I use lemon in a lot of my recipes, sorbert, smoothies, soup, juice, here's why...

Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

1 carrot

1 celery stick

1 tomato

1 clove garlic

1 bouillon cube

1 thin slice lemon

1/4 cup cilantro 

1/2 teaspoon of your favorite taco seasoning 

Small piece of cheese (optional)

3 cups water

1. Place  carrot, celery, tomato, garlic, and seasonings & water into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 5-6 minutes or until steam escapes from the vented lid.
5. If adding optional ingredients, reduce speed to Variable 2.
6. Remove the lid plug.
7. Drop in chicken, jalapeños, beans, corn, and chips.
8. Blend for an additional 10 seconds.

http://texasstateveggiefair.com/

BASIL WALNUT PESTO

I love Pesto and of the many different recipes I've tried this one is my favorite so far, with so much basil in my garden right now I've made quite a few batches of this.

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 medium garlic cloves peeled
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup walnuts
salt & pepper

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1
3. Press start and slowly increase to Variable 7
4. Blend for 1 minute, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

Note: Recipe yields enough pesto to coat 1 pound of pasta.

San Antonio Home and Garden Show

San Antonio Home and Garden Show

TOMATO STRAWBERRY FREEZE


2 Roma Tomatoes
1/4 cup soy, rice, almond or coconut milk
1/3 cup sugar (or other sweetner of your choice, dates, agave, stevia)
1 pound frozen unsweetened strawberries


Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
Select variable 1
Turn machine on & quickly increase speed to Variable 10 then high
Use tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
In about 30-60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form.
Stop machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!

http://www.texasvegfest.com/

I will be demonstrating the VITAMIX at this event. 

Come by if your in the area, there will be lots of good info, food & fun!

Green Tomatillo Sauce

6 Large tomatillos washed and husks removed
1-2 serrano peppers
1/2 cup onion
2 medium or 1 large avocado
1 bunch of cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Place all ingredients in Vitamix container.
Start on Variable speed1, increase to 1,0 then high, blend for about 1 minute, using tamper if necessary.

Green Mint Sorbet

3/4c White grape or apple juice concentrate
1 handful spinach/kale/collards
2-3 fresh mint leaves
1/2 banana
1/2 apple
2-3c ice
Blend on High 45-60 seconds (look for the four mounds on top)

www.vitamix.com/household/infocenter/greensmoothie.pdf

Health benefits of Kale

Kale is a form of cabbage and related to broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.  It is very low in calories and contains more nutrients than most other greens.  Kale is an excellent source of vitamin K, which is essential for bone and blood health, and helps by mediating coagulation and anticoagulation.  Sulforaphane is a chemical found in kale and also sprouts and broccoli.  A study published in Drug Discovery Today found that sulforaphane may help stop breast cancer cells from growing.  The University of Texas conducted a study and found that a diet rich in kale may prevent bladder cancer by up to 29%.  Kale may also help ovarian cancer too.  The Nurse’s Health Study observed that women whose diets provided the most kaempferol, a flavonoid found in kale, had a 40% reduction in risk of ovarian cancer.  By supplying the body with plenty of calcium, copper and manganese, kale may help absorb iron and prevent bone loss. 

For a delicious green take on a traditional smoothie, try the Kale and Pear Smoothie made in the Vitamix 5200. Using just 1 cup of kale, this green smoothie provides twice the daily requirement of Vitamin A and seven times the recommended amount of Vitamin K.

Lemon Basil Sorbet

1/2 cup white grape juice concentrate
1/2 banana
1/4 inch slice of lemon with peel
3-5 fresh basil leaves
2 cups spinach
About 2 cups of ice

 Place all ingredients into Vitamix container & secure lid.
Select variable speed 1, turn machine on & quickly increase speed to 10 then high.  Use tamper to press ingredients into the blades, run it for about 30-60 seconds. The sound of the motor will change and four mounds will appear.
Serve and enjoy.

Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream

1 cup half & half
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 Dates  *(remove pits)
2 pkgs nestle cocoa mix
1/2 avocado
about 2-3 cups of ice

Place all ingredients into Vitamix machine, secure lid. Start on variable speed 1 increase to 10 then high, blend until formation of four mounds forms on top. Enjoy!
Optional: throw in a few carrots or other veggies of your choice,
Try adding peppermint extract & semi-sweet chocolate chips for a Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream!

Orange Carrot Delight

1/2 cup orange juice concentrate
1 whole orange peeled, (just taking off orange rind leaving as much of the white (pith) as possible)
1/2 coconut milk, or half & half
5-6 baby carrots
1/4 cup powered milk
1 cup of ice

Place all ingredients in VM container, blend on high for about 90 seconds

Pistachio pudding Ice Cream

Pistachio Spinach Pudding Ice Cream

½ cup half & half or dairy of your choice

1 box pistachio pudding mix ( sugar free)

½ banana

¼ cup almonds (optional)

1 cup fresh spinach

2-3 cups of ice

Start VM on variable speed 1 increase to 10 then high, blend till four mounds form on top, add more ice if needed.

I sometimes also add with the spinach some kale or Brussels sprouts.

GREEN SMOOTHIE

2 cups  spinach

1 leaf of kale

2 cups grapes

1 thick slice of pineapple

1/2 banana

1/2 green apple

1 1/2 cup ice

A little sweetner of your choice, ( honey, fruit juice concentrate…)

Blend for 2 minutes, if you want a thinner drink add less ice or more grapes.

If you want to change it up a bit you can add chard, collards,cucumber, cabbage or celery.

Red Chile Sauce

7 chile pods rinsed

1 clove garlic

1 chicken bouillon

½ tsp olive oil

¼ apple

1 cup water


Rinse chile pods, remove stems, place all ingredients in blender. 
Start on variable 1, increase to 10 then blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until all one color

I've used this recipe for Huevos Rancheros, tamales, enchiladas, or just as a dip.
Enjoy!