Cuisinart CB-18BKSS - Manual (Page 8)

8
RECIPE TIPS
Blender Tips:
The simple recipes that follow include some old Cuisinart favorites as
well as some creative combinations that are sure to please your friends
and family. Thanks to the superior Ice Crushing power of the SmartPower
Bar Basics™ 18-Speed Blender, you’ll also be able to make delicious
frozen drinks.
Chopping Nuts: Place 1 ⁄
2
cup shelled nuts in the blender jar and cover
blender. Set on Speed 6 and pulse until desired chop is achieved. Pulse
fewer times for coarsely chopped nuts. For best results process small
amounts,
1 ⁄
2
cup or less.
Bread, Cookie or Cracker Crumbs: Break or cut bread, cookies or
crackers into pieces
1 ⁄
2
-inch or less in size. For best bread results, use day-
old bread (drier bread works best). Place bread, cookie or cracker pieces in
blender jar. Set on Speed 12 and Pulse to chop, then blend
continuously until desired texture of crumbs is achieved. For best results
process 1 cup or less at a time.
Crushing Ice: Add up to 10 standard ice cubes to the blender jar. Cover.
Press the Ice Crush button, using short bursts, 10 times, or until cubes are
the consistency of snow. Turn blender off. Pulse fewer times if coarsely
chopped ice is desired.
Grating Fresh Citrus Zest: For best results, blender jar and cutting
assembly must be clean and dry. Remove zest from fruit in strips using
a vegetable peeler; use a sharp knife to remove the bitter white pith from
the underside of the zest. Process no more than 8 strips at a time (zest of
1 medium lemon). Cut strips in half. Add strips and 1 teaspoon sugar
or coarse salt (from recipe) to the blender jar. Cover blender jar. Set on
Speed 12; blend for 15 to 20 seconds. Turn blender off.
Baby Food: Combine 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, fruit or meat with 3-4
tablespoons liquid (water, milk, fruit juice, broth, or cooking liquid) in the
blender jar. Set on Speed 16. Blend for 15 to 20 seconds until a smooth
purée is reached. Add more liquid as necessary and process further until
desired texture is reached. For “junior” type foods, set on Speed 16 and
use the Pulse. Always consult with your pediatrician/family physician
concerning the best foods for your baby and when to introduce new
foods to his/her diet.
Grinding Hard Cheese: Cut cheese into 1 ⁄
2
-inch pieces; remove all hard
outer rind. Place cheese in blender jar. Set on Speed 12. Pulse to chop
cheese, 10-12 times, then blend until desired grind is reached. For best
results, grind no more than 3 ounces of cheese at a time.
Grinding Spices: For best results, blender jar and cutting assembly must
be clean and dry. Add
1 ⁄
4
- 1 ⁄
2
cup of spices/seeds/peppercorns to blender jar.
Set on Speed 14, Pulse to break up, then blend for 20 to 40 seconds. Turn
blender off.
Whipping Cream: If possible, chill blender jar and cutting assembly in
refrigerator for 15 minutes. Add 1 cup heavy or whipping cream to blender
jar. Cover jar. Set on Speed 2 and Pulse (1- second pulses) 20 to 30 times
until cream is thickened. (Do not overblend – bits of butter will begin to
form.) If desired add 1 tablespoon sugar and 1- 2 teaspoons of vanilla or
other flavoring. Consistency with be that of a thickened but not fluffy
whipped cream and is most appropriate for topping desserts or coffee
drinks.
When using the blender to purée hot mixtures such as creamed soups and
baby foods, strain the solids from the liquid, reserving the cooking liquid.
Then place the cooked solids in the blender jar along with
1 ⁄
2
-1 cup of the
reserved cooking liquid. Use the Pulse button to chop, then blend until
desired consistency/purée is reached.
Allow hot foods to cool slightly before blending to prevent steam buildup
which may cause the lid to lift up from the blender jar.
Keep your blender out on the counter within easy reach and you
will be surprised how often you will use it.
Keep ice cubes made of juices, yogurt, milk or fruit purées on hand to
substitute for plain ice to make smoothies and frosty beverages without
diluting the drink.
For quick cleaning, add 1 cup of warm water and a drop of liquid dish soap
to the blender jar. Cover and blend on Speed 10 for 30 to 40 seconds.
Discard the soapy water and rinse blender thoroughly before the next use.