Healthy Recipes Made Easy with The Vitamix Cookbook

If you have a Vitamix or are planning to get one for the holidays, do not pass “GO” until you have yourself a copy of THE VITAMIX COOKBOOK: 250 Delicious Whole Food Recipes to Make in Your Blender. This incredibly well done healthy cookbook, published by Jodi Berg, President and CEO of Vitamix, was recently sent my way. It is loaded with healthy recipes made easy,  and it truly does not disappoint.

We make juices and smoothies in our Vitamix blender almost every single day. For years it was a great way to hide healthy organic veggies in my “refuses to eat anything green” son’s diet. When my other son had a severely limited diet due to food allergies, the ability to be creative with flavors (and get the health benefits of organic fruits and veggies) was a tremendous help for this stressed out parent. Now my kids make their own healthy smoothies before or after school.

That is where our Vitamix use stopped. As someone who is not exactly a natural born cook, I had suspected that I could fool family and friends alike if only I would use my Vitamix for more than smoothies. Yet I was not sure where to begin.

When I heard about this new book I jumped on the chance to take a look at it for myself. Most of its healthy recipes take less than thirty minutes to prepare. The book includes ideas for breakfast and brunch (including smoothies), soups, side dishes, entrees, sauces, dressings, drinks, and desserts. There are several gluten-free recipes available in the book as well. You’ll also find several tips for eating a nutritious whole foods diet.

I already knew that my Vitamix could chop, cream, blend, heat, grind, and churn – but not until now did I really understand just how many healthy recipes can be made in one (BPA free) household appliance.

If you are looking for healthy holiday recipes to serve to guests, there are tons to choose from. The Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip, Apple Ginger Crisp, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Tortilla Soup, and Granola Bars are all on my list.

Want a healthy recipe from the book to start off your holidays? How about this one for Chicken Potato Soup! It can be made gluten-free and completely organic. And if any of your guests are vegetarian, you can even set a portion aside before adding the chicken. If you are looking for a post-holiday recipe for your family, this one can be prepared using leftovers too!

Chicken Potato Soup Recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Processing time: 5 – 6.5 minutes
Yield: 5 1/4 cups (1.2 liters)

Ingredients:
1 cup low sodium or no salt added chicken or vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 small onion, peeled (or 1/4 cup onion chopped)
3 medium russet potatoes, baked or boiled, with skin
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon spinach, cooked or frozen (I prefer cooked.)
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (5 oz), cooked and cut up
Salt (optional)

Directions:
– Place the broth, milk, onion, 2 of the potatoes, and rosemary into the Vitamix container and secure the lid. Select Variable 1 on the Vitamix. Turn the machine on and slowly increase the speed to Variable 10, then to High. Blend for 5 to 6 minutes, until heavy steam escapes from the vented lid.

– Reduce the speed to Variable 3 and remove the lid plug. Through the lid plug opening, add the spinach and remaining potato, and blend until the potato is chopped – about 10 seconds.

– Drop in the chicken and blend for an additional 5 seconds. Season with salt, if desired.

– Serve hot.

Does it get any easier than that?? Here’s to those who aren’t natural born cooks making a bit impression with healthy recipes. Bon Appetit!

 

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Express permission was given to publish a recipe from THE VITAMIX COOKBOOK. Photo credit goes to THE VITAMIX COOKBOOK.

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