Suffice it to say that my blog is very special to me. It has, at times, been a source of stress, but I suppose that can be said of any relationship. More often than not, however, it is a source of great joy to me. It has brought me many, many things, including a wonderful community of friends, readers and other blog acquaintances. It has helped me hone my skills in the kitchen, with words and language and with a camera. It has opened up some amazing professional opportunities and introduced me to a great many products and ingredients I am not sure I would have discovered otherwise. And it holds me accountable to my daily diet. In short, I love the darn thing and I am very proud of it. So many happy returns of the day, dear bloggy-blog. May we get to celebrate many more together.
To help me celebrate, I enlisted the help of the good folks at KitchenAid. I could go on and on about how much I love KitchenAid products but I will try to refrain from boring you. Suffice it to say that the product we are giving away today is just as great as all their others and is a truly multi-purpose kitchen tool. Their 5-Speed Hand Blender is no simple immersion blender, my friends, and I am seriously impressed with all the functions and the power it contains. I love my big mixer and my big processor, but sometimes I hate the though of getting them dirty when I just need something quickly chopped, whipped or blended. The KitchenAid Hand Blender comes with attachments for all of that: whisk, chopper, frother/beater, and two different blades for shredding, blending and pureeing. And then all you have to do is remove the attachment portion and clean that. Easy Peasy.
I tried out every single attachment and I give them all a thumbs up. I’ve used it to make lattes, smoothies, soup, and whipped cream. And when I discovered I was out of Thai curry paste one day, I whipped some up with the chopper. I adore the chopper attachment, because the blender fits right into the top of the chopper container, keeping the mess to a minimum while still being quite powerful. I honestly think this might be one of the most versatile kitchen tools I own. And now you have a chance to own one yourself! Scroll down for the entry rules.
I’ve never thought to make my own Thai curry paste, it’s one of those things I’ve always bought at the store. But I wanted to make some Thai curry chicken wings (I will share the recipe for those in a few days, because they were amazing!) and discovered that I had only the smallest teaspoon left in my jar. I was reaching for the phone to call my husband and ask him to pick some up, when it suddenly occurred to me that I might have the right ingredients to make my own, or at least a close approximation. It took all of about 5 minutes to make, and of course I made my version without any sugar. It tastes fantastic and is a great sauce or marinade on chicken, fish and tofu. And you can adjust the heat to your own liking, which in our house means pretty darn hot indeed!
I received a 5-speed hand blender from KitchenAid to review. All opinions are my own.
Ingredients
- ¼ to ½ ounce red chilies fresh or dried
- ½ stalk lemongrass minced OR 2 tablespoon bottled lemongrass (I used Gourmet Garden)
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 shallot chopped
- 2 tablespoon cilantro leaves I used frozen cubes
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger OR galangal root I have no idea where to get galangal so I used ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in bowl/container of a food processor, blender or chopper attachment. Blend until it forms a thick paste.
- Use as a marinade for chicken, meat or seafood or as a seasoning in curries, soups and stews.
Mariam says
I so recently found your blog! Thank you for all the work you put into it. Happy Blogday. I’ve already made several recipes. You have such a great thing going for so many people who can’t find foods they want and need. I have just started coaching some folks “new” to low carbing and your ideas make them glow to know they aren’t leaving all their “comfort” behind forever.
My entire kitchen is designed around Kitchenaid appliances. They are the absolute best. We selected them because they are so well designed with all the features we wanted! We cook every night at home, which is why we designed our own kitchen. We rarely eat out because of our food preferences and the fact that we simply enjoy cooking. That nifty Kitchenaid applicance would feel right at home with us and would get to make cauliflower puree (aka fauxtatoes) right off the bat – something we make at least twice a week! We love to make it with a bit of wasabi for a lamb roast….Perhaps it would like to go rving with us, too! What a versatile appliance to take on a road trip!
Mariam
April says
I’ve been needing one of these for a while! I would definitely make a delicious custard! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Misty says
I would whip up my cauli mash, grind my almonds, hip up my quiche. This list could go on forever!
Carolyn says
Sounds delicious! 🙂
Christy says
Congrats on your anniversary! All those attachments look amazing; right now I have the most basic blender and I would love to make smoothies & pesto with it, but it just isn’t happening.
Darlene says
I enjoy your blog and would love to win the hand blender! It would be great for making mayonnaise.
Theresa J says
I would love to make hummus
Karen Olayo says
I would first use it to make baby food! THanks and congrats!
Teresa Larson says
Happy Anniversary & Birthday!!!!! Lover you blog and send others to it all the time. Thank you!!!! you have made the world a Yummier place!
RavieNomNoms says
Anything and everything! But I think I would make some new kinds of peanut butters, almond, cashew etc..
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I would make some creamed soups.
Ginny McMeans says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I will absolutely give it a try. Looks perfect. Happy birthday too!
Diane {Created by Diane} says
Happy Blog Birthday!!!!
JD Northwest says
I’d make up some post workout protein smoothies. And there is a broccoli soup I’ve been meaning to try.
Dawn Dahlgren says
Couldn’t post using the link above. Wow the things a person can make are endless mayo whipped cream soups ect… I have the stand mixer but this little gadget would be awesome!!!! Happy Blog Birthday!!! I stop by everyday to check in on you. Really do love this place.
Shelly says
To make smoothies!
Teresa Bippen says
I would love anything from Kitchen Aid! I can see cream soups in my future. Love yur site as I am a low carber and you have provided so many incentives to bake low carb. Thank you.
stephanie says
I would make my lunchtime smoothies. Congrats (and thank you!) I love reading your posts.
Nelly says
Impressive to think how your life has changed in a little over 3 yrs! You’re an inspiration 🙂 keep up the good work!
Ps- the kitchen aid mixer looks awesome… And on of the few kitchen tool I don’t have 😉
Carolyn says
Hope you win, Nell!
Sheilah Schneider says
Thanks for the chance to win this! I’ve had my KitchenAid mixer for nearly 30 years – it was the first gift my husband ever gave me. If I win this blender, I’ll make your curry paste recipe first. Then… broccoli soup. Yum!
K. Crete says
ps – since the contest entry thing is not working – I would use this remarkable gizmo for everything!! I am now a one person household and with this I would not have to take out the heavy duty stuff from the back of the cupboard and it would expand my current culinary capability!!
Carolyn says
I think I might have messed up the options on Rafflecopter…but I will make sure every entry counts!