Things to do with my Vitamix in the winter

December 8, 2013 3:33 PM

I loved making green smoothies with my new Vitamix over the summer. Now that it's cold, my it has been sitting idle. What can I make in the winter?

I am open to hot drink suggestions, of course, but what I would really like is a hot, drinkable option that will still let me get my veggies in. I would love to find a great vegetable soup that I could make on the weekend and reheat all week to sip in my travel mug during my commute. As I am not the greatest cook in the world, I wonder if I can actually do the whole thing in the blender. Ideas?

posted by JoannaC to Food & Drink (9 answers total)

The Vitamix Whole Food Cookbook has several good soup recipes that can be made completely in the blender. This google search has two links to the pdf version that appear to be legal. The print version is $50.
posted by bradf at 3:59 PM on December 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

Toss cut up vegetables, whatever combination appeals to you, in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast at 450F until nice and brown. Add to the blender with heated vegetable or chicken stock (high quality store-bought is fine, I use Kitchen Basics) and a tablespoon of miso. Season further to taste (more salt, thyme, smoked paprika, grated parmesan, etc). Yum!
posted by STFUDonnie at 4:04 PM on December 8, 2013 [5 favorites]

A really basic and simple winter squash soup:

Take one peeled and chopped squash. Dump into a pot with a couple cloves of garlic and enough water to cover. Bring to boil and then simmer until squash is soft. Add a little chopped sage if you want. Throw in the blender. Add more water if you want to thin it out. Done.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:33 PM on December 8, 2013

Not winter-specific, but I love making barbecue sauces and hummus (peel the chickpeas!) in mine. Both come out ultra-smooth. Did both this weekend, actually.

I haven't tried it, but I bet it would make a nice frothy eggnog too.
posted by supercres at 4:55 PM on December 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

Potato leek soup? Very comforting in winter.
posted by emkelley at 5:49 PM on December 8, 2013

I can't vouch for any of these personally, but in case they're useful:

44 soup recipes on the Vitamix site
A Pinterest board on Vitamix soups
A dozen or so soup recipes, plus others
More Vitamix soups
Spinach-Avocado Silk Soup
posted by Lexica at 7:06 PM on December 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

We love bitchin sauce.
posted by morganannie at 6:21 AM on December 9, 2013

Check out this post from a while ago. Or search my history for the word blender.
posted by dobbs at 6:30 AM on December 9, 2013

Carrot Ginger Tofu soup is one of the first things I ever made with my vitamix, right out of the little book that came with it. Still make it. It is very good and easy as well.
posted by BoscosMom at 5:09 PM on December 9, 2013