Ricki’s Raves (1): Healthy Food Made More Convenient

It’s holiday season! Wahoo!

That said, I know that you’re probably coming across endless posts about holiday gift-giving. Well, I’m no different from anyone else in that department (I love giving–and receiving–gifts!). But I wanted to so something a little different on the site this holiday season.

So. . . I’ve decided to start a little series called Ricki’s Raves, in which I share some of my favorite items (both food and non-food alike) that I truly love, and use, all the time. Basically, you just need to try these things! They also make great gifts, of course (or maybe even gifts for yourself).

The series will span the next three weeks and cover “Healthy Food Made Easy” (appliances and tools); “Healthy Food Made Sweeter” (sweeteners and chocolate–because, CHOCOLATE!); and “Healthy Food Made More Convenient” (my equivalent of convenience foods–except healthy).

So let’s get to it–up today: some of my favorite machines!

High Powered Blender

What it is

Although it’s not a true necessity if you’re cooking healthy food, a high-powered blender certainly does make life easier when you’re prepping smoothies, nut butters, or other blended items that you want to be ultra silky-smooth. It’s sturdier, bigger, and has a stronger motor than most blenders.

Why you want one

My Vitamix was the first appliance I bought that was a real “investment” (read: whoah, expensive!).

After going through nutrition school and learning about greens-based smoothies, I tried a few with the regular Osterizer blender I had at the time, and they were, to put it mildly, vomitorious. What you don’t want in a smoothie is little grainy bits of kale that stick to your tongue and get wedged between your teeth. Um, nope.

With a high-powered blender, your smoothies will be. . . smooth. They can turn raw veggies, nuts and seeds, fruits and cooked grains into silky smooth drinks, soups, sauces and more. They’re also great for instant “sorbet” made from frozen fruit.

What I recommend

A few years after I got my Vitamix, I was gifted with a Blendtec as well, so I was able to conduct a few comparison experiments to determine my favorite. And guess what? Each one is my favorite, but for different uses.

I like the Vitamix better for ultra-smooth smoothies (the Blendtec gets them incredibly smooth, too, but just a fraction less so).

I prefer the Blendtec for nut butters because of the larger jug and easier cleaning (the walls of the Blendtec are smooth, so you can scrape them clean much more easily than the ridged edges of the Vitamix–I always feel as if I’m leaving precious bits of my food in the Vitamix, no matter how much I scrape).

Cost

The Vitamix 5300 retails on amazon for $439.95 in the US and $1029.64 (say what?!) in Canada.

The Blendtec Wildside retails on amazon for $429.65 in the US and $685.31 in Canada.

Recipes I love using a high-powered blender

Somer’s Extra Sharp Kick-Ace Holiday Cheeze Ball

Chestnut Spice Latte

Creamy Potato-Leek Soup

Food Processor

 

What it is

Just in case there’s someone out there who doesn’t know, a food processor is a handy-dandy machine that can blend, chop, and grate (if you have the right attachment) just about anything. I adore my food processor and use it every. single. day. Not only that–I use it for my DOGS every. single. day.

My favorite uses are for nut butters, veggie pates, mixing up cake and cookie batters (I’m lazy that way–who needs bowls?), and to make my no-ice-cream-maker-required ice creams (which we eat all year round).

I also use it daily to make my dogs’ veggie gruel, a mix of sweet potato, apple, and one or two other veggies and fruits (usually cauliflower or kale).

Why you want one

A good food processor will make your life easier, speed up prep and clean-up time, and basically just make life more pleasant.

What I recommend

For most of my adult life, I’ve been using Cuisinart. You’ll see my old machine (about 15 years old, now) on the left, and the new one on the right.

There’s really nothing I’ve ever encountered that I like as much as the Cuisinart. Over the years, I’ve tested almost a dozen different brands at cooking schools where I taught across the city, and really, nothing compares. Cuisinart offers a (relatively) clean design, strong motor, and reliable blending.

That said, I prefer the older (now no longer available) models to the newer ones. About a year ago, when I knew I would soon need a new machine, I began to use the old one for dog food prep. Now that we have a new “people” machine, I’m sorry I didn’t save the old one for us and use the new one for the dog gruel.

In my opinion, the new models, as pretty as they are, pale in comparison with the older models that were built more simply. In this case, the basic construction works better (bits of food don’t get stuck under the blades) and cleanup is MUCH easier (no rubber band along the inside of the top cover where food can get stuck, which means no need for a special brush to clear it out before putting it in the dishwasher. That’s way too much “work” for my liking). That said, I’d still go with Cuisinart over anything else.

Cost

The Cuisinart 14-cup (the one I have–we go big or go home) costs $179.99 in the US and $337.54 in Canada. 

Recipes I love using a food processor

Cranberry Ice Cream (great for cranberry sauce leftovers)

Butterscotch Walco-Nut Butter with Cacao Nibs

Super Quick & Easy Raw Porridge Bowl

Slow Cooker

What it is

“Slow cooker” encompasses any of a number of machines that allow you to add ingredients (the recipe must contain moisture for cooking) and then, basically, walk away for 6 to 8 hours. They usually consist of a heating element (the machine base), a pot and a lid. Sometimes also called a crockpot.

Why you want one

I’m late to this party, but once I started using the Breville Risotto Plus (a slow cooker and risotto maker with additional steamer capacity), I have to say, I’m hooked.

While it sounds like an oxymoron, a slow cooker actually saves you time in the kitchen. You prep and throw everything into the pot–then get to go about your business for the rest of the day (or sleep at night while it performs its magic). So, even though the actual cooking time takes longer, you end up with more time to yourself while it does the work.

What I recommend

The only machine I’ve tried is the Breville, so I can’t compare to more conventional slow cookers. That said, I loved this machine. The beauty of the Breville is that you can do everything right in one pot; conventional slow cookers require you to sauté any onions and garlic or other veggies separately, then add to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. With its sauté function, the Breville Risotto Plus lets you do it all in the same container. I loved that there was only one clean-up once I was done (I’m lazy that way–see “Food Processor,” above).

I tried the slow cooker for soup, baked beans and scalloped potatoes, and they all came out great. I also used the risotto function for my carrot risotto, and was amazed that the rice came out perfectly! All in all, a terrific machine.

One note: the pot is lined with teflon, which I know might be an issue for some of you. I think if they replaced it with a ceramic-lined pot instead, they’d have the absolute ideal slow cooker.

Cost

The Breville Risotto Plus Sauteing Slow Rice Cooker and Steamer retails for $129.90 in the US and $139.95 in Canada. 

Recipes I love using a slow cooker

 

Creamy Carrot Risotto (recipe available in The Sweet Life club).

Homemade Baked Beans (recipe coming up soon!)

I also plan to try ketchup, applesauce and chili!

I hope you enjoyed this first installment of Ricki’s Raves. Stay tuned for some food posts coming up.

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Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by some or all of the companies featured here. As always, my opinions are my own. I never (ever) recommend items or products on the site that I don’t already use and love. If some links are affliate links and you choose to purchase using those links, at no cost to you, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.