There comes a time in every food blogger’s life when she starts to experience serious blender envy. It started for me a few months ago, when I was cursing my cheap blender for its utter uselessness. I decided it was about time for a fancy blender of my own. So I contacted Blendtec (makers of the finest fancy blenders) and they kindly offered to help this poor food blogger out.
Not only did Blendtec send me the most gorgeous of all fancy blenders—the designer series—but they also agreed to let me give one away to one lucky reader! I wish I could pull an Oprah and give everyone a blender, but this is the best I can do.
This new blender works like a charm, guys. So far I’ve used it to make this ultra-creamy vegan soup (more on the soup in a minute), as well as coconut butter, hazelnut butter, cashew milk and avocado salsa verde.
I made the coconut butter first and the blender blew me away. What took me 15 minutes with my hand-me-down KitchenAid food processor took less than 45 seconds with this new blender, and I didn’t have to stop and scrape down the sides once. I just might retire the old food processor in favor of my new blender. I get giddy thinking about all the homemade pesto, hummus and nut butter we will make together.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of these new blenders is that they don’t have any knobs to catch drips (I’m messy) or look cluttered on the counter (I hate clutter). Thanks to a digital touch interface, the blender looks like a beautifully ambiguous machine when it’s not in use. It’s so easy to wipe clean with a damp rag. It’s also made in the USA and built to last, and the jars are made with BPA-free plastic.
My dear future blender winner, I should warn you that you may have trouble deciding which color to get. Champagne like mine, black, cream red? I deliberated on the choice for a while. I wanted a color that would coordinate well not only with my current tiny, dishwasher-less, crooked-cabineted kitchen, but also with my spacious and bright, white-subway-tile-backsplash-with-a-giant-dishwasher dream kitchen. Champagne seemed like a nice, neutral color and I think it will look dreamy in my future kitchen.
But maybe you already have a fancy blender. Maybe you want to hear about some soup you can make with it! I came across this one when I was flipping through Martha Stewart Living’s latest cookbook, Meatless. The cookbook is full of creative, easy vegetarian dishes that are right up my alley. I couldn’t decide what to cook first, but the title of this spicy, hearty soup captured my attention with the words “dried cherries” in the title. I adore tart dried cherries and the idea of incorporating them in a savory soup intrigued me. At first bite, I thought it was a bit of a funny combination, but after the flavors had a chance to meld, I really loved the addition.
Out of curiosity (read: I can’t stop playing with my new blender), I decided to try puréeing a bowl of soup after making it according to the cookbook’s directions. Though it produced a lusciously creamy bisque, my taste tester and I agreed that it was better when it retained some of the distinct textures and flavors of the ingredients. Bottom line: strain out some of the vegetables before pouring the rest in your blender as stated in the recipe below. It’s worth the extra trouble and the soup comes together quickly regardless.
PrintCurried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Cilantro
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Indian
Spicy vegan soup with bold Indian flavors, including curry powder and coconut milk. Fresh cilantro and tart cherries round out this hearty soup. This soup’s flavor depends on your selected curry powder, so choose one you love! Serve with a side of whole wheat naan, if you’d like.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 piece (about 2 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped (¼ cup)
- 2 large carrots, peeled and finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk (reduced fat or regular), divided
- 5 cups water
- 1 cup dried red lentils, picked over and rinsed
- ⅓ cup coarsely chopped tart dried cherries or cranberries
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro stems, plus 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped ginger, garlic, shallot and carrots. Sprinkle a dash of the salt over the vegetables and cook until softened, stirring often, about 7 minutes.
- Add curry powder and cook, stirring continuously, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the rest of the salt, ½ cup of the coconut milk, the water and lentils, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils and carrots are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Pass 2 cups of soup through a fine sieve into a bowl to separate the solids from the liquids. Reserve the solids for later and return the strained liquid to the pot of soup.
- Let the soup cool slightly, then puree the soup in a blender until smooth. You may need to do this in batches as you do not want to fill the blender jar more than halfway. If necessary, reheat soup after blending, then stir in the reserved solids.
- Reserve some cherries for garnish and stir the remaining into the soup, along with the cilantro stems. Ladle soup into 4 bowls and swirl in remaining ¼ cup coconut milk (1 tablespoon coconut milk per bowl). Garnish with cherries and cilantro leaves. This soup is great with a side of lightly toasted whole wheat naan.
Notes
- Recipe lightly adapted from Meatless: More Than 200 of the Very Best Vegetarian Recipes from Martha Stewart Living.
- On using a Blendtec blender for this recipe: my wildside jar was large enough to accommodate all of the soup that I needed to blend. I used the soup preset, which warmed up the soup as it blended it. So convenient!
- The recipe suggested to serve the soup immediately, but I preferred the next day’s reheated leftovers.
▸ Nutrition Information
UPDATE 2/14: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Heather for winning the Blendtec blender!
Now then, about that giveaway! One lucky winner will receive each of the following:
- One Blendtec Designer Series Blender with Wildside Jar
- One Twister Jar with spatula (shown above left, $119 value): great for nut butters, hard-to-blend mixtures and small batches.
You have three chances to enter:
- For one entry, leave a comment on this post to tell me what you would make with this blender.
- For one entry, follow cookieandkate via ANY of the following options and leave one comment to let me know: facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, google plus, RSS or receive blog posts by email. (If you already follow cookieandkate via any of those listed, that counts! Just leave one comment to tell me, and thank you for following. Please note that this option only counts as ONE entry even if you follow on multiple sites.)
- For one entry, subscribe to Blendtec’s weekly blog email newsletter and leave a comment to let me know.
Note that you must leave a separate comment for each potential entry. You will find the comment form at the bottom of this post.
The fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only from Tuesday, February 5, 2013 until Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 11:59 pm CST. One winner will be selected using random.org and contacted via email. Winner will have 72 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. Entrants must submit a valid email address in order to be eligible to win. Entry email addresses will not be shared with any third parties. Maximum 3 entries per person.
Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by Blendtec. Blendtec sent me a blender to review and keep. Opinions expressed are my own, always. Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post and I’d be much obliged if you used them. Thank you.
Kate
I like you on Facebook! :)
Kate
I subscribed to the Blendtec blog!
Terri Swanson
I have recently become a raw addict and am exploring and indulging in delicious and beautiful ways to improve my diet and lifestyle. Accordingly, my food processor is in constant use. As you pointed out in the article, a nut butter that takes 10-15 minutes in a food processor would be beautifully made in seconds with the Blendtec! Just thinking about all the butters and soups and foods…oh, my! I can’t choose! So the first thing I’d make with a new Blendtec would be this yummy looking soup.
Kim Catapano
I would make cashew butter, something that I’ve been dying to make but lack the food processor & blender to make it in. I would love to make other nut butters as well and would go to town in making fruit & vegetable purees for sauces, soups and so much more.
Jenny
I follow you on Reader!
Jenny
I would make smoothies (like all the time-my current blender is not doing too well), but also this soup (or another soup) would be a new experiment for me, too!
Kim Catapano
I receive Cookie and Kate blog posts through email.
Kim Catapano
I receive Blendtec’s weekly blog email newsletter.
Holz
Besides spinach blueberry smoothies, this delicious looking soup on this blogpost, strawberries and cashew cream, and almond flour, if I won this blendtec, I would make pesto.
Kellie Russell
If I were fortunate enough to win this blender, my fist culinary adventure would be nut butter; especially Almond Butter. :)
karen
I would make a creamy winter squash soup!
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
Lara
I have been on a SERIOUS soup kick as of late. I would make probably a squash and sweet potato soup, followed very closely by hummus.
Lara
Followed on the Twitterz.
Kellie Russell
Hi, I subscribed to the Official Blendtec Blog… it would be awesome to win the blender.
Kellie Russell
I left a comment on your FB page “If I were fortunate enough to win this blender, my fist culinary adventure would be nut butter; especially Almond Butter. :)” Okay, I think I covered all 3 bases. By the way, I really enjoy your blog :)
Carrie
I’ve worn out my blender making green smoothies, so that has to be the first thing I’d make with a new blendtec.
Carrie
I follow Cookie and Kate on Facebook :)
Carrie
I already subscribed to the blendtec weekly blog email :)
Jenni
I would love to grind my own flour with the Blendtec!
Jenni
I am following you on Facebook.
Jenni
I already subscribe to Blendtec’s newsletter.
Misha Hann
I would make organic, natural baby food for my little one due in a few weeks! And, of course, natural salad dressings and low-sodium soups for my family.
Misha Hann
I also subscribe to BlendTec’s weekly blog emails!
Robin O
I have heard such great things about Blendtec!
I would make pumpkin soups and protein smoothies and all kinds of other goodies!!
Shannon
This soup recipe is a keeper! I’d make chicken enchilada soup!
Robin O
I subscribe to Blendtec’s weekly blog email newsletter!
Thank you!!
Rebecca @ Runner wit
I would make the creamiest nut butters with it!
Robin O
Pinterest.com/robinosully
I follow you on Pinterest!
Nancy Ostergar
I would make this yummy looking soup.
What a sweet deal! I found your blog on Tastespotting.
Cheers…
Katie
I would make smoothies for my big kids and I, and baby food for the baby!
Katie
Following on facebook
katherine d
i would make vegan green monster smoothies!
katherinedibello (at) gmail (Dot) com
katherine d
follow you on fb
katherinedibello (at) gmail (Dot) com
katherine d
subscribe to blendtec’s email
katherinedibello (at) gmail (Dot) com
charj
I subscribed to Blendtec’s blog email newsletter.
Megan
I would start by making homemade baby food!
Megan
I liked your page on FB.
Megan
I subscribe to the Blendtec Blog.
Heather Pfeiff
I follow you on pintrest and I receive BlendTec’s weekly blog!
The first thing that I would make with a BlendTec blender would be baby food for my son!
Erin
I was just talking to a guy friend about Blendtec!
Meredith
Glad I found you through Blendtec’s Pinterest! I’d love to win one, for making green smoothies!
Meredith
Following you now on Pinterest!
Meredith
Subscribed to Blendtec’s newsletter!
Heather Millar
I follow you on pinterest!
Heather Millar
I would make frozen banana “ice cream”…it overheats my little food processor.
Ms. Morgan Leigh
I would love to make smoothies in a blender!
Ms. Morgan Leigh
I also subscribe to your blog using Google Reader.
Heather Millar
I subscribed to Blendtec’s weekly newsletter.
Alicia
The better question is what wouldn’t I make? Nut butters, smoothies, soups… Oh how I could go on. I’m a sucker for a good blender, and cool technology.
Donna Ferguson
I would make smoothies with the Blendtec. I like to always include a banana, spinach, and carrots, but after that I just start adding what ever is in the frig – usually an orange, blueberries, strawberries, and ground flaxseed. Sometimes I throw in a little cucumber and a roma tomato, too. They taste sooo good! Love, love, love Blendtec. They make a great product and are made in the USA! Can’t beat that!
Alicia
Follow via Twitter and email. (As well as the number one link in my food blogs tab.)
Donna Ferguson
I follow Cookie and Kate on Facebook!
Alicia
Also subscribed to Blendtec. (Love their color coded recipes)
Donna Ferguson
I already subscribe to Blendtec’s blog email newsletter. They send so many good recipes my way!
Bethany
I subscribe to your blog through blogger, and enjoy seeing new recipe ideas and great photos of the food you make!
~ Betsy
Since it’s still winter I would make blended soups. And green smoothies, of course.
Heather H.
The first two things I would make are some homemade peanut butter then a peanut butter smoothie!
Heather H.
I already follow on Facebook.
Heather H.
I already get Blendtec’s weekly newsletter email.
Jenna Madsen
I subscribe to weekly Blendtec emails. LOVE the Blendtec. I would made soups and nut butter with it!i love the tomatoe basil soup recipe and Wisconsin cauliflower soup in the Blendtec !
Vanessa
I follow you on Instagram and receive posts via email.
Vanessa
I would make almond butter, lots of soups including carrot and sweet potato with ginger and smoothies!
Katrina Homerick
I receive your blog posts by email. Love them!
Katrina Homerick
I would make savory soups, smoothies, homemade baby food and would make nut butters for the first time!
Carolina Contreras
I started to follow you on you on Pinterest and subscribed to Blendtec’s weekly blog.
Brooke
I’d make a million things(nut and seed butters, milks, batters, soups,etc.). :)
Carolina Contreras
I would use it to make peanut butter and healthy dog treats for my dogs.
Brooke
I’m now following you on Pinterest.
Brooke
I’ve subscribed to the Blendtec newsletter.
Jessica
My friend has one and I LOVE the green smoothies. They are creamy and delicious rather than the chunky ones I make with my blender now. Please please please!
Jessica
I subscribed to the Blendtec blog!
Jessica
I am now following you on Pinterest- you should do a Blendtec board!
chantall
Tthis soup is delicious! I made it yesterday in a matter of 10 minutes.
Thank you!
Courtney Stokes
I would make some coconut butter… but then quickly make this soup (looks delicious!)!
Christina
What wouldn’t I make with the blender? This recipe, carrot-ginger soup and green smoothies for my marathon training! Yummy.
Stefanie Gladden
I would make an oreo milkshake!!!
Stefanie Gladden
liked on facebook – Ann Lyfe
Stefanie Gladden
subscribed to blendtec’s newsletter
Shannon O.
Regardless of whether I win the blender, I am so totally making this soup … the blender would just make the process that much more enjoyable!
Shannon O.
I also follow you on Pinterest. : )
Stefanie Jane
This looks amazing! I love making soups and salsas and this blender would be awesome for it! Any excuse to dip pita chips into some homemade dip is a great one :)
Stefanie Jane
Also I just followed you on Facebook! Hurray!
Kristen
Tomato soup would be so good to make.
Bree
I would use it to make healthier meals for me and my family, I’d particularly LOVE to have this blender to make more raw desserts, soups, and nut butters!! :)
Bree
Also, I am following you on Facebook and Pinterest, AND I subscribed to the weekly Blendtec newsletter!! :) Thank you!!
Sara Isaacs
I would want to use this for making nut butters. I would think this would be easier to clean than the grain mill we currently use.
Sara Isaacs
I am following via pinterest and facebook. :D
Sara Isaacs
I am subscribed to BlendTec’s newsletter.
Brenda L
I would love to make homemade baby food with this blender!
Brenda L
Following on Pinterest
Brenda L
I subscribe to Blendtec’s blog newsletter
Melissa
I would make soooo many things with that blender! Definitely a bunch of green smoothies, plus a lot of blended soups. Also some of my favorite salad dressings, like vegan ranch (made with tofu) and oil-free balsamic vinaigrette.
Melissa
I’m also following you on Pinterest.
LeAndra
I would try making a nut butter with a new blender. The soup looks delicious too!
LeAndra
I follow via Twitter.
Rebecca
I would make awesome green smoothies ALL DAY LONG!
Lisa
We would make r daily green smoothies :)
As well as creamy, smooth delicious raw food butters, sauces, dressings, spreads, fruit purée and everything else we uncook
Rebecca
I’m following you on twitter @beckers2328
Rebecca
I’m signed up for the blendtec newsletter.
Kareen
I would make a yummy spiced carob pudding blended with bananas, avocado, and cashews. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!