Things to Do With a Blender

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Think that blender gathering dust under your counter is just for crushing ice? Think again. Your blender can be used for grinding everything from soup to nuts. Not only is a blender faster than mixing by hand, it can infuse an airy creaminess into sauces and dressings that you can't accomplish with a bowl and a spoon. If cooking isn't your forte, you can use the blender to create homemade beauty products, as well. So dust off that forgotten appliance and start blending.

Soup

Blend a cool summer soup. Betty Crocker suggests combining 4 cups fresh raspberries, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup dry red wine. Blend on high until smooth, chill for two hours and serve. But don't stop there: Just about any cream soup, hot or cold, can be prepared in your blender.

Use your blender to chop nuts. For finely chopped nuts, use the pulse button, chopping a little at a time until the nuts are the texture you need for the recipe. For nut butter, blend on high until the nuts have reached a creamy consistency.

Make your own baby food. According to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, your blender can help you turn fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables into low-cost, all-natural food for your little one.

Treat yourself to a fruit smoothie. Instead of handing over big bucks for a store-bought smoothie, blend your own with the healthy, all-natural ingredients of your choice. Start with a base of fresh or frozen fruit and milk or yogurt, and then add the extras that make it special. Some suggestions: Vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, whole oats and honey.

Blend your way to clean with homemade soap. According to Cole Brothers, using a blender to make soap cuts your mix time by 85 to 90 percent, creates a well-blended mixture and creates a creamier soap bar. One note of warning: If you use your blender to make soap, don't use it to blend food.

According to Betty Crocker, "You're a blender whir away from a traditional French condiment." Betty's recipe for olive tapenade, along with other delicious blender creations like blue cheese dip, hummus or guacamole, are perfect for last-minute guests. Just toss all the ingredients into your blender, combine well and enjoy.

Keep the daiquiris flowing and your party going with a blender. Your blender is the perfect appliance for mixing up daiquiris of many flavors. Surprise your guests with banana, blueberry or Chambord daiquiris.

Make your own bread crumbs. Leave a loaf of bread uncovered on your counter so that it hardens. Use your blender to chop it into crumbs for use in casseroles, soups and puddings.

Let your blender dress your salad. Any salad dressing traditionally mixed in a bowl with a spoon will turn out smoother and creamier if mixed in your blender. And that means your salads will taste better, too.

Use your blender to make homemade creams, lotions, face masks and lip balms. Homemade, all-natural beauty products are fun to make and good for your skin.