[Creamy Blueberry Protein Pudding is vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut-free, yeast-free, and low glycemic. Suitable for Stage 2 and beyond on an anti-candida diet.]
So you know how guys love their “tech toys,” right? Cars, computers, stereos. . . basically anything that’s made from non-organic materials qualifies. (Well, except appliances. Don’t ask them to go near the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer. . . ).*
The HH is an avowed audiophile, which means he basically spends every extra penny he has** on stereo equipment, stereo accessories, stereo components, stereo “cartridges,” stereo wires, or albums (first choice) and CDs (distant second choice). On a computer, using a 3-D modeling software, he draws blueprints of stereos for a living. Every time I walk into the listening room (aka our living room) or the TV room, I find scraps of paper with drawings of stereo speakers on them. To me, they all look alike, but obviously to him, they are as unique and individual as chromosomes.
The other day, I wandered into the listening room and spied him sketching yet another set of speakers on a scrap of paper.
“Don’t you ever get tired of drawing speakers?” I asked.
Without skipping a beat, he grinned and countered, “Don’t you ever get tired of making recipes?”
Touché.
And making recipes is even more fun when I have my own culinary tech-toys to enhance the process! Thanks to the generous folks at Blendtec, this week I was able to play with my food in myriad ways in their high-powered blender.
Isn’t it purty?
This is a super high-powered blender, perfect for all those applications where you wish you had a high-speed blender to make über smooth drinks, smoothies, soups, sauces, ice creams or puddings. It’s a hefty machine with a sturdy base, heavy motor and wide, smooth-sided jar (so easy to scrape out the contents–I was in heaven!).
In the materials that came with the machine, the description notes the “uniquely blunt safety blade” that’s “completely safe to use and clean, plus 80% thicker and 10 times stronger than competitors’ blades.” I have to admit that, as I first examined it, it did, indeed, seem blunt. I thought, “how the heck is this blade going to produce smooth results?” I needn’t have wondered. When I first whipped up the Creamy Blueberry Protein Smoothie (recipe below), it blended quickly and evenly, and came out perfectly silky smooth. I don’t know how it works, but it does.
Other features that I loved about this machine were how quiet it is (you can actually hold a conversation–and hear each other–while it’s running) and the “smart touch interface,” a flat interface that can be cleaned really easily with the wipe of a damp cloth. It won’t encourage bacteria or fungus to grow (clearly an important feature to anyone dealing with candida!). 😉
My morning smoothie was ready in no time. And I was delighted to be able to scrape out every last bit easily. But my earlier foray, this blueberry pudding, was a bit more adventurous recipe.
This pudding resembles an extra-thick smoothie, bursting with antioxidant-rich blueberries and the ultra creaminess of avocado. I’ve added some of my favorite grain-free protein powder as well to boost the nutrient value. Because it’s so high in protein and low glycemic to boot, you could easily spoon up a bowlful for breakfast as well as dessert. And really, you can’t beat that incredible hue!
There’s nothing like getting a new toy to brighten your day. I’m definitely enjoying playing with the Blendtec. Next up, I look forward to getting one of the twister jar attachments so I can try out some of my beloved nut butters in it, too!
Are you a fan of high-speed blenders? Why (or why not)?
* I’m joking, of course. Enlightened males in 2014 are more than willing to do their fair share in the kitchen. (Right, guys?)
** Or, more accurately, “even extra pennies that he doesn’t have.”
Creamy Blueberry Protein Pudding
Apart from their vibrant color and winning flavor, blueberries are consistently at the top of the list when it comes to antioxidant content to help prevent all kinds of chronic conditions and cancers. They’re also one of the few low glycemic fruits that can be added fairly early on to an anti-candida diet. If you’d rather try this recipe with a different fruit, feel free to sub a another kind of berry or even chopped pineapple or mango in the pudding.
1/3-1/2 cup (80-120 ml) unsweetened alternative milk of choice (I used vanilla almond)
10-15 drops pure plain or vanilla pure stevia liquid
juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 Tbsp/15 ml)
1 small just-ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
1-1/2 Tbsp (22.5 ml) whole chia seeds
1 heaping Tbsp (20 ml) grain-free protein powder
pinch fine sea salt, optional
1-1/4 cups (300 ml) blueberries, fresh or frozen (use less milk if fresh, more if frozen)
Place all ingredients in the order given (ie, milk on the bottom, berries on top) in the Blendtec jar. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides once or twice if necessary. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
Suitable for: ACD All stages Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Maintenance and beyond, sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut free, yeast-free, vegan, low glycemic.
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[Disclosure: this Blendtec blender was provided to me free of charge, but the opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. If you buy using these links, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission of the sale.]
Hi! I'm Ricki, cookbook author, professional recipe developer, holistic nutritionist and anti-candida crusader. Let me show you how easy it is to eat plant-based, sugar-free, gluten free food that tastes great! 
This looks so yummmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I have to try it this weekend after my organic grocery shopping lol
Thanks for sharing
Glad you like it, Azedine! 🙂
oh ricki I love the humour in your posts! strangely enough I avoid these thick cold puddings and then make thick smoothies full of chia seeds and oats that need to be eaten with a spoon! So I probably would like this more than I expect – esp with berries and avocado! I have recently bought a high speed blender and love it but not sure it always loves me! I intend to write on it at some length some time – it is exciting to make my own nut butters but it still feels like a steep learning curve.
Aw, thanks, Johanna! 🙂 And I think you’re right–your thick smoothies do sound like this kind of pudding (which could easily become a smoothie with added milk). Congrats on the high speed blender! I bet you will love it. Nut butters are one of my FAVORITE things to make! 🙂
I can’t imagine life without my high-powered blender! I also own a Blendtec but gave it to my Mum when I got my new one (a Froothie). The Twister jar sounds especially fabulous – I think I’d make coconut butter with it first!
Ah, coconut butter–forgot! Of course! 😉 Never heard of a Froothie, but now I’m intrigued. Do you mention it on your site? Is there a photo–?? 😀
Ricki – don’t have chia seeds in the house; what do you think of substituting flax meal for them?
You could try it, Carolyn. I find flax has a slightly more gummy texture, but with this small amount, it would probably be okay! 🙂
Just made it, with the flax meal, and using raspberries (because we had them). Unanimous verdict: delicious!
Ooh, I bet this would be great with raspberries! Thanks for coming back to let me know, Carolyn. That will help other readers, too, who want to try with flax and/or other berries. 🙂