Pancakes, Sauces & Beyond: How to Get More Out of Your Blender ~

If you’re in the habit of only using your blender in the morning to make smoothies or protein shakes, you’re certainly missing out on all the delicious pancakes, sauces and tons of other dishes that your blender is more than capable of whipping up. Today, we look at five amazingly simple recipes that you can prepare in your trusty blender, and don’t worry — there isn’t a smoothie in sight! Read on to find out more!

1. Restaurant Quality Hollandaise

Hollandaise Sauce is often given a bad reputation due to the complexity involved in making it. Still, with the help of your trusty blender, you’ll be making the perfect hollandaise sauce every single time. Follow this simple recipe for a fool-proof hollandaise that is the perfect topping to poached eggs, smoked salmon or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients:

*Ten tablespoons unsalted butter

*Three egg yolks1 tablespoon lemon juice

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Method:

1) Melt your butter slowly in a small pot. Try not to let it boil—you want the moisture in the butter to remain there and not steam away.

2) Add the egg yolks, lemon juice, salt and cayenne (if using) into your blender. Blend the egg yolk mixture at a medium to medium-high speed until it lightens in colour, about 20-30 seconds.

3) The friction generated by the blender blades will heat the yolks a bit. The blending action will also introduce a little air into them, making your hollandaise a bit lighter.

4) Once the yolks have lightened in color, turn the blender down to its lowest setting and drizzle in the hot melted butter slowly while the blender is going.

5) Continue to blend for another couple of seconds after the butter is all incorporated. Turn off the blender and taste the sauce. Adjust if necessary.

6) If you want a thinner consistency, add a little warm water. Pulse briefly to incorporate the ingredients one more time. Store until needed in a warm spot and within an hour or so.

2. Healthy Pancakes in a Jiffy!

These delicious blender pancakes come together in less than a minute and are the perfect breakfast or brunch treat. Plus, the combination of banana and oatmeal will keep you feeling full for hours. Try serving them with fresh fruit, maple syrup and chopped nuts!

Ingredients:

*Two very ripe bananas

*Two eggs

*1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

*One teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 ½ cups rolled oats

*Two teaspoons baking powder

*½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

*¼ teaspoon salt

*Olive oil, for cooking

Method:

1) Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let the batter sit in your blender while you heat your pan up.

2) Lightly coat a griddle with oil and once the pan is hot, add 1/3 cup of the batter to the griddle for each pancake and cook for 2-4 minutes until the pancakes slightly puff up and you see a few bubbles along the edges.

3) Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on the underside. Repeat with the remaining batter, and then serve pancakes with an array of your favourite toppings.

3. Blender Pesto

All you need for the perfect pesto is a handful of ingredients and a blender! Pesto is perfect stirred into pasta, spread on bread or even used as a dip with crackers and veggie sticks.

Ingredients:

*2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

*¼ cup pine nuts

*1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

*Juice of one lemon

*⅛ tsp salt

*Two garlic cloves

*½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Method:

1) Dump the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon, garlic and salt into a blender.

2) Pulse the blender while slowly pouring in the olive oil.

3) Blend for another 30 seconds or so, until everything is thoroughly combined.

4. Homemade Peanut Butter

Healthy, additive-free peanut butter is so easy to make at home and only requires 2-3 ingredients. You could even choose to use different nuts to create the perfect almond, hazelnut or walnut butter.

Ingredients:

*2 cups raw peanuts

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 to 2 tablespoons peanut oil

*1 to 2 tablespoons honey or another sweetener (optional, for sweeter peanut butter)

Method:

1) Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 175°C. Place the peanuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until lightly golden-brown and glossy with oil, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool.

2) Pulse the peanuts in your blender until ground and then process for 1 minute.

3) Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the jug. At this point, the peanut butter will look gritty and dry, almost like couscous.

4) Process for a further 1 minute. At this point, the butter will start clumping together. It’s not quite peanut butter, but it’s getting there!

5) You guessed it — process for yet another 1 minute. At this point, the butter will be glossy and soft, like very thick peanut butter. Add the salt, oil, sweetener, and any other extras.

6) Continue processing the butter until it becomes completely smooth. Homemade peanut butter will still be a little more gritty than store-bought peanut butter but should be spreadable at this point.

7) Transfer the peanut butter to a storage container, cover and refrigerate. The peanut butter can be used immediately.

5. Blender Brownies

Dark and fudgy, these blender brownies are the perfect treat if you’re craving chocolate! As an added bonus, they are made with only unrefined sweeteners, making them a little healthier than their sugar-laden counterparts.

Ingredients:

*1 cup mashed banana

*Two eggs

*2 tsp. vanilla extract

*2 tbsp. coconut milk

*1/2 cup chocolate chips

*1 cup cocoa powder

*1/4 cup raw honey

*1/2 tsp. baking soda

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 180C and grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.

2) Place everything in the blender, except baking soda and puree until smooth.