt
1egg
½cupgratedParmesancheese,plusmoreslicedfortopping
4freshsageleaves
¼teaspoonnutmeg
½cupbrownriceflour
3cupscookedquinoa
Preheattheovento400°F.Placethebutternutsquash,cut-sideup,ononehalfofabakingsheetandtheslicedonionsontheother.Drizzlewith1tablespoonoliveoil.Gentlytosstheonionstomakesurethey’recompletelycoatedwithoil.Spreadtheminasinglelayeronthebakingsheetandbake.Afterabout30minutes,justastheonionsstarttobrown,useaspatulatoremovethemfromthebakingsheet.Reservethemforlater.Bakethesquashforanother15to25minutesoruntilfork-tender(45to55minutestotalbakingtimeforthesquash).Removefromtheovenandallowtocool.
Whenthesquashhascooledtothetouch,scoopouttheinsides.Youshouldhaveabout1½cupscookedsquash.
Reserve¼cupcookedonionsforthetoppingtheburgersandputtherestintheblenderwiththesquash,egg,gratedParmesan,sageleaves,nutmeg,andbrownriceflour.Pulseseveraltimesuntilthoroughlyblended.
Usingaspatula,scrapetheblendercontentsintoabowlwiththecookedquinoa.Stirthemixturegentlytogetherandformintofourtosixlargepatties,dependingonyourpreference.
Preheattheovento350°F.Heattheremainingtablespoonofoilovermedium-highheatinanoven-safefryingpanorcast-ironpan.Whentheoilisniceandhot,gentlyslideintheburgers(asmanyasyoucanfitcomfortablywithoutthemcrowdingoneanother).
Lettheburgerscookforabout6to8minutesonthestovetop,flippingthemhalfwaythrough.Next,withtheburgersstillinit,placethepanintheoventobakeforanother8to10minutes.TopwiththeParmesanslicesafterabout7minutesofbakingtime,andremovefromtheovenwhenthecheeseismelted.Thetotalcookingtimeisabout15minutes.
Topwiththereservedoven-roastedonionsandserveoverabedofdressedgreens.
CHAPTER10MainDishesUnh-unh,there’snochickenintheblenderhappeninghere,Ipromise.Therearea
fewshrimpthatgetchoppedbytheblenderblades,though,andsomemightyluscioussaucesandfillingsareblendedup.Marinadesalsoplayamajorroleinthemaincoursesinthischapter.Theconcentratedflavorsenhancemeats,andtheacidityofthemarinadesmakesthemmorejuicyandtender.
All thesesaucescanbemadeinadvance,andmostof themcanbefrozen.WhenImake Spinach Chicken Enchiladas andArtichokeRicottaManicotti, I often double therecipe, assemblehalf in a foil pan, and freeze it for anothermeal.Homemadepreparedfood.Itmakesmesohappy!Afterabusyday,Idon’thavetothinkaboutdinnerknowingthere’sacompleteonethatonlyneedstobeheated.
Another bonus: versatility. Pesto of course is not just for rigatoni, andSpicyAïolicomplements many types of fish. Tikka masala sauce works well with almost anyvegetables,andredpeppersaucemakesagreatpizzacrusttopper.
CaribbeanShrimpFritterswithSpicyAïoliserves4
I’masuckerforallthingsfried.Idon’tthinkI’veeverturneddownapieceofcrispyfriedcalamariordeep-friedchicken.Andfritters,ohman.Applefritters,conchfritters,cornfritters—Ieat’emall.Youcanonlyimaginehowhighuptheseshrimpfritters—originallyacreationofmyfriendJenny—areonmylistoffavorites.Theymakeascrumptiousstarter,butalsoworkwellasamaincoursepairedwithsomesatiatingsideslikeAsianSlaw(page194)andSummerCornandAvocadoSalad(page139).
FortheCaribbeanShrimpFritters
¼cupchoppedonion
1garlicclove,peeledandcutinhalf
½redpepper,seededandcutintolargechunks
1cuprawshrimp,peeledandtailsremoved
2largeeggs
1cupall-purposeflour
1teaspoonbakingpowder
1tablespoonOldBayseasoning
½teaspoonblackpepper
¼–½cupwater
Peanutoil
FortheSpicyAïoli
1cuppreparedmayonnaiseorBasicAïoli(page113)
2–3tablespoonsDijonmustard
2–3tablespoonslimejuice
2tablespoonsrawhoney
2–3teaspoonsOldBayseasoning
TomaketheSpicyAïoli:Stirtogetheralltheingredientsinasmallbowl.Setaside.
Tomakethefritters:Puttheonion,garlic,andredpepperintheblenderandpulseseveraltimes.Addtheshrimpandpulseanotheroneortwotimes.
Inamediumbowl,lightlywhisktheeggs.Addtheflour,bakingpowder,OldBay,pepper,and¼cupwatertomakeasmoothbatter.Foldintheshrimpmixture.Ifthemixtureistoothick,addalittlemorewater.
Heatseveralinchesofpeanutoilinaskillet.Droptablespoonfulsofthebatterintotheoilandfryuntilgoldenbrown,about3minuteseachside,movingthemaroundsotheydon’tsticktothebottomofthepan.ServewarmwithSpicyAïoli.
SpinachChickenEnchiladaswithAnchoChileSauce
serves4–6
Thereareseveralstepstomakingthisdish.Youhavetomakethesauce,thenthefilling,andfinallyassembletheenchiladas.Youcanalwaysmakethesauceadayortwoinadvance,orevenassemblethewholedishadayortwobeforeyou’reservingit.Eachelementisimportanttothewhole,andtrulyworththeeffort.Thisdishisalwaysacrowd-pleaser.Pleasenote,youcanpurchasearotisseriechickentouseinthisrecipe,orrefertoChickenTortillaSoup(page122)forhowtopoachandshredachicken.
FortheAnchoChileSauce
3anchochilepods(about1½ounces),stemsremovedandseeded
1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil
1largeonion,coarselychopped(about2cups)
2garliccloves,peeledandsliced
1(32-ounce)canfire-roastedtomatoes,suchasMuirGlenOrganic
1cupchickenbroth
2tablespoonsbalsamicvinegar
2teaspoonsWorcestershiresauce
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlimejuice
½teaspoongroundcumin
½teaspoondriedoregano
½teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
Forthefilling
3cupsshreddedcookedchicken
1(10-ounce)packagefrozenchoppedspinach,thawed
1(15-ounce)canblackbeans,drainedandrinsed
1½cupsshreddedsharpcheddarcheese
1cupfreshorfrozencornkernels
4ouncescannedgreenchiles
1tablespoonlimejuice
¼cupfreshcilantroleaves
½teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
Fortheenchiladas
½cupshreddedsharpcheddarcheese
12smallcorntortillas
Tomakethesauce:Putthechilesinabowlandcoverwithboilingwater.Letstandfor30minutes,thendrain,reservingboththechilesandtheliquid.
Heattheoilinaskilletovermedium-highheatandsautétheonionandgarlicfor5to8minutesoruntilsoftened.Addthetomatoesandsoftenedchiles,andcookanother10minutes.Stirintherestoftheingredients,cookanotherminuteorso,andtransferthemixturetotheblenderalongwith½cupofthereservedchileliquid.Blenduntilsmooth.Setaside.
Tomakethefilling:Inalargebowl,putalltheingredientsfortheenchiladafilling.Add1cupoftheAnchoChileSauceandmixtogetheruntilwellcombined.
Preheattheovento350°F.
Toassembletheenchiladas:Pour1cupoftheAnchoChileSauceinthebottomofa9x13-inchbakingdish.Dipatortillainthesauceandfillwith3heapingtablespoonsoffilling.Rollupandplaceseam-sidedowninthebakingdish.Repeatwiththeremainingtortillas.Spoonabout1additionalcupsauceoverthetopoftheenchiladas,topwith½cupcheddarcheese,andbakefor20minutesoruntilwarmedthroughandthecheesetoppingismelted.
LemonTarragonChickenserves4–6
Thedelicateflavorofthetarragonpermeatesthechickenwhenit’smarinatedinthislemonyblend.Insteadofgrillingthechicken,youcanroastitina500°Fovenfor35to40minutes.Afterremovingthechickenfromthemarinade(saveitforthesauce),blotitwithapapertowelanddivideitbetweentworoastingpans.Rotatethepansseveraltimeswhileroasting.Finishwiththereservedmarinadeasdirectedbelow.
½cupextra-virginoliveoil
¼cuptarragonvinegar
½cupfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice(keeptherinds)
2garliccloves,peeled
2teaspoonsDijonmustard
1teaspoonkoshersalt
½cupfreshtarragonleaves,firmlypacked,plusextraforgarnish
1(4½-pound)wholechicken,cutintopieces
Putalltheingredientsexceptthelemonrindsandchickentogetherintheblendercontainerandblendfor30secondsoruntilsmooth.
Placethechickenintoaresealableplasticbagwiththelemonrindsandpourinthemarinade.Sealandmarinatefor8hours,orpreferablyovernight.
Preheatyourgrill.Removethechickenfromthemarinade(saveitforthesauce)andcook
itindirectlyfor30minutes(coalsorgasarehotononesideofthegrill,thechickenisontheother),turningasneeded.Movethechickentodirectheatforthelast15to20minutesofcookingtimetogiveitgoodcolor.Watchcarefullysoitdoesn’tburn.
Meanwhile,bringtheleftovermarinadetoaboilandsimmeronlowfor6minutes.Pouroverthechickenbeforeservingandgarnishwithfreshtarragonleaves.
ChickenTikkaMasala
serves4–6
Thischickenismygo-todishforentertaining.It’stheperfectanchorforanall-outIndianmeal:papadum,samosas,saagpaneer,vegetablebiryani,andofcoursenaan.Thejuicy,flavorfulchickenneverfailstogetravereviews.
3garliccloves,peeled
2-inchpiecegingerroot,peeledandcutintochunks(about⅓cup)
½teaspoonwholeblackpeppercorns
2tablespoonscashewbutter
¾cupplainyogurt
⅓cupwhitewinevinegar
⅓cupextra-virginoliveoil
3tablespoonstomatopaste
2tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
3tablespoonsHungarianpaprika
5teaspoonsgarammasala
¾teaspoongroundcumin
¾teaspoongroundcoriander
1teaspoonkoshersalt
2poundsbonelesschickenbreastandthighs,cutinto2-inchpieces
Forthesauce:
1cupchoppedtomatoes
2tablespoonstomatopaste
½cupplainyogurt
2tablespoonsbutter(optional)
freshcilantroforgarnis
Placealltheingredients(exceptthechicken)intheblenderintheorderlisted.Runonhighuntilsmooth,about2minutes.Remove½cupmarinadeandreservetomakethesauce.Transferthemarinadetoagallon-sizedresealableplasticbag.
Addthechickenandmarinate8hoursorovernight.
Preheatthebroiler.Removethechickenfromthemarinadeandblotitwithpapertowelstoremovetheexcessmarinade.
Placethechickeninaroastingpanandbroilforabout12minutes,turningthepiecesabouthalfwaythroughthecookingtime.Whilethechickenisroasting,makethesauce.Putthereserved½cupmarinadeinasmallpanwiththetomatoesandtomatopaste.Stirthoroughlyandbringtoalowboil.Lowertheheatandgentlysimmerfor8minutes.Just
beforeserving,stirintheyogurt(andbutterifyou’refeelingdecadent!).Stirinthebroiledchickenpiecesandanyremainingjuicesthathaveaccumulated.Heatthrough.Garnishwithfreshcilantroleaves.Servewithriceandnaanbread.
RoastedTurkeyBreastwithChipotleSauce
serves4–6
Theubiquitouschickenbreastcangetalittledullweekafterweek.Ifindturkeybreast,withitsespeciallyflavorfulmeat,awelcomechangeatthedinnertable.Toppingthebreastwithspicychipotlesaucecertainlyleavesnoroomforboredom.
FortheChipotleSauce
1(7-ounce)canchipotlepeppers
2teaspoonsgroundcumin
3garliccloves,peeled
3tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
3tablespoonsredwinevinegar
1teaspoonWorcestershiresauce
Fortheturkeybreast
1(3-to5-pound)bone-inturkeybreast
¼cupbuttermilk
¼cupwater
1avocado,pittedandpeeled
½teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
TomaketheChipotleSauce:Placealltheingredientsintheblendercontainerandrunonhighuntilsmooth,scrapingdownthesidesoftheblenderasneeded.Scrapeallthesauceintoagallon-sizedresealableplasticbag,reserving3tablespoonsfortheservingsauce.
Tomaketheturkeybreast:Usingasharpknife,makesmallslitsintheturkeybreast.Placeitinthepreparedresealableplasticbag.Sealandmarinateforatleast6hours.
Meanwhile,placethe3tablespoonsreservedChipotleSauce(orlessifyoupreferamildersauce)intheblenderwiththebuttermilk,water,avocado,andseasonings.Processuntilsmooth.Refrigerateuntilyou’rereadytouseit.
Whentheturkeyisfinishedmarinating,preheattheovento375°F.Blotthemarinadeofftheturkeyandplaceitinaroastingpan.Cookfor1½to2hoursoruntiltheinternaltemperaturereaches165to170°F.Allowtorestfor10minutesbeforecarving.ServewiththepreparedChipotleSauce.
SlicedSkirtSteakwithChimichurriSauceserves4
Skirtsteakisthecutofmeatfajitasaremadefrom.Longandthin,thesteak,fromthediaphragmofasteer,hasaveryvisibleloosegrain.Servetheflavorfulsteakwithchimichurrisauce.Alittlesalsa-esque,alittlepesto-like,thesauceoriginatedinArgentinaandistraditionallyservedasanaccompanimenttogrilledmeats.
2poundschoice-orprime-gradeskirtsteak
2garliccloves,peeled
½cupredwinevinegar
Juiceof1lemon
½teaspoonsalt
1tablespoonfreshoregano
¾cupfreshcilantro
½cupfreshflat-leafparsley
½teaspoondriedchiliflakes
⅔cupextra-virginoliveoil
Seasaltandpepper,forseasoning
Poundthemeatevenlywithameatmalletandsetitasideatroomtemperatureforatleast15minutes(preferably30)whileyoumakethesauce.
Placethegarlic,vinegar,lemonjuice,andsaltintheblenderjarandrunonmediumfor2minutes.Addtheoregano,cilantro,parsley,andchiliflakes;runonmediumfor20to30secondsoruntiltheherbsarechoppedandwellcombinedbutsometextureremains.Useaspatulatoscrapetheingredientsdownfromthesidesasnecessary.Emptythecontentsoftheblenderintoasmallbowlandstirintheoliveoil.Setaside.
Seasonthemeatgenerouslywithsaltandpepper.Grillthesteakoutdoorsovercoalorindoorsinagrillpanoverhighheatforabout3to4minutespersideoruntilyourdesireddonenessisachieved.Whenthesteakisfinishedcooking,tentitwithfoilandallowittorestfor5minutes.Slicethesteakagainstthegrainandspoonacoupleoftablespoonsofsauceoverit,servingtheremainderforthosewhowantextra.
MarinatedPorkTenderloinwithCranberryRelishserves4
Therearefringebenefitstothismeal:leftovers.Thetendermorselsofmarinatedmeatmakeadarngoodpressedsandwich.MyhusbandlikestolayertheporkwithslicedSwisscheese(orcheddar),perhapssomesautéedonions,andaspoonfulofcranberryrelishbetweentwoslicesofcrispciabatta.Hethenpressestheminapaninimaker,orsometimesoptsfortheskillet,pressingthesandwichwithasmallerheavypanontop.Therearesomanyoptions—youcouldaddavocado,pickles,MontereyJack,coleslaw.Havefun,beinventive.
Forthemarinade
2garliccloves,peeledandcutinhalf
2tablespoonsfreshrosemary
1tablespoonrawhoney
1tablespoonDijonmustard
½cupfreshlysqueezedorangejuice
Zestof1orange
¼cupextra-virginoliveoil
Forthepork
2porktenderloins,about1poundeach
Koshersaltandfreshlygroundblackpepper
2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
Fortherelish
1¼cupsfreshorfrozencranberries
½orange,seedsremovedandcutintoquarters
¼cupfreshlysqueezedorangejuice
¼cupmaplesyrup
1garlicclove,peeled
1tablespoonfreshrosemary,plusextrasprigortwoforgarnish
2teaspoonsextra-virginoliveoil
Tomakethemarinade:Putalltheingredientsintheblenderandprocessonhighfor60secondsoruntilthemixtureisthoroughlycombined.
Tomarinatethepork:Usingaknife,makesmallslitsintheporktenderloinsandplacetheminaresealableplasticbag.Addthemarinadeandrefrigerateforatleast4hoursorovernight.
Tomaketherelish:Combinealltheingredients(excepttheoil)intheblenderjarandpulseuntiljustcombined.Youwanttomaintainsometextureandnotturnthemixtureintoapaste.Next,heatthe2teaspoonsoliveoilinasmallpanovermediumheat.Addtherelishandcookfor10minutestomeldtheflavors.Setaside.
Preheattheovento400°F.Removethetenderloinsfromthemarinadeandblotdry.Generouslysaltandpepperthetenderloins.Heatthe2tablespoonsoliveoilinanovenproofsautépanorcast-ironskilletovermedium-highheat.Seartheporktenderloinsonallsidesuntilgoldenbrown.
Transfertheskilletorpantothepreheatedovenandroastthetenderloinsforabout12to15minutesoruntilameatthermometerreads140°F.Removetheporkfromtheoven,tentwithfoil,andletitstandforabout10minutes.
Toserve,cuttheporkin½-inchslices,placetheslicesonaplate,drizzleanyjuicesfromthepanoverthem,andgarnishwiththecranberryrelishandrosemarysprigs,ifdesired.
SpinachPestoSaucewithRigatoniserves4
Bynomeansshouldyouruseofthispestobelimitedtopasta.Spreaditonpanini,putitinaquiche,oraddittoadip.Youcanalsoplayaroundwiththeingredients.SubstitutekaleforthespinachortryRomanocheeseinsteadofParm.Andagain,goeasywiththeblendingsoyoupreservesometextureinthesauce.
¼cuppinenutsorwalnuts
2½ouncesParmesancheese
1garlicclove,peeled
2cupsfreshbasilleaves,washedandpatteddry
2cupsfreshspinachleaves,stemsremoved
⅔cupextra-virginoliveoil
½teaspoonkoshersalt
1pounddriedrigatoni
1pintcherrytomatoes,cutinhalf
½poundfreshmozzarella,cutinto½-inchcubes
Putthenutsinaskilletandcookonthestovetopovermedium-highheat,stirringconstantly,forabout4to6minutes.Setasidetocool.
Meanwhile,puttheParmesanandthegarlicintheblenderandpulse.Addthepinenutsandpulsetwomoretimes.
Addthebasil,spinach,oil,andsalt.Pulseuntiljustblended.
Cooktherigatoniaccordingtothepackagedirectionsanddrain.Returnthecookedpastatothepot,addthetomatoes,andtossimmediatelywiththeSpinachPesto.Stirinthefreshmozzarella.Servewarmoratroomtemperature.
ArtichokeRicottaManicottiwithSneak-It-InVeggieSauceserves4–6
MuchliketheSpinachChickenEnchiladaswithAnchoChileSauce,thisdishtakesseveralstepstoassemble.Ifyoumakethesauceinbigbatches,though,youcanhaveitonhandtocompletethisdish.Itfreezesreallywell.
Thisexceptionallypalatablesauceischock-fullofvegetables.WhileIprefertoembracethe ideaofhealthyeating,and teachkids (andadultsalike!) to loveveggies,sometimestheyjustwon’tbendandrefusetoeatwhat’sgoodforthem.EnterthisstealthSneak-It-InVeggie Sauce. The creamy reddish-orange sauce really looks no different from tomatosauce,butyouandIwillknowthepunchitpacks.
1largeegg
1(24-ounce)containerricottacheese(about2⅔cups)
⅔cupfreshlygratedParmesancheese,divided
1teaspoondriedoregano
½teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper,ortotaste
¼teaspoonfreshlygratednutmeg
1(14-ounce)canwater-packedartichokehearts,drained
1½cupspackedbabyspinachleaves(about2ounces)
10cookedmanicottishells
3cupsSneak-It-InVeggieSauce(recipefollows)
Freshbasilleaves,forgarnish
Preheattheovento350°F.Puttheegg,ricotta,⅓cupoftheParmesancheese,oregano,salt,pepper,andnutmegintheblenderandrunfor10secondsonhigh.
Addtheartichokeheartsandspinachleavestotheblenderandpulseseveraltimesuntilincorporated.
Usingaspatula,scrapethemixtureintoalargeresealableplasticbag.Cutoffonecornerofthebagandsqueezethefillingintothecookedmanicottishells.
Spread1cupofthesauceintothebottomofa9x13-inchbakingdish.Placethefilledmanicottishellsinthedish,coverwithanothercupofsauce,andsprinklewiththereserved⅓cupgratedParmesancheese.
Bakefor30minutesoruntilheatedthrough.Garnishwithfreshbasilleavesandserve.
Sneak-It-InVeggieSaucemakes3cupssauce
¼cupextra-virginoliveoil
1garlicclove,peeledandsliced
1smallonion,sliced
2carrots,peeledandcutinto1-inchchunks
1redororangebellpepper,seededandcutintochunks
1smallzucchini,cutintosmallchunks
1(28-ounce)canfire-roastedtomatoes
1bayleaf
1teaspoonkoshersalt
⅛teaspoonfreshlygroundpepper
Heattheoliveoilinaskilletovermedium-highheat.Addthegarlic,onion,carrots,pepper,andzucchinitothepan.Sautéfor8to10minutes,oruntilthevegetablesaresoftened.
Addthetomatoes,bayleaf,salt,andpepper;reducetheheatandsimmerforanother10minutes.
Removethepanfromtheheat,removethebayleaf,andtransferthesaucetotheblenderjarusingaladle.Runfor10to15secondsonhighoruntilthesauceisnearlysmooth.UseforArtichokeRicottaManicotti.
Vietnamese-StyleSummerRollswithPeanutDippingSauce
makes8rolls
Lightandrefreshing,theserollsareperfectforapicnic(ifyoutransportthemordon’teatthemimmediately,wraptheminadamppapertoweltokeepthemfromdryingout)orahealthydinner.Onceyou’vepreppedalltheingredients,theassemblymovesalongquitefast,butitdoestakesomepractice.Thericewrappersaredelicate,andcanteareasily.Giveyourselfafewtrialruns.Addsomeotherfillings,too:avocado,shrimp,chicken,scallions.Thepairingofcrunchysaladingredientswithsoftnoodlescreatesaninterestingcontrastofflavorsandtextures.Anddon’tforgetthepeanutsauce:It’stheicingonthecake.
3ouncesdriedricevermicelli
¼cupfreshlysqueezedlimejuice,divided
1teaspoonorganiccanesugar
1mediumcucumber,seededandcutinto4-inch-longmatchsticks
3smallcarrots,shredded(about1cup)
8(8½-inch)roundricepaperwrappers
Redlettuceleaves,cutinquarters
½cuplooselypackedfreshmintleaves
½cuplooselypackedfreshcilantrosprigs
½cupcrushedpeanuts
1tablespoonfinelymincedjalapeño
Cookthenoodlesaccordingthedirectionsonthepackageandtosswith2tablespoonsofthelimejuiceafterdraining.Setaside.
Mixtogethertheremaining2tablespoonslimejuicewiththesugarandsprinklehalfoverthecucumberandhalfoverthecarrots,tossinglightly.
Haveallyouringredientsforfillingtherollssetoutandready.
Spreadadampkitchentowelonthecounter.Fillapiepanwithwarmtapwater.Completelysubmergearicewrapperinthewaterandplaceitonthetowel.
Workingquicklywhilethewrapperispliable,layahandfulofnoodles(about⅓to½cup)onthewrapper,thenplaceonepieceoflettuce,sixcucumbersticks,1heapingtablespoonofcarrots,severalmintandcilantroleaves,andabout1tablespoonpeanutsonornexttothenoodles.
Wetyourfingersandpullthebottomofthewrapperupoverthefillings.Next,pulltheleftsideofthewrapperupandoverthefillingsandkeepittautasyourollthewrappertightlytowardyou.Repeatwithallthewrappers.CuttherollsandservewithPeanutDippingSauce.
PeanutDippingSaucemakes1cup
½cupsmoothpeanutbutter
2tablespoonssoysauce
2tablespoonssesameoil
2tablespoonsricewinevinegar
1garlicclove,peeled
½-inchpiecegingerroot,peeled
1tablespoonlimejuice
6tablespoonswater
Placeeverythingintheblenderandprocessonhighfor20secondsuntilsmooth.
CHAPTER11VegetablesYoucanusetheblendertocamouflageveggiesinyourdiet,butyoucanalsouseit
toplayupthosebeauties.Whilepureeingvegetablesmayseemlikeano-brainer,itdoesactuallytakesomethought.Addingsometypeoffatandspiceshelpsaddrichness,androastingorsautéingthoselusciousediblesheightensflavors.
Highlightveggiesasamaincourse.Fillyourplatewithtwopureesandaddasaladfortexture,orserveAsianSlawandCrispyZucchiniFrieswithaveggieburger.Veggiescan also greatly enhance a meat dish: Indian Spiced Spinach is an excellentaccompaniment to Chicken Tikka Masala (page 173) and Creamy Cauliflower MashperfectlycomplementsMarinatedPorkTenderloinwithCranberryRelish(page176).
Vegetablesaresogoodforyou that it’s reallyhard toeat toomany,as longasyouprepare them healthfully (no smothering in heavy cheese sauces!). They are low incaloriesandsugarandhighinvitaminsandfiber.Theyarealsorichinphytonutrients—active compounds that have been shown to lower the risk of disease,more specificallytermed antioxidants, flavonoids, and carotenoids, among others. Hundreds ofphytonutrients have been classified, and it’s this variety that gives vegetables theirdifferentcolors.Eatingawidearrayof typesandcolorsofvegetableshelpsensureyouobtain a beneficial level of phytonutrients in your diet. Just likeMama said, “Eat yourveggies!”
FrenchGreenBeanswithWalnutMisoButterserves4
Don’treserveWalnutMisoButterstrictlyforbeans.Tryitslatheredoncarrotsortossedwithbroccoliorevenmixedwithamélangeofsteamedveggies.
¾cupplus2tablespoonswalnuts
1garlicclove,peeled
2tablespoonssesameoil
1tablespoonricewinevinegar
1tablespoonwater
2teaspoonsrawhoney
3tablespoonswhitemisopaste
1poundFrenchgreenbeans
Toastthewalnuts:Putthewalnutsinadryskilletovermedium-highheatonthestovetopfor4to5minutesstirringfrequentlyuntiltheybecomefragrant.Removefromtheskilletandcoolbeforeblending.Place¾cuptoastedwalnutsandthegarliccloveintheblenderpitcher.Pulseseveraltimesonmedium.Usingaspatula,scrapedownthesidesofthe
blenderandpulseagain.
Addthesesameoil,vinegar,water,rawhoney,andmisopaste.Processfor30secondsoruntilblendedthoroughly.Setaside.
Heataninchorsoofwaterinaskilletandbringittoaboil.Addthestringbeansandcookfor3to4minutes.Quicklydrainandplacebackinthepan.Tosswiththemisobutterthentransferthebeanstoaservingdish.Coarselychoptheremaining2tablespoonswalnutsandsprinkleonthebeans.Servewarm.
BakedEggplantPuree
serves4–6
Thisdishistheperfectaccompanimentforroastedmeatsorpastatossedwitharichtomatosauce.Leftovereggplantpureealsomakesadeliciouspastasauceitself!Simplyheatitandtosswithpenne.Perhapsthrowinsomecherrytomatoes,too.
3eggplants(about3poundstotal)
3unpeeledgarliccloves
1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
½teaspoonkoshersalt
Forthetopping
1garlicclove,peeled
¼cupwholewheatbreadcrumbs
¼cupfetacheese
1teaspoonextra-virginoliveoil
Preheattheovento400°F.Cuttheeggplantsinhalfandplacethemonafoil-linedbakingsheetwiththeunpeeledgarliccloves;setthesheetintheoventoroast.After30minutes,takeouttheeggplant,butletthegarliccontinuetoroastforanother15minutes.
Inthemeantime,scoopouttheinsideoftheeggplantanddraininacolanderfor15minutes.
Tomakethetopping:Puttherawgarliccloveintheblenderandprocessfor10seconds.Addthebreadcrumbs,feta,andoliveoiltotheblender,andpulsefourtimes.Removefromtheblenderandsetaside.
Reducetheovento375°F.Squeezetheroastedgarlicoutofthepeels.Whentheeggplantisdrained,placeitintheblenderwiththeroastedgarlic,oliveoil,lemonjuice,andsalt.Pulseseveraltimes.
Pourthemixtureintoan8-inch-squarebakingdish,andsprinklewiththebreadcrumbmixture.Bakefor15minutesoruntilthetoppingisbubbling.Servewarm.
HerbedCarrot-ParsnipPuree
serves4
There’ssomethingverysatisfyingaboutthissweetandcreamydish,whichmakesitayear-roundfavorite.Thebrightorangepureeislightenoughtoserveinsummer,yetisalsonourishingenoughtobecomfortinginwinter.
1½poundscarrots(about9medium),peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks
¾poundparsnips(about3),peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks
1garlicclove,peeled
¼cupcoconutmilk
5teaspoonsextra-virginoliveoil
2teaspoonsfreshthyme
Placethecarrots,parsnips,andgarlicina2-quartpotfilledthree-quarterswithwater.Bringthewatertoaboil,thenturntheheatdownandsimmerthecarrotsandparsnipsforabout15minutesoruntilthevegetablesarefork-tender.
Whenthevegetablesaredonecooking,drainthemandputthemintheblendercontainerwiththerestoftheingredients.Processforabout30secondsonmediumoruntilthemixturebecomescreamyandsmooth.Serveimmediately.
AsianSlaw
serves4–6
Thetextureofshreddedcoleslawisanicecomplementtomanymaincourses,especiallygrilledfishandchicken.Foramoretraditionalslaw,mixshreddedcabbagewithBasicAïoli(page113).Thisrecipeusesawaterchoppingmethodthatquicklydiceslargeamountsofvegetables.However,itisveryimportantthatyoudrainthevegetablescompletelyoryou’llendupwithawaterymess.Useextrapapertowelsifnecessarytoabsorbtheexcesswater.
½headcabbage,coredandcutintoquarters
2carrots,peeledandcutinto2-inchchunks
1wholescallion,trimmedandcutinto2-inchchunks
1tablespoonsoysauce
1tablespoonlimejuice
1tablespoonsesameoil
2tablespoonsricewinevinegar
2teaspoonsdarkbrownsugar
½-inchpiecefreshgingerroot,peeled
1garlicclove,peeled
1tablespoonwater
Putthecabbageintheblenderandcoverwithwater.Pulsefourorfivetimesoruntilfinelychopped.Draininafine-meshsieveandputintoapaper-towel-linedbowl.Placeadoubledpapertowelontopofthecabbage.Repeattheblender-waterchoppingwiththecarrotsandscallionatthesametime.Drainthemixtureinthesieveandputitontopofthepapertowel.
Putalltheremainingingredientsinthecleanedblenderjarandprocessonhighuntilsmooth.
Removethepapertowelfromthebowlandtosstheslawwiththedressing.Refrigerateuntilyou’rereadytoserve.
CrispyZucchiniFriesserves4
I’mgoingtobecompletelyupfronthere:Thesetakemoretimethanyoumaythink.Ittakessomedippingandcoatingtoproduceperfectlycrunchy-on-the-outside,tender-on-the-insidezucchinisticks,buttheendresultiswellworththeinvestment.Ifyou’reshortontime,youcanalwaysusestore-boughtpanko.Thisbreadingmethodcanbeappliedtomanyfoods,includingshrimp,chickencutlets,eggplant,andamultitudeofothervegetables.Youcanshallow-frytheitemsforanevencrispiercoating.
6piecesfirmwholewheatbread
3–4largeeggs
½cupall-purposeflour
¾teaspoonkoshersalt
¼teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
½cupParmesancheese
2zucchini(about¾pound),cutinto4-inchfrench-fry-likestrips
Preheattheovento400°Fandlinetwobakingsheetswithparchmentpaper.
Removethecrustsfromthebreadandteareachsliceintoseveralpiecesasyouputitintheblender.Pulsetheblendertwoorthreetimes,untilthebreadresemblescoarsepanko-likebreadcrumbs.
Spreadthebreadcrumbsinathinlayerononeoftheparchment-linedbakingsheets.Bakethemfor6to8minutesoruntiltheyarethoroughlydried,butnotbrowned.
Whenthebreadcrumbsarefinishedbaking,setthemasidetocoolforafewminutes.Meanwhile,puttheeggsinashallowdishandlightlybeatthem.Inanothershallowdish,mixtheflour,salt,andpepper.Lastly,putthecooledbreadcrumbs(youshouldhaveabout1½cups)inathirddish(orpilethemonapieceofwaxedpaper)andwithyourhands,gentlymixintheParmesancheese.
Workinginbatches,dipeachzucchinistripfirstintheflour,thentheegg,thenfinallythebreadcrumbmixture.Arrangethestripsinasinglelayeronthetwopreparedpans(youcanreusetheparchmentyoubakedthebreadcrumbson).Bakethefriesfor20to25minutes,turningonceduringthebakingtimetoensurethattheyaregoldenandcrispyonallsides.
ServewithBasicAïoli(page113).
IndianSpicedSpinach
serves4–6
ThefusionofflavorsinthisdishwasinspiredbyMyraKornfeld,achef,teacher,writer,and—mostimportant—coconutgenius!Coconutmilksubtlymarriesthespinachandspices,creatingaharmoniousdishthatwillbegonebeforeyoucanreachforseconds.Mydaughterbelievesthatit’ssogood,shesaysit’slikedessert—andinmyexperience,notmanyspinachdishesgarnerthatreaction.
1-inchpiecepeeledgingerroot
1smallonion,peeledandcutintoquarters
1garlicclove,peeledandcutinhalf
1teaspoongroundcumin
1teaspoongarammasala
½teaspoonkoshersalt
2tablespoonswater
3tablespoonscoconutoil,divided
1shallot,peeledandslicedintothinrings
1tablespooncoconutflourorall-purposeflour
1(11-ounce)containerbabyspinach(about8packedcups)
½cupcoconutmilk
Freshlygroundblackpeppertotaste
Puttheginger,onion,garlic,cumin,garammasala,salt,andwaterintheblender.Processonmediumforabout20seconds,untilthemixtureformsasmoothpaste.Useaspatulatoscrapethesidesandpushtheingredientstowardthebladeandprocesslongerifnecessary.
Heat1tablespoonofthecoconutoilinalargeDutchovenovermedium-highheat.Meanwhile,dredgetheslicedshallotringsintheflourandgentlyslidethemintothehotoil.Stirthemlightlyuntilthey’regoldenandcrispy.Usingaspoon,transferthemtoaplatelinedwithapapertoweltodrain.
HeattheremainingoilintheDutchovenovermediumheat.Addthespicepasteandsautéforabout1minute.Addthespinach,tossitwiththepaste,andcookuntileverythingisthoroughlycombined.
Pourinthecoconutmilkandstirwell.Bringthemilktoasimmer,thenreducetheheatandcookonlowforabout4minutes.Seasonwithpeppertotaste,andmoresaltifneeded.Transfertoaservingdishandtopwithfriedshallots.
CreamyCauliflowerMashserves4
Thislow-carbalternativetomashedpotatoesissosilkyandsmooththatyoumayfindyoulikeitbetterthantraditionalspuds,whichcanturnoutlumpy,bumpy,andgluey.Justmakesureyoudrainthecauliflowerreallywellafterboilingit,perhapsevenplacingiton
apapertowelforafewminutesbeforepureeingtopreventawaterytexture.
1headcauliflower,cleaned,cored,andcutintoflorets
1garlicclove,peeled
1tablespooncreamcheese
2tablespoonsgratedParmesancheese
3tablespoonsmilk
½teaspoonkoshersalt
Freshlygroundblackpeppertotaste
Bringalargepotofwatertoaboil.Addthecauliflowerfloretsandgarlicclove.Bringthewaterbacktoaboilthenreducetheheattomedium-lowandsimmerfor8minutes.
After8minutes,checkthatthecauliflowerisfork-tender.Ifnot,continuetocookuntilitis.Drainwell.
Addthedrainedcauliflower,garlicclove,cheeses,milk,andsalttotheblenderpitcher.Runonmediumfor30seconds,usingaspatulatoscrapedownthesidesofthepitcherasnecessary.
Pourthemashintoaservingbowl.Addblackpeppertotasteandstirwell.
FreshCornCakesmakes12–15cakes
Thesegluten-freecorncakesarenottobeconfusedwithcornfritters.They’reflatter,morelikepancakes.Thebindersherearefresh-groundcornmeal(page43),eggs,andricotta.Thecornmealdoesgivethesecakessometexture.Ifyoupreferafinerconsistency,replaceallorhalfthecornmealwithall-purposeflour.Eitherway,thefocusistrulyonthecorn.
2trimmedscallions,whitepartsonly
1jalapeño,seededandcutintoquarters
2largeeggs
½cupricottacheese
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¼cupfinelygroundcornmeal
1½cupsfreshcorncutfromthecob,orfrozencornkernels
¼cupcrumbledgoatcheeseorgratedcheddarcheese
2tablespoonsunsaltedbutter
Sourcreamandfreshlycutchives,forgarnish
Placethescallionsandjalapeñointheblenderandprocessonmediumfor10seconds.Scrapedownthesidesoftheblender,pushingtheingredientstowardtheblade,andpulseagain.
Addtheeggs,ricotta,andsalt.Processagainonmediumanother10seconds.
Finally,addthecornmealandpulseuntilcombined.
Putthemixtureintoasmallbowlandstirinthecornandcheese.
Heat1tablespoonofthebutterinaskilletorfrypanovermediumheat.Usingatablespoonmeasure,scoopoutheapingspoonfulsofbatterontothepan,makingabout3-inchdiametercakes.Frythemforabout2minutesoneachside.Trynottoflipthemprematurelyasthey’llfallapart.Carefullylifttheedgeofonecakewithaspatulatoseeifit’sreadytoflip.Afterthefirstbatchisdone,addthesecondtablespoonofbuttertothepanandrepeatwiththeremainingbatter.
Servewarmwithsourcreamandchivesasgarnish.
RoastedRootVeggieswithRomescoSauceserves6
RomescoisagarlickysaucethatoriginatedinSpain.I’veencounteredquiteafewvariationsonthismildsauceovertheyears,andseenitusedinmanyways—overvegetables,withfish,andevenwithasalad.HereI’vepaireditwithroastedvegetables,butit’sevengoodjustspreadonapieceofwarmbaguette.
1anchochile,coredandseeded
3redpeppers,seededandcutinhalflengthwise,or1(24-ounce)jarroastedpeppers
⅓cuphazelnuts,skinned(page85)
1(14-ounce)canfire-roastedtomatoes,suchasMuirGlen
3garliccloves,peeled
2tablespoonsflat-leafparsley,plusextraforgarnish
2tablespoonsredwinevinegar
1teaspoonsmokedpaprika
¼cupplus2tablespoonsextra-virginoliveoil
3-poundassortmentofrootvegetables(suchascarrots,parsnips,purpleandwhitepotatoes,andsweetpotatoes),peeledandcutinto2-inchcubes
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¼teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
Preheattheovento450°F.Placetheanchochileinabowlandcoveritwithboilingwater.Allowittositfor30minutes,thendrain.
Placetheredpeppersonafoil-linedbakingsheetandsetintheovenfor40minutesoruntiltheskinshavebeguntocharandarewrinkled.Thenremovethepeppersfromtheovenandimmediatelyputtheminabrownpaperbagtosteam.Makesurethetopofthebagistightlyrolleddowntocreateaseal.Afterabout15minutes,thepeppersshouldbecoolenoughtohandleandyouwillbeabletoeasilyremovetheskins.Reducetheoventemperatureto400°F.
Meanwhile,putthehazelnutsintheblenderandpulsethemuntilthey’recoarselyground.Whenyourpeppersareready,addthemtotheblenderwiththereservedchile,tomatoes,garlic,parsley,vinegar,paprika,and¼cupoftheoil.Pureeuntilsmooth.
Putthecubedvegetablesonabakingsheetandtosswiththeremaining2tablespoonsoliveoilandthesaltandpepper.Roastfor40minutesoruntiltenderandgolden,turningthevegetablesseveraltimeswithaspatulawhileroasting.
TransfertheroastedvegetablestoabowlandtosswithRomescoSauce.Garnishwithchoppedparsleyandserve.
CHAPTER12DessertsWhenafriendofminerecentlyboughtablender,shebragged,“We’reeating
desserteverynight!Andit’shealthy!”Butisn’tthatanoxymoron?Healthydessert?Well,thisisthebeautyoftheblender:thesneak-it-infactor.Withtheblenderyoucanaddhealthyfatslikeavocadotochocolatemoussefortextureandblackbeanstobrowniesforfiberandprotein—withoutanyonedetectingit.Infact,sometimesitseemsbetterkeptasecret.Theideaofbeansinbrowniesdoesnotexactlyconjureupvisionsofabakery-likeconfection,butIswearittasteslikeone.
Myfriend,on theotherhand,uses theblender tomakehealthy“soft icecream”asshe likes to call it.Sheblendsup frozen fruit tomakea sorbet-likedessert.Try itwithyourfavoritefruit.Theblenderisalsogoodformixingupcrusts.Whilethedessertsheredocontainsugar,I’vekepttheamountslow,andtherearenumerousgluten-freeoptions.Whiledessertswillneverreplacethegoodnessvalueofvegetables,youcanalwaysmakethembetterwiththeblender.
LimeTartletswithCoconutCrustsmakes24tartlets
Thecoconutcrustsofthesetartletsareadessertinthemselves.MydaughterAnnalikestoeatthemempty.Shealsolikesthemfilledwithchocolateganache.Thecreamymascarponefillingisjustoneofmanythatyoucanusetofillthesesweetcrusts.Ascoopoflemoncurdwoulddoquitenicely,orperhapsevenasmallscoopoficecream.
2¾cupssweetenedcoconut
3largeeggwhites
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
Pinchofkoshersalt
1(8-ounce)containermascarponecheese
3tablespoonsrawhoney
1teaspoongratedlimezest,plusmoreforgarnish
Finelydicedpineappleandpapaya,wholeblackraspberries,orotherfavoritefruits,fortopping
Preheattheovento350°F.Greaseaminimuffinpanwithbakingspray.Putthecoconut,eggwhites,vanilla,andsaltintheblenderandrunonmediumfor1minuteoruntilthroughlycombined.Useaspatulatopushtheingredientstowardthebladeifnecessary.oruntilthoroughlycombined.Putabout1tablespoonofthemixtureineachmuffincup;pressdowneachonewithatarttamper,ormakeasmalldepressionusingyourfingers.Putthepanintheovenandbakefor15minutes,oruntilthecrustsarejustbeginningtobrown.Removethecrustsfromthepanverysoonafteryoutakethepanoutoftheovenso
theydon’tbegintostick.
Next,whipthemascarponecheese,honey,andlimezestintheblenderuntilcreamy.Filleachshellwithaspoonfulofthemascarponemixtureandtopwithatinyamountoffruit.Whenallthetartsarefilledandtopped,sprinklewithlimezest.Chilluntilreadytoserve.
TartLemonSquares
makes1(8-inch)pan
Theselemonbarshavetang!Thecrustisdenseandthickandisanequalpartnertothecitrusy,curd-liketoppingthat’start,butnottoomuchso.Thebasestayssomewhatsoft,butdoesn’tturnsoggyeither,whichmakesthesebarseasytobiteinto.Whenlifegivesyoulemons,makelemonbars.
¾cupold-fashionedrolledoats
¾cupwhitewholewheatflour
¼cupalmondflour
¼cupmaplesyrup
¼cupcoconutoil,melted
Forthefilling
4largeeggsplus2eggyolks
½cupfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice
¾cuporganiccanesugar
1tablespoonlemonzest
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
⅓cupalmondflour
Confectioners’sugar,fordusting
Preheattheovento350°F.Greasean8x8-inchbakingpanwithbakingspray.Blendtheoatsandtwofloursonmedium-highfor20seconds.Addtherestofthecrustingredientsandrunonmediumfor20seconds.Pressintothepreparedpanandbakefor15minutes.
Tomakethefilling:Putallthefillingingredients(excepttheconfectioners’sugar)intheblendercontainerandbeatonlowfor15seconds.Donotoverprocessorthemixturewillbecometooaerated.
Pourthemixtureintothepreparedcrustandbakeforanother25minutesoruntilthefillingisset.Usingafinesieve,dustthetopwithconfectioners’sugar.
FudgyGluten-FreeBrownies
makes1(9-inch)pan
Ifyouthinkit’ssneakytoaddpeppersandzucchinitoapastasauce(page181),howaboutputtingblackbeansinbrownies?Iknowitmaysoundunappetizing,butit’soneofthose“youhavetotryittobelieveit”scenarios.Thesegluten-freebrownies,withtheaddedbenefitoffiberandprotein,arealmosttoogoodtobetrue.Goahead,give’ematry.
8dates,pitted
½cupboilingwater
115-ouncecanblackbeans,drained
½cupunsweetenedcocoapowder
½cupoatflour
2largeeggs
¼cupcoconutoil
¼teaspoonkoshersalt
1tablespoonpurevanillaextract
⅓cupbrownricesyrup
1teaspoonbakingpowder
1teaspooninstantespressopowder
¾cupbittersweetchocolatebakingchipsorchunks
Putthedatesinasmallbowlandcoverwithboilingwater.Setasidetosoakfor10minutes.Preheattheovento350°F.Greasea9x9-inchbakingpanwithbakingsprayandlineitwithparchmentpaper,leavinga1-inchoverhangontwosides.
Drainthedatesandaddtotheblenderjarwithalltheingredientsexceptforthechocolatechunksandprocessonhighforupto2½minutes,oruntilthemixtureissmooth.
Usingaspatula,stir½cupofthechocolatechunksintothemixtureintheblender.Pourthebatterintothepreparedpanandspreadevenly.Sprinkletheremaining¼cupchocolatechunksontopofthebrownies.
Bakefor20to25minutesoruntilatoothpickinsertedintothebrowniescomesoutcleanofbatter(itmayhavemeltedchocolatefromachiponit,butyou’llrecognizethedifference—themeltedchocolateisthickerandsmoother).
Allowtocoolandremovethebrowniesfromthepanusingtheparchmenttoliftthem.Cutintosquaresandserve.
WholesomeChocolateMousse
serves6
Anothercovertdessert,thiscreamymoussefeaturesabaseofavocadosforagooddoseofpotassiumandfiber.Notwhatyou’dexpectfromarichchocolatytreat.
5dates,pitted
½cupboilingwater
¼cupchocolatechips
¼cupalmondmilk
2ripeavocados,pittedandpeeled
½cupunsweetenedcocoapowder
2tablespoonsmaplesyrup
1teaspooninstantcoffee
2teaspoonspurevanillaextract
Pinchofkoshersalt
Putthedatesinasmallbowlandcoverwithboilingwater.Setasidetosoakfor10minutes.Meanwhilemeltthechocolatechipsinadoubleboiler.Stiruntilcompletelymelted.Setasidetocool.
Afterthedateshavesoaked,drainthemandputthemintheblenderandpulseseveraltimes.Addthealmondmilk,avocados,cocoapowder,maplesyrup,coffee,vanilla,salt,andcooledchocolatechips.Blenduntilsmooth.
Spoonthemixtureintosmall4-ounceramekinsandchillforatleast2hours.
BlueberryCheesecakeBitesmakes30bites
Insteadofmakingatraditionalcheesecakecrustusinggrahamcrackers,IliketouseoatyBritishdigestivebiscuits,suchasHobNobs.Manytypesofcookieswillwork,though—chocolatewafers,gingersnaps,andplainbuttercookies.Weetabixcerealbiscuitsareanothergrainyoption.
1½cupscookiecrumbs,suchasHobNobs(orgrahamcrackers)
¼cup(½stick)unsaltedbutter,melted
3largeeggs
1½cupscreamcheese,softened(12ounces)
¾cupricottacheese
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
2teaspoonsorangezest
½cuporganiccanesugar
Preheattheovento350°F.Greaseamini-muffinpanandsetaside.Putthecookiecrumbsandbutterintheblenderandprocessuntilcombined.Usingateaspoonmeasure,putaspoonfulinthebottomofeachmuffincupandpressthemixturedown(youdonotneedtopushitupthesides).Bakefor10minutesoruntillightlybrowned.
Reducetheoventemperatureto325°F.Meanwhile,mixtogethertheremainingingredientsintheblendercontainerandprocessfor20secondsoruntilcombined.
Filleachmuffincupalmosttothetopandbakefor25minutes.Topeachbitewith½teaspoonSimpleBlueberrySauce(below).
SimpleBlueberrySauce2cupsblueberries
3tablespoonsorganiccanesugar
1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedorangejuice
Bringalltheingredientstoaboil,reducetheheat,andsimmerfor10minutes.Letthesaucecool—itwillthickenasitdoesso.UsetotopBlueberryCheesecakeBites.
Gluten-FreeRaspberrySwirlCupcakesmakes18cupcakes
Iswear,youwouldn’tknowthesecupcakesaregluten-freeifIhadn’ttoldyou(althoughIguessyou’dfigureitoutbytheingredientslist).Theyaredense,moist,andnottoosweet.Theadditionofpureedraspberrygivesazipthatiscomplementedbythesweetcreamcheesefrosting.Evennongluten-freefolksshouldgivetheseawhirl!Andnote,whilethere’sonly½teaspoonxanthangumintherecipe,pleasedon’texcludeitoryoumaynotbehappywiththeendresult.
2cupsraspberries
¾cupplus1tablespoonorganiccanesugar
3ounceswhitechocolate
6largeeggs
¼cupbuttermilk
4-inchpiecevanillabean,seedsscrapedout
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
½cuparoma-freecoconutoil,melted,orcanolaoil
¾cupcoconutflour
½cupwhitericeflour
½teaspoonxanthangum
½teaspoonkoshersalt
1teaspoonbakingpowder
Preheattheovento325°F.Linea12-cupmuffintinwithpaperliners.
Puttheraspberriesintheblenderandpureeonhighfor1minute.Pushtheraspberriesthroughafine-meshstrainertoremovetheseeds.Stirin1tablespoonofthesugarandsetaside.
Next,meltthewhitechocolateoveradoubleboilerandwhiskuntilsmooth.Setasidetocool.
Puttheeggs,remaining¾cupsugar,buttermilk,vanillabeanandextract,andoilintotheblender.Runonmediumfor10secondsoruntilblended.
Addthemeltedchocolateandpulseafewmoretimesuntilit’sfullyincorporated.
Finally,addtheflours,xanthangum,salt,andbakingpowder.Pulseagainuntiljustcombined.
Filleachlineraboutthree-quartersfull.Usingateaspoonmeasure,put1to2teaspoonsofraspberrypureeinthecenterofeachcupcakeand,withatoothpick,swirlitclockwiseintothebattertocreateamarbledeffect.Thebatterwillbesomewhatthick,sojustswirlasbestyoucan.Bakefor20minutesoruntilthecupcakesaregolden.FrostwithRaspberryCreamCheeseFrosting(below).
RaspberryCreamCheeseFrostingmakes2cups
6tablespoonsunsaltedbutter,atroomtemperature
3ouncescreamcheese,atroomtemperature
4cupsconfectioners’sugar
⅓cupfreshraspberries(about2ounces)
Putalltheingredientsintheblenderandprocessonmediumfor20seconds,thenscrapedownthesidesusingaspatulaandrepeattheprocess,continuingtoprocessandscrapeuntilthemixtureislightandfluffy.Youwillprobablyprocessforatotalof1to1½minutes.Becarefulnottooverprocessorthefrostingwillbecomerunny.UsetofrostRaspberrySwirlCupcakes.
ChaiTeaCakeserves12
Aninfusionofaromaticspicedblackteagivesthiscakeasubtlehintofcinnamon,cardamom,ginger,andclove.Themoist,fragrantcakekeepswell,andcanbemadeadayortwoinadvance.Thecreamyfrosting,alsoinfusedwithchaitea,ensureseverybiteisflavorful.
1cup(2sticks)unsaltedbutter
2tablespoonschaitea(about6–7teabags)
3largeeggs,atroomtemperature
1¾cupsorganiccanesugar
½cupfirmlypackedlightbrownsugar
2¼cupsall-purposeflour
1½teaspoonsbakingpowder
½teaspoonkoshersalt
¾cupbuttermilk
½teaspoonpurevanillaextract
Fortheglaze
1cupfirmlypackedlightbrownsugar
¼cupbuttermilk
2tablespoonsunsaltedbutter
1tablespoonchaitea
Preheattheovento350°F.Placethebutterinasmallsaucepanandcookovermedium-highheatuntilcompletelymelted.Addtheteatothebutter,reducetheheat,andsimmerfor1minute,stirringoccasionally,thenturnofftheheatandallowtheteatosteepinthebutterforanother5minutes.
Aftertheteahassteeped,pouritthroughafine-meshsieveintoasmallbowlorPyrexmeasuringcup.Usingthebackofaspoon,presstheleavesagainstthestrainertoensureallthebuttergoesthroughthestrainer.Discardthetea.Measureout¾cupofthebutterandsetaside.Usetheexcesstogreaseandflouradecorative10-cupBundtpan.
Next,puttheeggsandsugarsintheblendercontainerandblendfor20seconds.
Addthedryingredientsandpulseoneortwotimes.Finally,addthebuttermilk,vanilla,andbutter;pulsetwoorthreemoretimes,untilthemixtureisjustthoroughlycombined.Usearubberspatulatoscrapedownthesidesofthecontainer.Donotovermix.Ifthedryingredientsarenotcompletelyincorporated,stirafewtimeswiththespatula.
Pourthebatterintothepreparedpanandbakefor40to50minutes,oruntilatoothpickinsertedintothecenterofthecakecomesoutclean.Ifthetopofthecakestartstobecomeadarkbrowncolorafter40minutesofbaking,butthecenterisnotyetset,coverthecakewithfoilwhileitfinishesbaking.
LetthecakecoolintheBundtpanfor15minutes;thenturnitoutontoaracksetoverwaxedpapertocoolfor1hour.
Meanwhile,makethebrownsugarglaze:Placethebrownsugar,buttermilk,butter,andchaiteainasaucepanandcookovermediumheat,stirringconstantly,untilthesugarhasdissolvedandthemixturejustbeginstoboil.Removefromtheheatandslowlydrizzletheglazeoverthecake,allowingittorundownthesides.Alternatively,skiptheglazeanddustthecakewithconfectioners’sugarbeforeserving.
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookiesmakes2½dozen
Alongwithitsmanyotherattributes,theblenderworkswellasaspiceandcoffeegrinder.Wholebeansaregroundinsecondsbyblenderblades.Heregroundcoffeeisaddedtoaquinoacookiewithmeltychocolatechipsforawinningcombination.Quinoaflour,whichyoucanalsogrindintheblender(page42)givesthesegluten-freecookiesabitofanutty,earthyflavortoo.
¾cupcoconutoil,melted
¾cupfirmlypackeddarkbrownsugar,
2largeeggs
⅓cupalmondbutter
1tablespoonpurevanillaextract
1¾cupsquinoaflour
½teaspoonbakingsoda
½teaspoonbakingpowder
½teaspoonkoshersalt
3tablespoonsgroundcoffeebeans
1cupold-fashionedrolledoats
1cupbittersweetchocolatechips
3tablespoonsgroundcoffeebeans
Preheattheovento350degrees.Linetwobakingsheetswithparchmentpaper.Putthecoconutoil,brownsugar,eggs,almondbutterandvanillaextractintheblenderjarandprocessonmediumfor20seconds.
Addthequinoaflour,bakingsodaandpowder,andsalt.Runonmediumfor5secondsthenincreasethespeedtohighfor15to20moresecondsoruntiljustcombined.Useaspatulatoscrapedownthesidesasneeded.
Next,stirintheoats,chocolatechipsandgroundcoffee.Usingatablespoonmeasure,scoopmoundsofdoughontothepreparedbakingsheetabout2inchesapart.Bakefor8minutes.Thecookiesmaylookunderbakedbuttheywillfirmupastheycool.Allowthecookiestocoolonthebakingsheetfor5minutesbeforetransferringthemtoawireracktocool.
EasyWhippedCreammakes1½cups
Literally,youcanhavelushheavenlywhippedcreaminunder2minutesusingtheblender(thatis,ifyouhaveallyouringredientsreadilyonhand…itcouldtakeyoulongertomaneuverthevanillaoutofthebackofthecupboard!).Beforemyblenderinfatuation,Ialwaysturnedtomystandmixerforwhippingcream.Ineverevenconsideredmytall,trustyfriend.(Ihaveyettogiveitaname;it’sstilljustmyreliableunfailingBlender.)Well,folks,Blenderdoesthejob,andquitenicelyImightsay.Nosplatteringcream.Nowaitingaround.It’sdonebeforeyoucaneventhinktoomuchaboutit.Giveitawhirl.
1½cupscoldheavycream
1tablespoonconfectioners’sugar
1teaspoonpurevanillaextract
Putthecreamintheblenderjarandprocessonmediumfor20seconds.Turnthepowertohighandblendforanother20seconds.
Addthesugarandvanillaandblendonhighuntilthecreamisthickandfluffyandwillholdsoftpeaks.Pushtheingredientstowardthebladewithaspatulaifnecessarytoensurethatthecreamblendsevenly.Serveimmediately.
RoastedStrawberryIceCreammakesabout1quart
Itmayseemcounterintuitivetoroastsomethingthat’sbeingputintoicecream,butthere’sactuallygoodreason.Roastingstrawberriesintensifiestheirflavor,andbecausethesugarsbegintocaramelize,itpreventsthefruitfromfreezingrock-solidwhenblendedintoicecream.Servethiswithafewfreshberriesontheside.
1quartstrawberries,hulledandcutinhalf
1tablespoonorganiccanesugar
1(14-ounce)cansweetenedcondensedmilk
1cupwholemilk
½teaspoonpurevanillaextract
Preheattheovento375°F.Placethestrawberriescut-sidedownonaparchment-linedbakingsheet.Sprinklewiththecanesugarandroastfor25minutes.Allowthestrawberriestocool,thencoverthemandplacethebakingsheetinthefreezer.
Oncetheberriesarecompletelyfrozen,putthemintheblenderandaddbothmilksandthevanilla.Pulseseveraltimes.
Transferthemixturetoaplasticcontainerandrefreeze,orfreezeinanicecreammakeraccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions.
JustBananasIceCream
makes2½cups
Coulddessertgetanyeasierthanthis?InspiredbyEveSchaub,theauthorofAYearofNoSugar(Sourcebooks,2014),thisdessertis,asthenameimplies,justbananas.Eveandherfamilyembarkedonayearwithoutsugar,whichshewritesaboutsoentertaininglyintheaforementionedbook.Frozenbananaicecreamwasoneofthedessertstheysavoredduringthattime.
6bananas
Cutthebananasinto1-inch-thickslicesandspreadinasinglelayeronaparchment-linedbakingsheet.Freezeforseveralhoursoruntilfrozenthrough.
Putallthefrozenbananasintheblendercontainerandrunonmediumuntilthemixturejustbecomessmooth.Thebananaswillfirstbecomecrumbly,thenwillstarttobecomesmooth.Ittakesafewminutes,andyou’llneedtopressthemixturetowardthebladeusingaspatulaseveraltimes.
Iftheamountseemstoomuchforyourmachine,dividethebananasinhalfandblend.Runningyourblenderonlowalsohelpsprocessthebananas.Becarefulnottooverworkyourmachineduringtheprocess.Serveimmediatelyorrefreezeifthemixturebecomestoosoftwhenblending.Topbananaicecreamwithgroundnutmegorcinnamon,granola,ortoastedcoconut.
CherryliciousFrozenYogurt
makesabout1quart
Thisisoneofthoserecipeswherethebeautyoftheblenderisespeciallyapparent.Dessertinseconds,literally.Youcaneatthiscreamycherry-yogurtcombinationstraightfromtheblender,orputitinanicecreammakerforaslightlyfirmertexture.Youcanalsoswitchupthefruits.Tryotherfrozenberriesandreplacethealmondextractwithvanilla.
1poundsweetcherries,pittedandfrozen(about3½cups)
1½cupsGreekyogurt
¼cuprawhoney
1teaspoonalmondextract
Placealltheingredientsintheblenderandrunforabout20seconds.
Eatimmediately,freezeinanicecreammakeraccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions,orplaceinthefreezertofirmup.
SweetPeachIceCreamwithGlazedPecansmakesabout1quart
Freshpeachesarethestarhere,withsupportingrolesplayedbythemaplesyrup,cinnamon,andpecans,whichcouldtaketheleadgiventhechance.Theirsalty-sweetglazemakesthemhardtoresist.
Fortheicecream
1poundfreshpeaches,peeled,cutintopieces,andfrozen
4eggyolks
1cupcoconutmilk
2tablespoonsmaplesyrup
½teaspoongroundcinnamon
FortheGlazedPecans
2tablespoonsunsaltedbutter
1tablespoondarkbrownsugar
1cuppecanhalves
½teaspooncinnamon
Pinchofkoshersalt
Tomaketheicecream:Putalltheingredientsintheblenderandrunonmediumforabout20seconds.Transferthemixturetoaplasticcontainerandrefreeze,orfreezeinanicecreammakeraccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions.
Topreparethenuts:Preheattheovento350°F.Meltthebutterandbrownsugarinaskilletovermediumheat.Addthepecansandcook,stirringconstantly,forabout3minutes.
Transferthepecanstoaparchment-linedbakingsheet,spreadingthemevenly.Bakefor5
minutesoruntilgoldenbrown.Coolcompletely,sprinkleontheicecream,andenjoy!
AcknowledgmentsThisbookemergedoutofalunchbetweentwosixthgradersonewinterday—Susieand
Camilla,wholovetobake—andtheirmoms,onewithabeliefinblenders,andtheotherwholovestoblend.Girls,thanksforincludingusmoms.
I’d like to extend a huge thank-you to my diligent and discerning testers: JanetBalletto,SarahBrainard,LindaDubilier,MicheleFuncciusRoszko,JenniferHall,JennieHartman, Charlotte Haukedal, Camilla Kampevold, Joanne Konrath, Babs Mansfield,AmoreenaO’Bryon,MichellePerreault-Dougherty,andKaiaSmithback.Yourfeedbackispriceless.
Iwould also like to thankMarceyBrownstein for kindly loaningmeher beautifulkitchenware,andPeterAppelson forsupplyingmewithgorgeoussurfaces (andbelovedset of silverware!). I would also like to acknowledge Migliorelli Farmstand for itsoutstandingproduceandgood-naturedspirit.ThanksalsotoEveSchaubforinspiringmetoeatlesssugar.
ToMaya,Seiya,andJuliafordrinkingmilk,allkinds,againandagain!
I am especially grateful to Kyle and Nile for their enthusiastic taste testing andrecipe-namingefforts.
Iwouldalsoliketogiveaspecialshout-outtoPeterBosch,whodidwhatfriendsdo:youhelpedmeoutinatimeofneed.
Iamforever indebtedtoMichaelandJudithRosenthalforgraciouslyopeningtheirdoors,literally,evenwhentheyweren’thome.Iamsogratefulthestarshavebroughtustogether in our cherished locale. And I’ll be forever thankful to the Reisses, whosefriendshipandgenerosityIdeeplytreasure.
Ithankmymomanddadfortheirendlesssupport,forallowingmetoexperimentinthekitchenwhenIwasyoung,andshowingmebyexamplethevalueoffamilyandmealssharedtogether.
I am also grateful tomy sister Lisa, for herwillingness to test andmake amess,whichissounlikeher,andlettingmeblendendlesslyatthebeach.Atremendousthankstomyentireextendedfamilywhotaste-testedrepeatedlywhileonvacation,—evenlittleHenrik,whotriedthesoup.
I’d like to extend a big thanks to the Countryman Press team, includingMichaelLevatino,AnneSomlyo,andespeciallyLeAnnaWellerSmithforherbeautifulwork(andpatience),andtoSarahBennett,forallshedoes.
Anespeciallyhuge thanks toAnnTreistmanforherblendervision.Youamazemewithyourinsight,passion,andthoroughness;notreallysurehowyoudoallyoudo—andyou’resuchapleasuretoworkwith.
Iamforeverindebtedtomystaragent,SharonBowers,forherexceptionalguidance.Iadoreyouformanythings,includingyourwickedsenseofhumor.
AnnieKamin,Itrulyappreciatethatyousteppedinanddidwhatittakestogetthings
done;manythanks.NinaWeithorn,Iamwowedbyyourculinaryknowledge,hardwork,andenchantingsmile.
AndtotheprofoundlytalentedJustinLanier,whowasmycollaboratorandpartnerincrime.YouknowIwillalwayscarryaspecialplaceinmyheartforyou.Ithankyouformakingmyvisionarealitywithyourskillanddetermination.Andaninfiniteamountofthanksgoes tomy family,whostoodbymeevery step (orwhir) along theway.TomybrilliantandbeautifulgirlsAnnaandCamilla:Ithankyouforyourwillingnesstotryallthingsblended, tomodelandhelponset, and tocare—forothersand theworldaroundyou.AndIthankmydearestJimforhisunconditionallove,support,andwit.Iadmireyougreatly.Youmakemyheartsmile24/7.
IndexPagenumberslistedcorrespondtotheprinteditionofthisbook.Youcanuseyour
device’ssearchfunctiontolocateparticulartermsinthetext.
AAguaFresca,WatermelonCucumber,60–61
Aïoli,Basic,113
Almondbutter
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216CoconutAlmondSmoothie,57
Almondflour
flour,recipefor,36LemonSquares,206–7
Almondmilk
CranberryOrangeFrappe,56recipefor,31
AMenergybooster,50–51
Anchochiles
AnchoChileSauce,168inRomescoSauce,201
Anchovies
CaesarSalad,136
Appetizers.SeeDipsandsalsas
Apples
ZucchiniApplemuffins,78
Artichokes
ArtichokeRicottaManicotti,180–81HummuswithArtichokes,112
Arugula
FrenchLentilSalad,143
AsianSlaw,194–95
AutumnSquashandPearSoup,118–19
Avocados
ChocolateMousse,210
CornandAvocadoSalad,138–39inKaleSaladdressing,134RoastedTurkeyBreast,174SimplyGuac,100–101
BBacon
PorkBurgerSliders,150–52
Bananas
BananaCoconutLoaf,79JustBananasIceCream,220–21PumpkinSpiceSmoothie,57StrawberryBananaSmoothie,52–53
BarbecueSauce,Tangy,152
Beansandlegumes
about,22BlackBeanBurgers,160–61FrenchLentilSalad,142–43FudgyGluten-FreeBrownies,208–9HummuswithArtichokes,112RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDip,103soaking,tipfor,25SpinachChickenEnchiladas,168–69
Beef
SkirtSteakwithChimichurriSauce,175
Beef,ground
PorkBurgerSliders,150–52
Beet(s)
andCarrotJuiceTonic,56andChickpeaBurgers,158–59
Bellpeppers
GreenGazpacho,128–29VeggieSauce,181
Berries
WaffleswithTwo-BerryCoulis,65SeealsoBlueberry(ies);Raspberries;Strawberries
BibbLettucewithGrapefruitShallotVinaigrette,137
BlackBeanBurgers,160–61
Blenderbasics,17–27
kitchenessentials,18,19,22–23kitchentools,27tipsandtricks,24–25
Blenders,purchasing,15
Blendingprocess
healthbenefitsof,12,15versusjuicing,45tipsfor,15,24
Blueberry(ies)
AMenergybooster,50–51BlueberryCheesecakeBites,211Sauce,211Vinaigrette,132–33
Bluecheese
BlueCheeseDip,104inKaleSalad,134–35
Breads
BananaCoconutLoaf,79
Breakfasts,62–79
about,63BananaCoconutLoaf,79BuckwheatWaffles,64–65ChiaSeedPancakes,70–71PoachedEggswithFriedTomatoes,76–77RaspberryFinanciers,72–73SpeltFlourCrêpes,66–67SpinachEggCups,74–75ZucchiniAppleMuffins,78
BroccoliLeekSoup,126
Brownies,FudgyGluten-Free,208–9
Brownriceflour
inQuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers,162–63
BrownRiceMilk,recipefor,31
BuckwheatWaffleswithTwo-BerryCoulis,64–65
Burgers,146–63
about,147BeetandChickpeaBurgers,158–59BlackBeanBurgers,160–61GoatCheeseTurkeyBurgers,153–54LambPitaBurgers,156–57pantipfor,27PorkBurgerSliders,150–52QuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers,162–63SalmonBurgers,148–49
Buttermilk
about,22BuckwheatWaffles,64–65ChaiTeaCakes,214–15ChiaSeedPancakes,70inCilantroButtermilkDressing,139
Butters
CitrusZestButter,90–91WalnutMisoButter,189SeealsoNutbutters,recipesformaking
CCabbage
AsianSlaw,194–95
CaesarSaladwithHomemadeGarlicCroutons,136
Cardamom
PeachCardamomSpread,94–95
CaribbeanShrimpFritterswithSpicyAïoli,166–67
Carrots
AsianSlaw,194–95BeetandCarrotJuiceTonic,56BeetandChickpeaBurgers,158–59CarrotParsnipPuree,192–93Salad,CarrotQuinoa,140–41Salad,Kale,134–35SquashandPearSoup,118–19VeggieSauce,181
Cashewbutter
inChickenTikkaMasala,172–73
recipefor,82–83
Cashews
MushroomPâté,110–11
Cauliflower
CauliflowerFennelSoup,127CreamyCauliflowerMash,198
ChaiTeaCake,214–15
Cheddarcheese
BroccoliLeekSoup,126SpinachChickenEnchiladas,168–69
Cheese.Seespecificcheeses
CheesecakeBites,211
Cherries
AMEnergyBooster,50–51CherryliciousFrozenYogurt,222
ChiaSeedPancakes,70–71
Chicken
ChickenTikkaMasala,172–73ChickenTortillaSoup,122–24EnchiladaswithChileSauce,168–69LemonTarragonChicken,170–71
ChickpeaFlour,recipefor,42
Chickpeas
BeetandChickpeaBurgers,158–59ChickpeaSoup,Spicy,125HummuswithArtichokes,112
Chilepeppers.SeeAnchochiles;Chipotlepeppers;Jalapeñopeppers
Chipotlepeppers
ChipotleSauce,174TomatoandChipotleSalsa,102
Chocolate
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216ChocolateMousse,210Gluten-FreeBrownies,208–9HazelnutSpread,84–85
Chocolate,white
RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13
Cilantro
AnchoChileSauce,168ChickenTortillaSoup,122–24ChimichurriSauce,175CilantroButtermilkDressing,139EdamameDip,105LambPitaBurgers,156–57SimplyGuac,100–101TomatoandChipotleSalsa,102Vietnamese-StyleSummerRolls,184–85
Citrusfruit.SeeLemons;Limes;Oranges
CitrusZestButter,Whipped,90–91
CoconutButter,recipefor,90
CoconutFlour,recipefor,34–35
Coconutmilk
CoconutAlmondSmoothie,57IndianSpicedSpinach,197PumpkinSpiceSmoothie,57recipefor,32SweetPeachIceCream,223
Coconutoil
about,19ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216IndianSpicedSpinach,197RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13
Coconuts
BananaCoconutLoaf,79CoconutCrusts,LimeTartletswith,204–5
Coconutwater
AMEnergyBooster,50–51BeetandCarrotJuiceTonic,56
Coffee
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216
Condensedmilk,sweetened
RoastedStrawberryIceCream,218–19
Condiments
BasicAïoli,113ParmesanGremolata,127QuickPickledCukesas,148
Cookies,ChocolateCoffeeQuinoa,216
Coriander
ChickenTikkaMasala,172–73ChickenTortillaSoup,122–24TangyBarbecueSauce,152
Corn
andAvocadoSalad,138–39FreshCornCakes,198SpinachChickenEnchiladas,168–69
Cornmeal
WhiteCornmeal,recipefor,43
Corntortillas
ChickenTortillaSoup,122–24SpinachChickenEnchiladas,168–69
Cranberry(ies)
CranberryOrangeFrappe,56Relish,177
Creamcheese
CheesecakeBites,211RaspberryCreamCheeseFrosting,213
Crêpes,SpeltFlour,66–67
Croutons,Garlic,136
Cucumbers
CucumberTzatziki,109GreenGazpacho,128–29QuickPickledCukes,148RevitalizingRawGreenJuice,54–55Vietnamese-StyleSummerRolls,184–85WatermelonCucumberAguaFresca,60–61
Cumin
BarbecueSauce,152ChickenEnchiladas,168–69
ChickenTortillaSoup,122–23ChipotleSauce,174CucumberTzatziki,109IndianSpicedSpinach,197LambPitaBurgers,156–57
Cupcakes,RaspberrySwirl,212–13
DDates
ChocolateMousse,210CoconutAlmondSmoothie,57Gluten-FreeBrownies,208–9
Desserts,202–23
about,203BlueberryCheesecakeBites,211ChaiTeaCake,214–15CherryliciousFrozenYogurt,222ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216ChocolateMousse,210EasyWhippedCream,217Gluten-FreeBrownies,208–9Gluten-FreeRaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13IceCream,JustBananas,220–21IceCream,RoastedStrawberry,218–19IceCream,SweetPeach,223LemonSquares,206–7LimeTartlets,204–5
Dijonmustard
about,23indressing,forChoppedKaleSalad,133–35HerbVinaigrette,144–45SpicyAïoli,167
Dill
CucumberTzatziki,109
Dipsandsalsas,96–113
about,97BasicAïoli,113BlueCheeseDip,104CucumberTzatziki,109HummuswithArtichokes,112
MushroomPâté,110–11RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDip,103Salsa,PineappleMango,99Salsa,TomatoandChipotle,102SimplyGuac,100–101Super-EasyEdamameDip,105
Drinks,44–61
AMEnergyBooster,50–51BeetandCarrotJuiceTonic,56CoolMintSlush,46–47Frappe,CranberryOrange,56Juice,PineappleGinger,58–59Juice,RevitalizingRawGreen,54–55MangoandGreekYogurtFreeze,48–49Smoothie,CoconutAlmond,57Smoothie,PumpkinSpice,57Smoothie,StrawberryBanana,52–53WatermelonCucumberAguaFresca,60–61
EEdamameDip,Super-Easy,105
EggplantPuree,190
Eggs
BasicAïoli,113CaesarSalad,136CreamyTarragonSauce,inPoachedEggs,77Poached,withFriedTomatoes,76–77SpeltFlourCrêpes,66–67SpinachEggCups,74–75
Endive
SpinachSalad,132–33
FFatsandoils,about,19
Fennel
CauliflowerFennelSoup,127
Fetacheese
inEggplantPureetopping,190FrenchLentilSalad,142–43
Flours,gluten-free.SeeNutflours,recipesformaking
Flours,wholegrain.SeeOat flour;Whitewholewheat flour;Wholewheat flour, recipefor
Freezeressentials,18
FrenchGreenBeanswithWalnutMisoButter,188–89
FrenchLentilSaladwithRoastedTomatoVinaigrette,143
FreshPineappleMangoSalsa,99
Frostingsandglazes
glaze,forChaiTeaCakes,214RaspberryCreamCheeseFrosting,213
Frozentreats
CherryliciousFrozenYogurt,222JustBananasIceCream,220–21`StrawberryIceCream,218–19SweetPeachIceCream,223
Fruitspreads,90–95
about,81CardamomPeach,94–95CitrusZestButter,90–91QuickStrawberry,92–93
FudgyGluten-FreeBrownies,208–9
GGarammasala
ChickenTikkaMasala,172–73IndianSpicedSpinach,197
Garlic
BarbecueSauce,152ChipotleSauce,174GarlicCroutons,136RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDip,103RomescoSauce,201
Gazpacho,Green,128–29
Gingerroot
ChickenTikkaMasala,172–73IndianSpicedSpinach,197PeanutDippingSauce,185PineappleGingerJuice,58–59PineappleMangoSalsa,99
Glazes.SeeFrostingsandglazes
Gluten-freeflourrecipes
BuckwheatWaffles,64–65ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216FudgyBrownies,208–9RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13
Gluten-freeflours.SeeNutflours,recipesformaking
Goatcheese
FreshCornCakes,199SpinachSalad,132–33TurkeyBurgers,153
Grains
about,22,25tipforsoaking,25
Greekyogurt
CherryliciousFrozenYogurt,222CucumberTzatziki,109MangoandGreekYogurtFreeze,48–49SeealsoYogurt,plain
Greenbeans
FrenchGreenBeanswithWalnutMisoButter,188–89
GreenGazpacho,128–29
Gruyèrecheese
SpinachEggCups,74–75
Guacamole,100–101
HHazelnuts
HazelnutSpread,84–85RomescoSauce,201
Healthbenefits
ofblending,12,15forfatsandoils,19inphytonutrients,187
Hempseedmilk
recipefor,32StrawberryBananaSmoothie,52–53
Hempseeds
AMEnergyBooster,50–51
HerbedCarrot-ParsnipPuree,192–93
HerbedGoatCheeseTurkeyBurgers,153–54
Herbsandspices,about,23
Seealsospecificherbsandspices
HerbVinaigrette,144–45
Honey,about,23
IIceCream
JustBananas,220–21RoastedStrawberry,218–19SweetPeach,223
Ingredients,purchasing,19
JJalapeñopeppers
BlackBeanBurgers,160–61CornCakes,198PineappleMangoSalsa,99SimplyGuac,100–101
Juicingversusblending,45
JustBananasIceCream,220–21
KKale
AMEnergyBooster,50–51KaleSalad,134–35andPotatoSoup,120–21
Ketchup
TangyBarbecueSauce,152
Kielbasasausage
KaleandPotatoSoup,120–21
LLamb,ground
LambPitaBurgers,156–57
Leeks
BroccoliLeekSoup,126SpringPeaSoup,116–17
Lemons
ChimichurriSauce,175CoolMintSlush,46–47dressing,inKaleSalad,134LemonSquares,Tart,206–7LemonTarragonChicken,170–71ParmesanGremolata,127
LentilSalad,143
Lettuce.Seespecificlettuces
Limes
LimeTartletswithCoconutCrusts,204–5PineappleMangoSalsa,98–99SimplyGuac,100–101SpicyAïoli,167Vietnamese-StyleSummerRolls,184–85
MMaindishes,164–85
about,165CaribbeanShrimpFritters,166–67Chicken,LemonTarragon,170–71ChickenEnchiladaswithAnchoChileSauce,168–69ChickenTikkaMasala,172–73ManicottiwithVeggieSauce,180–81PorkTenderloinwithCranberryRelish,176–77SkirtSteakwithChimichurriSauce,175SpinachPestoSaucewithRigatoni,178–79TurkeyBreast,Roasted,174Vietnamese-StyleSummerRolls,184–85
Mangoes
andGreekYogurtFreeze,48–49PineappleMangoSalsa,99
ManicottiwithVeggieSauce,180–81
MaplePecanButter,86
Maplesyrup,23
CranberryRelish,177
SweetPeachIceCream,223
MarinatedPorkTenderloinwithCranberryRelish,176–77
Mascarponecheese
LimeTartlets,204–5
Mayonnaise
BasicAïoli,113
Milks,about,22
Mint
CoolMintSlush,46–47LambPitaBurgers,156–57PineappleMangoSalsa,99SpringPeaSoup,116–17Vietnamese-StyleSummerRolls,184–85
Misopaste
EdamameDip,105WalnutMisoButter,189
Mozzarellacheese
PestoSaucewithRigatoni,178–79
Muffins,ZucchiniApple,78
MushroomPâté,110–11
Mustard.SeeDijonmustard
NNoodles,rice
SummerRollswithPeanutDippingSauce,182–85
Nutbutters,recipesformaking,82–90
about,81CreamyCashew,82–83MaplePecan,86RichCoconut,90SmoothAlmond,88–89Spread,ChocolateHazelnut,84–85SweetPistachio,87SeealsoAlmondbutter;Cashewbutter
Nutflours,recipesformaking,34–43
about,29Almond,36–37
Chickpea,42Coconut,34–35Oat,40–41Quinoa,42WhiteCornmeal,43WhiteRice,43SeealsoAlmondflour;Oatflour;Quinoaflour
Nutmilks,recipesformaking,30–33
about,22,29AlmondMilk,31BrownRiceMilk,31CoconutMilk,32HempSeedMilk,32tipfor,27SeealsoAlmondmilk;Coconutmilk;Hempseedmilk
Nutsandseeds
about,22tipsforsoaking,25Seealsospecificnutsandseeds
OOatflour
BeetandChickpeaBurgers,158–59Gluten-FreeBrownies,208–9recipefor,40TurkeyBurgers,153–54
Oats,rolled
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216
Oilsandfats,about,19
OldBayseasoning
ShrimpFritters,166–67
Oliveoil
about,19BasicAïoli,113BlueberryVinaigrette,133dressing,inCaesarSalad,136GrapefruitShallotVinaigrette,137HerbVinaigrette,144–45SpinachPestoSauce,178
Onions
AnchoChileSauce,168
Onions,red
BeetandChickpeaBurgers,158–59BlackBeanBurgers,160–61FrenchLentilSalad,143PorkBurgerSliders,151–52SimplyGuac,100–101
Onions,sweet
TangyBarbecueSauce,152
Oranges
BeetandCarrotJuiceTonic,58CitrusZestButter,90–91CranberryOrangeFrappe,56inCranberryRelish,177inPorkTenderloinmarinade,176
Oregano
ChimichurriSauce,175HerbVinaigrette,144–45
PPancakes,ChiaSeed,70–71
Pantryessentials,18
Parmesancheese
ManicottiwithVeggieSauce,180–81ParmesanGremolata,127QuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers,162–63SpinachPestoSauce,178
Parsnips
Carrot-ParsnipPuree,192–93
Pasta
ManicottiwithVeggieSauce,180–81PestoSaucewithRigatoni,178–79
Pâté,Mushroom,110–11
Peach(es)
IceCreamwithGlazedPecans,223PeachCardamomSpread,94–95
PeanutButter
PeanutDippingSauce,185
Peanutoil,about,19
Pears
SquashandPearSoup,118–19
Peas
GreenGazpacho,128–29SpringPeaSoup,116–17
Pecans
Glazed,223MaplePecanButter,86SpinachSalad,132–33
Peppers,green.SeeBellpeppers
Peppers,hot.SeeAnchochiles;Chipotlepeppers;Jalapeñopeppers
Peppers,red
inRomescoSauce,201
Phyticacid,25
Phytonutrients,187
PickledCukes,Quick,148
Pineapples
BananaCoconutLoaf,79PinappleGingerJuice,58–59PineappleMangoSalsa,99
Pinenuts
KaleSalad,134–35SpinachPestoSauce,178
PistachioButter,Sweet,87
PorkBurgerSliders,150–51
PorkTenderloinwithCranberryRelish,176–77
Potato(es)
BroccoliLeekSoup,126-KaleSoup,120–21
Producebinessentials,18
PumpkinSpiceSmoothie,57
QQuinoa
andButternutSquashBurgers,162–63CarrotQuinoaSalad,140–41
Quinoaflour
ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216recipefor,42
RRadishes
ChoppedKaleSalad,134–35
Raspberries
RaspberryCreamCheeseFrosting,213RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13Two-BerryCoulis,65
RawGreenJuice,54–55
Refrigeratoressentials,18
Riceflour,brown
QuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers,162–63
RiceFlour,White,recipefor,43
Ricewinevinegar
AsianSlaw,194–95PeanutDippingSauce,185
Ricottacheese
CheesecakeBites,211FreshCornCakes,198ManicottiwithVeggieSauce,180–81SpinachEggCups,74–75
Ricottasalata
inBibbLettucesalad,137
RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDip,103
RoastedRootVeggieswithRomescoSauce,200–201
RoastedTurkeyBreastwithChipotleSauce,174
Romainelettuce
ClassicCaesarSalad,136
RomescoSauce,201
RootVeggieswithRomescoSauce,200–201
Rosemary
CranberryRelish,177GrapefruitShallotVinaigrette,137ParmesanGremolata,127inPorkTenderloinmarinade,176RoastedGarlicWhiteBeanDip,103
SSaladdressings
about,130BlueCheeseDipas,104CilantroButtermilk,139SeealsoVinaigrettes
Salad(s),130–45
about,130BibbLettuce,withGrapefruitShallotVinaigrette,137Caesar,withGarlicCroutons,136CarrotQuinoaSalad,140–41ChoppedKaleSalad,134–35FrenchLentil,withRoastedTomatoVinaigrette,143Spinach,withBlueberryVinaigrette,132–33SummerCornandAvocadoSalad,138–39
SalmonBurgerswithQuickPickledCukes,148–49
Sandwichspreads,dipsas,97
Sauce(s)
AnchoChileSauce,168Barbecue,152BasicAïoli,113Chimichurri,175Chipotle,174CreamyTarragon,77CucumberTzatziki,109EggplantPureeas,190PeanutDippingSauce,185Romesco,201SimpleBlueberry,211Sneak-It-InVeggie,181SpicyAïoli,167
SpinachPesto,178Two-BerryCoulis,65
Sausage,Kielbasa
KaleandPotatoSoup,120–21
Scallions
AsianSlaw,194–95inCarrotQuinoaSaladdressing,140FreshCornCakes,198
Seeds.SeeNutsandseeds
Sesameoil
inCarrotQuinoaSaladdressing,140EdamameDip,105PeanutDippingSauce,185WalnutMisoButter,189
Shallots
inGrapefruitShallotVinaigrette,137HerbVinaigrette,144–45MushroomPâté,110–11
ShrimpFritters,166–67
SkirtSteakwithChimichurriSauce,175
Smoothie(s)
AMEnergyBooster,50–51CoconutAlmond,57icecubetraytipfor,27yPumpkinSpice,57StrawberryBanana,52–53
Soup(s),114–29
about,115AutumnSquashandPear,118–19BroccoliLeek,126CauliflowerFennel,127ChickenTortillaSoup,122–24GreenGazpacho,128–29KaleandPotato,120–21SpicyChickpea,125SpringPea,116–17
Sourcream
BlueCheeseDip,104
Soysauce
PeanutDippingSauce,185
Speltflour
Crêpes,66–67ZucchiniAppleMuffins,78
Spinach
IndianSpicedSpinach,197ManicottiwithVeggieSauce,180–81RawGreenJuice,54–55SaladwithBlueberryVinaigrette,132–33SpinachChickenEnchiladas,168–69SpinachEggCups,74–75SpinachPestoSaucewithRigatoni,178–79
Spreads.SeeFruitspreads;Nutbutters,recipesformaking
Spreads,savory
MushroomPâté,110–11
SpringPeaSoup,116–17
Squash,summer.SeeZucchini
Squash,winter
AutumnSquashandPearSoup,118–19QuinoaandButternutSquashBurgers,162–63
Strawberries
RoastedStrawberryIceCream,218–19StrawberryBananaSmoothies,52–53StrawberrySpread,Quick,92–93WaffleswithTwo-BerryCoulis,65
Sugar,darkbrown
BananaCoconutLoaf,79ChocolateCoffeeQuinoaCookies,216ZucchiniAppleMuffins,78
Sugar,lightbrown
inglaze,forChaiTeaCakes,214
Sugar,organiccane,about,23
SummerCornandAvocadoSalad,138–39
Sweeteners,about,22–23
Sweetpotatoes
ZestyBlackBeanBurgers,160–61
Swisschard
RevitalizingRawGreenJuice,54–55
TTahini
inCarrotQuinoaSaladdressing,140HummuswithArtichokes,112
Tarragon
HerbVinaigrette,144–45LemonTarragonChicken,170–71SpringPeaSoup,116–17TarragonSauce,Creamy,77
Tartlets,Lime,withCoconutCrusts,204–5
Thyme
Carrot-ParsnipPuree,192–93HerbVinaigrette,144–45MushroomPâté,110–11
TikkaMasala,Chicken,172–73
Tomatoes,canned
ChickenTortillaSoup,122–24fire-roasted,inAnchoChileSauce,168fire-roasted,inRomescoSauce,201fire-roasted,inVeggieSauce,181SpicyChickpeaSoup,125
Tomatoes,fresh
inChickenTikkaMasalasauce,173guacamole,SimplyGuac,100–101LentilSaladwithRoastedTomatoVinaigrette,143PestoSaucewithRigatoni,178–79PoachedEggswithFriedTomatoes,76–77TomatoandChipotleSalsa,102
Tools,kitchen,27
Topping(s)
CardamomPeachSpreadas,94–95GlazedPecans,223Two-BerryCoulis,65SeealsoSauce(s)
Tortillas.SeeCornTortillas
TurkeyBurgers,153–54
Two-BerryCoulis,65
TzatzikiSauce,109
VVanillabeans
RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13
Vegetables,186–201
about,187AsianSlaw,194–95Carrot-ParsnipPuree,Herbed,193CauliflowerMash,Creamy,198EggplantPuree,Baked,190–91FrenchGreenBeanswithWalnutMisoButter,188–89FreshCornCakes,198preparing,tipfor,24RoastedRootVeggies,200–201Spinach,IndianSpiced,197ZucchiniFries,Crispy,196Seealsospecificvegetables
Vinaigrettes
BlueberryVinaigrette,132–33Go-ToHerbVinaigrette,144–45GrapefruitShallot,137HerbVinaigrette,144–45RoastedTomatoVinaigrette,143SeealsoSaladdressings
Vinegars,about,22
WWalnutMisoButter,189
Watercress
SalmonBurgers,148–49
WatermelonCucumberAguaFresca,60–61
WhippedCream,Easy,217
WhiteCornmeal,recipefor,43
WhiteRiceFlour
RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13recipefor,43
Whitewholewheatflour
BananaCoconutLoaf,79ChiaPancakes,70–71LemonSquares,206–7recipefor,39ZucchiniAppleMuffins,78
WholeWheatFlour,recipefor,39
XXanthangum
RaspberrySwirlCupcakes,212–13
YYogurt,plain
insauceforChickenTikkaMasala,172–73SeealsoGreekyogurt
ZZucchini
GreenGazpacho,128–29VeggieSauce,181ZucchiniAppleMuffins,78ZucchiniFries,196
Copyright©2015byRebeccaFfrench
Photographs©JustinLanier
DesignbyLeAnnaWellerSmith
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeansincludinginformationstorageandretrievalsystemswithoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewer,whomayquotebriefpassages.
ISBN:978-1-581-57295-7
ISBN:978-1-581-57605-4(e-book)
PublishedbyTheCountrymanPress,P.O.Box748,Woodstock,VT05091
DistributedbyW.W.Norton&Company,Inc.,500FifthAvenue,NewYork,NY10110
TheUltimateBlenderCookbook